1. A Faithful Attitude in Times of Tribulation
Pastor David Jang has repeatedly emphasized in his sermons and lectures how believers should live through suffering and tribulation. His core message is that hardship and difficult circumstances will inevitably come, and that those who believe in Jesus must respond differently than the world. He often cites Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:17—telling us to anoint our head with oil and wash our face when fasting—to illustrate that we should not merely appear ragged and pitiful in times of tribulation, but instead stand firm and holy. Rather than merely putting on a gloomy face and highlighting our sorrows outwardly, we must remain steadfast within, trusting in God.
Pastor David Jang insists that “those who believe in Jesus should have a different attitude toward suffering.” While worldly people are dominated by fear and worry, believers in Christ ought to possess the power to drive out such fear. He teaches us to remember that all tribulations will eventually pass, and how we live during these times makes a significant difference in the aftermath. Pointing to the global implementation of “social distancing” during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, he makes us reflect on just how much we had entangled ourselves with other people rather than living close to God. When people could no longer move about freely or meet for fellowship, paradoxically, it provided more time and opportunity to draw near to God.
From Pastor David Jang’s perspective, this type of restricted environment is a “chance” given to us. When physical distancing from people is required, we should move closer to God instead. He contends that the anxiety, loneliness, and frustration we feel in the world can be alleviated before God, and especially that we should use these times to read, hear, and meditate more deeply on the Bible. He underscores this point by pointing to the example of the Lenten season, which commemorates the suffering of Jesus and invites believers to contemplate the meaning of the cross. The purpose of these forty days is for us to participate in Christ’s sufferings and to experience the grace of salvation that comes through them.
Additionally, Pastor David Jang likens our study of Scripture to a cow’s four stomachs, pointing out that cows bring up their food and chew the cud again at night. In the same way, we should repeatedly “chew over” the Word of God. Rather than simply reading the Scriptures a few times and moving on, we must imprint them deep in our hearts, continually taking them out to meditate on and practice them in daily life. Through this, our souls and hearts can be filled and enriched by God’s Word. He uses the term “heavenly cow,” encouraging us to develop the habit of repeatedly tasting and internalizing Scripture—just as a cow chews its cud—to grasp its deeper meaning.
In this context, he especially recommends studying the Book of Romans. The Gospel theology of the Apostle Paul is concentrated in Romans, which systematically addresses the core elements of the Christian faith: the essence of the Gospel, God’s righteousness, human sin and salvation, justification, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the life of the church. Pastor David Jang encourages believers to immerse themselves to the point that they can say, “Thanks to this time of tribulation, I have mastered the Book of Romans.” He points out that he has taught Romans in various settings in the past and that believers should diligently study those lecture materials at home—and also teach them to their children in an accessible manner. Because children today possess a high intellectual capacity, it is important to distill the key points and firmly plant core doctrines of salvation, like those found in The Four Spiritual Laws.
He also underscores how critical it is to establish the “basics”—for children to be deeply rooted in the fundamentals of the Gospel and salvation. In a period when going out freely is difficult, it is an excellent time to revisit the foundations of faith and gain fresh insight into Scripture. Jeremiah 21:8 states, “Tell them that this is what the Lord says: ‘I have set before you the way of life and the way of death.’” According to Pastor David Jang, this suggests that this time can simultaneously represent both the path of life and the path of death. There is not only a risk of physical harm but also the possibility of a more serious social or worldly crisis. Yet the more the environment pushes us to the edge, the more we should fix our gaze on God. That is Pastor David Jang’s counsel.
But how exactly can we know God or draw close to Jesus? Pastor David Jang answers that the way is through the Word. He references Romans 10:6–8, reminding us that we do not need to go up to heaven or down into the abyss (Sheol) to know Jesus Christ. Jesus is already among us, and Scripture is the “closest path” to knowing Him.
This idea is conveyed in Romans 10:8—“The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.” Even without Jesus physically showing Himself to us, through the Bible, we can fully know Him and walk the path of faith. Therefore, reading Scripture aloud, hearing it, engraving it in our hearts, and proclaiming it with our lips are all ways of “seeing” Jesus and of spreading the Gospel throughout the world. As Ecclesiastes 5:2 warns, we should not speak rashly before God. Rather, we must listen more attentively to His Word.
