Starting at 8 a.m. this morning, more than 12 inches of snow is expected to fall through tomorrow, and due to the severe cold, a Winter Hazard Warning has been issued for the New York and New Jersey area.
As a result, the 8 a.m. worship service will be held in person, while the second and third services will be livestreamed online. Children’s and youth worship services will also be held online, which can become a meaningful opportunity for families to worship together at home.
Because snow is expected to continue through Monday morning, early morning prayer will not gather in the sanctuary but will be observed individually at home. Because temperatures will be drop below freezing, road conditions are expected to be dangerous, so this decision was made for everyone’s safety.
Life often brings unpredictable circumstances. And sometimes, in moments like these, we experience unexpected grace from God.
For those who feel disappointed or miss being physically present at church today, it might be a good idea to come by tomorrow and help with snow removal together. If time allows, we could shovel snow and even share a simple meal of hot noodle soup. After heavy snowfall, the next day often arrives with a world that feels brighter, clearer, and renewed.
There are also unpredictable events that bring fear and hardship. A few weeks ago, President Trump sent special forces to detain the president of Venezuela and bring him to the United States. Just last week, he suggested the possibility of using military force to make Iceland U.S. territory, throwing Europe into turmoil.
Domestically, what began as the deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal records has expanded into random detentions that now include permanent residents and even U.S. citizens. As a result, large-scale protests have erupted in major American cities, and a deep sense of anxiety is spreading as people wonder where this country is heading.
Today’s sermon centers on Isaac, an immigrant, who prospered in the land, only to have Abimelech, king of the Philistines, repeatedly block the wells—the very sources of life. He was essentially told to leave.
Yet Isaac kept digging wells. When one was blocked, he dug another. When that one was blocked, he dug again. Eventually, the hostility ceased, and Isaac declared:
“Now the LORD has given us room, and we will flourish in the land.”
(Genesis 26:22)
This is the song of Rehoboth.
After this, the same King Abimelech—who had acted unjustly—came to Isaac with his military commander and sought a peace treaty, saying, “We saw clearly that the LORD was with you.”
In other words, after God dealt with Abimelech, he came to his senses and returned to Isaac, seeking peaceful coexistence.
Scripture does not explain this in detail, but something remarkable stands out: whenever Isaac dug a well, water appeared.
We do not know whether Isaac had special knowledge of underground water streams, or whether the water itself followed Isaac wherever he went. What is clear is this: when Isaac dug, water flowed.
Meanwhile, Abimelech—who did not believe in God—was busy doing only one thing: filling in the wells Isaac had dug.
The United States is a nation of immigrants. Among all immigrant communities, Koreans can take holy pride in this truth: wherever Koreans go, they are people of faith who first establish churches.
During the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Koreans suffered some of the greatest losses. Their livelihoods were destroyed. Yet they dug wells again—and again.
Today, not only Korean immigrants but all immigrant communities in America face a crisis. Even so, people of faith will continue to trust God’s promises and dig wells again.
God will repay the injustice. And in the end, we too will sing the song of Rehoboth.
