22 & 23 August 2026 (Pastoral Page) KEEPING CLOSE TO GOD IN A SEASON OF OPPRESSION

by Asst Ps Elaine Ng

Over the past year, many of us have been encouraged by our pulpit series, “More of God in Every Season.” Through the Psalms, the prayers of Jesus and Paul, and the spiritual exercises practised during services and in our study guides, some have found a renewed prayer life, a deeper awareness of God, and even a new vocabulary for expressing our hearts to Him. Our recent focus on the “Season of the Ordinary” has also reminded us that God is present not only in the extraordinary, but in the mundane moments of everyday life.

I too have received and learned much. From the stories shared within our church community, it seems that many of us are experiencing more of God in our different seasons. For this, we give thanks and praise to God. Jesus reminds us, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5).

This weekend, we move into the “Season of Oppression”—those seasons when we experience distress, trials, injustice, disappointment or prolonged difficulty. Sometimes such seasons are brief but deeply impactful. At other times, they can be long and painfully arduous. And sometimes, we may not see resolution in this lifetime. We live in the tension of the “already but not yet,” trusting that God is at work even when we cannot see what He is doing.

I experienced such a season around the time I discerned that it was time to leave my previous employment and serve in church. Looking back now, I can see those three years as a season of testing and preparation, through which God refined and moulded me. But while I was in it, it certainly did not feel that way!

Like some K-dramas, there were betrayals, false accusations, power struggles and attempts to undermine others. I felt the sting of people I had supported and helped nurture turning against me. There were moments when I cried out, “God, where are You? Can’t You see that this is wrong? You can stop this! Why won’t You intervene? Please help us!”

Yet, repeatedly, I sensed the Lord asking me a simple question: “Do you trust Me?”

That question stopped me in my tracks. It lifted my eyes from the circumstances around me and brought me back to God. He is sovereign. He remains in control. His timing is not mine. And vengeance belongs to Him, not me.

The words of Jesus in Matthew 5:44 became especially challenging: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I had to confess that I could not find it within myself to love, forgive or pray for the person who had caused so much upheaval.

But here, Jesus does not give us conditions or exceptions. As I wrestled with His command, another question seemed to follow: “Do you love Me?”

Jesus says in John 15:9–10, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love.” Loving Christ means allowing His Word to shape our response—even when obedience is difficult.

So I learnt to pray, “Lord, I do love You, and I want to obey You. Please help me love my enemy. Turn this person’s heart towards You. May this person one day acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour.”

That became a prayer I continue to pray to this day.

During that season, the Psalms became a much-needed lifeline. Psalms such as 27, 43 and 69 gave words to emotions I could barely articulate. My Care Group also faithfully prayed for me, especially when difficult situations arose. Through Scripture, prayer and the support of God’s people, God sustained me.

Perhaps you are currently in your own season of oppression. You may be facing conflict, injustice, illness, disappointment, financial pressure, strained relationships, uncertainty or simply a situation that seems to have no end.

Do not withdraw from God. Draw closer to Him.

Bring your honest emotions to Him. The Psalms teach us that faith does not require us to pretend everything is fine. We can lament, question, plead and cry out—while still choosing to trust God.

Stay close to His Word, especially when your circumstances tempt you to doubt His goodness. Let Scripture give you words when you have none. Let God’s people walk with you. And when obedience is costly, remember that our first calling is not to win, retaliate or control the outcome, but to remain faithful to Christ.

We may not know how our season of oppression will end. But we know who holds us through it.

“Do you trust Me?”

May our answer, by God’s grace, increasingly be, “Yes, Lord. Not my will, but Yours be done.”