Pastor David Jang sums this up by saying, “Don’t spend this dark and tribulation-filled era in despair; rather, treat this time of isolation as a God-given retreat.” He reminds us that while the three days of fasting and the falling of scales from Saul’s eyes on the road to Damascus was a crucial moment for the Apostle Paul, the three years he spent in Arabia afterward laid the foundation for his theology and ministry (Galatians 1:15–17). Similarly, stepping away from worldly activities for a certain period—devoting ourselves solely to the Word and prayer and meeting God in solitary—is a key way to deepen our spiritual lives and receive new vision.
Yet if we must remain at home and practice social distancing, there is also a risk of squandering our time by succumbing to all kinds of online temptations. Pastor David Jang strongly warns, “Do not rummage through the trash,” likening this “trash bin” to Gehenna (hell)—referring to pornographic material, worthless online information, and inflammatory content that stirs up gossip or anger. Instead, he urges believers to strive for holiness during this season and to cleanse their minds, spirits, and bodies (2 Corinthians 7:1). Just as Paul urged the Corinthian church to “purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God,” Christians must train to resist such worldly temptations.
Ultimately, Pastor David Jang’s teaching on how to approach faith in tribulation is quite clear. First, when hardship strikes, we should not merely lament outwardly in sorrow or fear; instead, we must maintain a dignified and bright spiritual demeanor befitting God’s people. Second, we should seize times of social distancing or external constraints as opportunities to draw near to God. Third, we must come to a deeper knowledge of Jesus through His Word, filling our hearts with Scripture, while guarding against the world’s immorality and temptations. Fourth, by focusing on and studying books like Romans and the Psalms, we should revisit the Bible repeatedly—like chewing cud—and fully internalize it as spiritual nourishment.
Though tribulation will surely pass, Pastor David Jang assures us that the spiritual sustenance and “muscles” we build during this period will not be wasted. As we approach the Lenten season or any other particular church season, we should not treat it as a mere time for “mandatory fasting and discipline.” Instead, we must earnestly remember the suffering of Jesus, contemplate the essence of the Gospel, and thereby progress toward greater spiritual maturity.
He also offers practical health advice—now that we have more time at home, we should perform push-ups, squats, and exercises using a door-frame pull-up bar on a daily basis. Living a life of faith involves recognizing the deep connection between spirit and body. Spiritual health directly relates to physical health, and a healthy body can foster a robust spiritual life. In this sense, staying physically and mentally strong provides a stronger foundation to offer more vibrant worship and service before God.
Above all, Pastor David Jang urges believers to meditate often on Isaiah 43, which says, “Do not fear,” carrying it with them especially in times of tribulation. While these words were given to Jacob and Israel, they are equally valid for believers today:
“But now this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’” (Isaiah 43:1)
This promise reminds us that, under God’s sovereign rule, we are already redeemed, and that even if we pass through deep waters or fiery trials, we will never sink or burn. If we also remember Isaiah 43:4—“You are precious and honored in my sight”—we can embed deep in our hearts the truth that even in tribulation, God is upholding us with His great love. This certainty allows believers to cast off fear and worry, fixing our eyes on the Lord alone. Pastor David Jang views this as an issue of “identity.” When we lose our spiritual strength, the first thing to vanish is our sense of who we are in God. However, once we realize that “we are the Lord’s” and that “Immanuel, God with us,” stands by our side, no circumstance can truly shake us at our core.
Such a posture of faith amid tribulation ultimately rests on the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the salvation Christ accomplished through suffering, the idea of finding hope in suffering would be empty. But when we reflect on Jesus’ suffering and gaze upon the cross, we discover the hope of resurrection, enabling us to exchange fear for faith. Pastor David Jang has frequently emphasized this in sermons and gatherings, announcing that he would especially share Jesus’ teaching in the Olivet Discourse as Easter approaches.
For him, “Olivet” is both the sacred place from which the Lord’s words were proclaimed and a spot akin to the Mount where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered. Though we may not be able to hold a literal retreat in such times, we can encounter these truths through our midweek and Sunday services, as well as our personal devotions. All these exhortations stem from Pastor David Jang’s ongoing study and reflection on the attitude believers should maintain during hardship. Indeed, the times when our faith shines the brightest are not during ease, but rather when, amid tribulation, we cling to God and immerse ourselves in His Word.
