Welcome to 2021!
We’ve been reading 1 Samuel over Zoom together during the break. The faith of Hannah, the intimacy between God and Samuel, the failures of Saul, God’s incredible promises and grace to David, and so much more have been instructive and encouraging.
Samuel’s words to Saul in 15:22 are especially piercing:
Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has also rejected you from being king.”
It is a fearful thing to disobey the living God. May we flee disobedience no matter what it costs us. Praise God that His promises to David have come true for us in Jesus such that we really can obey Him from the heart and we really can bring Him delight through our grace-empowered obedience! May we do so more and more, with his help.
The beginning of the new quarter for Stanford is almost here -- January 11. Freshmen and sophomores have the choice to be back on campus for the first time since March. A contingent of Stanford Christian students will reside together in a neighborhood in North Carolina. Others continue to pursue jobs and internships for the first half of 2021, hoping to return to a more normal Stanford in the fall.
Please pray for the safety of the students in Christian Union both on campus and off—and pray even more for their faith! May they grow in their knowledge of, love for, and joy in Christ this quarter. And may they steward this new quarter and new year well.
So many Stanford students have never experienced the incredible joy of knowing and following the Lord Jesus. Please also pray that in this season of continued isolation that God would reach out to these students through His body and His Spirit.
And some extremely exciting news: Ministry Fellow Abigail Carreon is pregnant with a baby girl, due early summer! Praise God! Please pray for the health of this precious baby and Abigail. Please also pray for David and Abigail as they prepare to welcome their first child!
So grateful to God for your partnership.
Warmly,
Justin Woyak
Senior Ministry Fellow
Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates on how to pray for Christian Union's work, please email prayer@christianunion.org.