2. Spiritual Growth Based on the Word
Pastor David Jang repeatedly underscores that to truly know God and Jesus Christ, we must rely on God’s Word. Our Christian walk is not founded merely on emotional or mystical experiences; rather, it begins with a clear understanding of God’s will and Christ’s teachings as revealed in the Bible, the foundational text of the faith.
His frequent emphasis on the Book of Romans stems from Romans’ comprehensive focus on the essence of the Gospel, God’s righteousness, the sinfulness of humanity, and our redemption through Christ. The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans encapsulates the core teachings of the Christian faith—a priceless treasure that every believer should thoroughly comprehend. Pastor David Jang once delivered lectures on Romans in the United States in 2003, and he confesses that rereading his lecture notes recently has again deeply moved him. Hence, he urges believers to study these materials, encouraging parents to explain them simply so their children can grasp them too.
He highlights Romans because many of today’s societal issues—such as immorality, violence, greed, and idolatry—are directly connected to human depravity, as already laid bare in Romans 1. In Romans 1:18 and onward, Paul vividly depicts why God’s wrath comes upon humanity and how people descend into corruption and depravity. Pastor David Jang states that through this passage, we must recognize, “We were, by nature, objects of God’s wrath.” God detests sin and judges a world steeped in evil, but at the same time, He has opened a way to salvation through Christ. Without this knowledge, it is difficult to understand the various tragedies and problems in the world. But once we grasp the logic behind “God’s wrath,” “human sin,” and “salvation through Jesus Christ” as Romans explains, we can begin to interpret today’s worldly chaos through a biblical lens, says Pastor David Jang.
He also suggests reading the Psalms. The Book of Psalms covers the full range of human emotions—joy, sorrow, despair, hope, loneliness, comfort—and captures the depth of human experiences. As believers grow older, they naturally read the Psalms more frequently. Since the Book of Psalms has 150 chapters, reading just two to three each day allows one to finish in a month, and within its pages, we often find a psalmist’s sentiment that resonates with our own situation.
Pastor David Jang encourages us to read, memorize, and deeply meditate on the Psalms to “find our place.” “Depravity” means straying from the rightful place, deviating from a proper relationship with God. Hence, we need Christ’s salvation. Jesus is our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), bridging the gulf between God and humanity so that we can return to our rightful place in Him.
Spiritual living centered on the Word of God does not merely accumulate knowledge. Pastor David Jang attests that Scripture has the power to transform our spirit, soul, and body. When we revere God and cling to His Word, we naturally pursue holiness and purity, which in turn fosters not only spiritual health but also physical well-being. Believers who only pray in a detached manner are missing something essential. We are called to manage our bodies as well, in line with God’s created order. Pastor David Jang specifically recommends doing 200 push-ups, squats, and door-frame pull-up exercises to help believers personally experience the close connection between body and spirit.
He also encourages the church community to cultivate a culture of studying the Word together, teaching each other, and proclaiming it. Children today, he believes, possess significant intellectual potential, so they need a well-structured and robust Gospel education beyond the basics of Sunday school. We should clearly teach The Four Spiritual Laws and the foundational doctrines of salvation, guiding them to personally encounter Jesus through the Word.
Pastor David Jang does not forget to warn us to guard ourselves and our children against what he calls “the trash bins of the internet.” This phrase vividly portrays how destructive it can be to consume provocative or immoral online content. Reminding us of 2 Corinthians 7:1—“Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness”—he stresses the urgent need to heed Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthian church, especially in today’s culture saturated with such temptations.
Spiritual growth rooted in God’s Word, then, involves shedding our fallen nature and striving for holiness. By delving deeply into the Gospel message in Romans, empathizing with the human emotions in the Psalms, and reading Scripture in its entirety, we come to comprehend God’s sovereignty and His redemptive plan. In this way, we discover that we are God’s creation and belong to Him (Isaiah 43:1). Regardless of the era, we find assurance of unchanging truth and peace in Him.
In particular, Pastor David Jang repeatedly urges believers to hold close the promises of Isaiah 43: “I have created you, I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Far from being directed only at the Israelites of a past historical moment, this promise applies to all who have received salvation through Jesus Christ. Since God Himself proclaims, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; you are mine,” our identity and worth are determined by His sovereignty. Once we submit to that sovereignty, we gain the confidence that even if we pass through water or fire, we will not drown or be burned (Isaiah 43:2). Isaiah 43:3 and onward shows God declaring, “For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” This is precisely why we can live without fear: the Lord preserves and guards us as our Savior.
In short, Pastor David Jang’s concept of spiritual growth based on the Word is a practical journey that includes thoroughly studying Romans, contemplating the Psalms, and seeing all Scripture in the grand context of God’s plan for salvation. Moving beyond individual practice, it encompasses the home and church communities, where we share the Word, pray together, and put it into action—thus building one another up. As a result, our faith deepens and becomes more resilient.
3. The Path to Salvation and Reconciliation
Pastor David Jang’s ultimate aim is “the path of salvation and reconciliation.” This journey involves repenting of our sin and believing in Jesus Christ, thereby restoring our relationship with God. The essence of the Christian faith is that while we, as sinners, were bound for destruction, Jesus Christ’s cross and resurrection opened the way for us to live a new life.
Central to this process is our identity. While we were originally objects of God’s wrath due to our sin, we are declared righteous because Jesus paid the price for our sin, and we are thus restored as children of God. Romans explains this truth in detail, while the Psalms poetically recount the psalmists’ experiences of salvation—sometimes poignantly, other times majestically. Isaiah’s prophecy shows how God continues declaring, even in the despair of Babylonian captivity, “You are mine,” demonstrating that salvation is realized in real history.
Pastor David Jang interprets this as evidence of God’s “sovereignty.” Since God is the Creator of all, He rightly holds sovereignty over His creation. Even if humanity tries to flee in sin, God’s providence continuously works to bring us back. Jesus Christ, the one mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5), reconnects the severed path. Therefore, Paul’s declaration, “We have peace with God” (Romans 5:1), reveals that the ultimate state for those who believe in Jesus is reconciliation with God.
This path of “reconciliation” certainly refers to each believer’s personal salvation but also extends to the church community and the entire world, inviting all to be saved. Even though evil runs rampant in various sectors of society, Pastor David Jang emphasizes the hope that “anyone in Christ can become a new creation.” Despite Romans 1 portraying humanity’s darkest sins, it does not end in despair because Romans 1:17 proclaims that “the righteousness of God is revealed” in Christ, presenting us with the power of the Gospel.
Hence, salvation and reconciliation described in Scripture are not merely “religious rituals” but provide a new lens for understanding history and reality. The Bible clarifies why the world is so broken by sin and corruption, and how these can be resolved through Jesus Christ’s cross. Pastor David Jang calls Scripture “the barcode that unlocks the secrets of the world.” No matter how complex worldly problems might seem, approached from a biblical standpoint, the origin of sin becomes evident, and the cross of Christ emerges as the clear solution.
Therefore, our responsibility is to go beyond personal reconciliation with God and to proclaim the Gospel to the entire world. Jesus Himself gave us the Great Commission—“Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Pastor David Jang teaches that deeper understanding of Romans, genuine meditation on the Psalms, and broader insights into the Bible’s redemptive story naturally propel us to share the Good News.
In that process, Pastor David Jang insists, “We must first turn away from sin.” The space where Jesus should reign cannot be filled with arrogance, greed, immorality, or deceptive thoughts. Describing this as “rummaging through trash,” Pastor David Jang warns that modern people are easily consumed by endless streams of worthless, sensational, or immoral content from the internet and media. In such a dark age, it is all the more urgent that we illuminate our souls through the Word, pursuing holiness.
Ultimately, the path to salvation and reconciliation is opened through our confession of faith in Jesus Christ and our obedience to His Word—a path that should continually bear fruit in our lives. Pastor David Jang reiterates this in many services, sermons, and lectures. Personal piety, family devotion, church community worship and service, and outreach to society and the world are all connected to the core of Christian faith: “salvation and reconciliation.”
He turns again to Isaiah 43, highlighting how, even in Babylonian captivity, God declares to the Israelites, “I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Although they were in dire despair, God still addressed them as “precious and honored” (Isaiah 43:4). This vividly exemplifies how God proclaims salvation to people who are suffering in sin and bondage. Just as He once delivered Israel from Egypt, God promises deliverance even when His people are in captivity. This teaches us that, in any age, hardship for God’s people still contains God’s redemptive plan, and His promise never vanishes.
Jesus Christ is the pinnacle of this salvation history, fulfilling the mystery of “Immanuel, God with us.” When asked, “Why do we need Jesus?” Pastor David Jang replies, “To know God, to receive eternal life and salvation, and to secure the promise of heaven.” We cannot escape eternal ruin apart from Christ, but through Him, we are boldly brought back to God and restored to our original identity (our rightful place).
Thus, the essence of Pastor David Jang’s message is summed up as “examine your identity and your place.” Even if we face tribulation, suffering, or social distancing measures, we can turn such moments into a spiritual retreat—laying down our lives before Jesus, devoting ourselves to Scripture and prayer, and examining our hearts. Just as Paul was fundamentally realigned during his three years in Arabia after his Damascus Road encounter, we too can discover deeper encounters with God in solitude.
Such a message is far from abstract. Pastor David Jang frequently quotes Scripture, references his Romans lectures, and stresses the importance of the Psalms, providing concrete instructions for implementation. He even outlines simple approaches to reading Scripture at home—such as reading a few psalms each day as a family—and urges parents to share the Gospel with their children.
Pastor David Jang also encourages individuals to care for their health. Because spirit and body are inseparable, even if we stay home for prolonged periods, we should exercise regularly and take steps to practice holiness and self-control in our lifestyle. By doing so, we will be physically and spiritually equipped to share the Gospel with the world once tribulation passes.
In conclusion, the “path of salvation and reconciliation” proposed by Pastor David Jang is not mere wishful thinking. It is the central theme of the Kingdom of God, woven throughout the entire Bible—from Isaiah to the Gospels, from Romans to Revelation—and perfectly embodied by Jesus Christ Himself. Walking this path, we hear God’s voice proclaim, “You are mine” (Isaiah 43:1), “You are precious and honored in my sight” (Isaiah 43:4), and “I have summoned you by name; you are mine,” and at that moment of belief, we belong to God and receive new life in Christ.
Pastor David Jang calls this outcome “reconciliation”—where our broken relationship with God due to sin is restored, resulting in true peace and joy in our inner being. As this expands to our families, churches, and society as a whole, the social and historical significance of Christianity is revealed. Ultimately, we lead others to know Christ, so that God may be glorified as more people experience salvation and reconciliation. This is the “ultimate goal of salvation and reconciliation” Pastor David Jang envisions.
Summing up his message:
- Though tribulation passes, how we live during it matters, so believers in Jesus should handle it differently than the world.
- We must dedicate ourselves more deeply to Scripture (especially Romans and the Psalms), understand the essence of the Gospel, and pursue holiness, distancing ourselves from sin.
- Knowing we are reconciled and saved through Jesus Christ, we reaffirm our true identity and rightful place, seeking to manifest God’s kingdom in our context.
- To fulfill these aims, we keep our body and spirit healthy, nurture each other in family and church communities, and continue spreading the Gospel.
Finally, verses like “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1), “See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death” (Jeremiah 21:8), and “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart” (Romans 10:8) become calls to action for today’s believers. Pastor David Jang has consistently emphasized that the path offered to us is the path of life. If we choose it, we can drive out fear even in times of tribulation, be filled with Scripture, trust in Christ’s salvation, and enjoy reconciliation with God.
Everything in Pastor David Jang’s message converges into one final point: Even amid tribulation, do not be afraid. Instead, draw closer to God, arm yourselves with His Word, and live a renewed life through the reconciliation and salvation found in Jesus Christ. Though the world may be in chaos and face countless crises, God never retracts His promise, “I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” In fact, in times of hardship, we must examine ourselves all the more, grow through Scripture and prayer, and step into our role as salt and light to the world. This, Pastor David Jang affirms, is the very heart of the Gospel and serves as an indispensable spiritual guide for believers in a season of tribulation.