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Psalm 84, one of the sweetest psalms, reflects the joy of the holy assemblies of the Lord’s house.  To once again stand in the courts of the Lord was the soul-longing of the Psalmist.  So deep and insatiable was his pining that he could not be silent; he cried out for God and His house:  “My heart and my flesh crieth for the living God” (v. 2b).   He wept, sighed and pleaded for the privilege.  “Some need to be whipped to church, while here is David crying for it” – C H Spurgeon.  May we learn precious lessons as we continue the study of this meaningful psalm.

Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God  (v. 3)

“The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want” (v. 1)

Psalm 23 is one of the most oft read, if not the most beloved of the psalms. Commonly known as “the Psalm of psalms,” this precious portion is often read to sick or afflicted souls, to comfort, to encourage, and to revive their faith. Taking the title from the first verse – “The LORD is my Shepherd,” many appropriately call it the “Shepherd’s Psalm.”

David, the author of the psalm, was once a shepherd boy tending the flocks of his father. Under a metaphor borrowed from scenes of pastoral life, with which he was familiar, David described God’s providential care in leading, refreshing, guiding, protecting and preserving his life. Having experienced God’s gracious dealings, David could confidently rely upon God’s love and perpetual favour.

“Earth contains no sight so refreshing to us as the gathering of believers for worship. Those are sorry saints who see nothing amiable in the services of the Lord’s house” – Spurgeon’s Treasury of David.  How do we view our worship of God each week?  What does going to church mean to us?  Come Sunday, what thoughts cross our minds as we approach God in the sanctuary? 

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters” (v. 2)

As a shepherd of his father’s herd, David understood well, the glorious privilege of being a sheep under the care of Jehovah, the Great Shepherd. In verse 2, he continued his expressive illustrations concerning the protective care he enjoyed as a sheep in the flock of God.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”

The words, “green pastures” picture for us the lush verdant grass which carpets portions of the hills and vales of Israel. In this conducive environment, the flock can safely rest and feed. However, “green pastures” did not just happen by chance. If the flock were to enjoy green pastures amid the brown sun-burned wasteland, the caring shepherd had to clear rough, rocky land, tear out roots and stumps, plough and prepare the soil. He also needed to check out beforehand, the route to take and the places to rest his sheep.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” (v. 4).

The good shepherd leads his sheep to still waters and rich pastures. He watches diligently over them and conducts them safely through the deep and dark vale where dangers abound – flash floods, falling rocks, predators. Because the shepherd is present, all is well; his presence brings comfort to the flock. In the same way, the psalmist felt comforted by the presence of the Good Shepherd. Even when he passed through a valley dark and gloomy as the shadow of death, where surprises and calamities of every kind threatened him, he could confidently say: “I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life” (John 8: 12)

Light in the Bible is first of all physical, the very basis of life on the earth.  God’s creation of light is in the first recorded event: “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness” (Gen. 1: 3-4).

Psalm 23 - The Shepherd’s Psalm (Part IX)
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (v. 6).

The Psalm opens with the proud, joyous statement, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” To be fully owned and cared for by the Good Shepherd is a great blessing. The sheep has flourished under its owner’s attentive care. Now the Psalmist closes with the equally happy declaration, “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” This affirmation comes from a heart overflowing with joy and gratitude in recounting the past, and looking with glad anticipation to future eternal glory in the Shepherd’s presence.

Psalm 23 - The Shepherd’s Psalm (Part VII)
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (v. 5)

David the psalmist continues to delight in God’s loving-kindness and watchful care. In this verse, the sheep finds comfort when the shepherd administers soothing oil upon his head.

It was a customary practice in ancient times to honour a guest by anointing his head with oil (Lk. 7: 4). From early Egyptian literature down to late Arabic medical works, oil is mentioned as a valuable remedy. Oil was commonly used as medication for the sick and liniment for bodily pain. The good Samaritan used oil mingled with wine to dress the wounds of the man who fell among robbers (Lk. 10: 34). The early tent dwellers found oil useful; their thin clothing, the heat and the sand produced weariness and irritation which the oil relieved.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2)
“And when he (Herod) had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel” (Matthew 2: 4- 6).

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” (v. 4).
 
In the first three verses of the Shepherd’s Psalm, the satisfied sheep seems to be “boasting” about the excellent care it received from its diligent owner.  Now it turns to address the Shepherd directly.  With the introduction of “I” and “Thou” the discourse has become a most intimate discourse of deep affection.
 

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me” (v. 4a)

“He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (v. 3).

Sheep under the care of the Good Shepherd enjoy great blessings. Their Master delights in them; He spares no effort to provide them with the finest pastures and clean water, to shelter them from storms, to protect them from ruthless enemies and the diseases and parasites to which sheep are so susceptible.

“He restoreth my soul”

“He restoreth my soul” literally means, “He causes my life to return,” or “He quickens me.” As the sheep of His pastures, God’s people should be happy and contented. Then why this seemingly contrary statement? Why the need for restoration? Surely, one who is in the care of the Good Shepherd could never become so distressed as to need restoration. Does not the Lord preserve and keep us, both body and soul? How do we explain this paradox?

LESSONS ON THE EMMAUS ROAD
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24: 27)

The passage in Luke 24: 13-32 gives us a fascinating account of the Lord’s gracious ministry to His two dejected followers on the road to Emmaus. Luke gives the name of only one of them - Cleopas (v. 18).

The two travellers were in deep conversation over the dramatic events of the past few days: “Was Jesus truly the Messiah? What do we make out of His death, and now the latest news of His resurrection? What are we to do?” As they walked along, “… Jesus drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him” (vv. 15-16). The “Stranger” wanted to know the reason for their sad discourse.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (v. 5)

Sheep under the care of a dedicated shepherd are happy and satisfied. In this verse, David the psalmist, continues to praise his Good Shepherd for His tender and providential care.
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” (v. 5a)

In the shepherd’s mind, the word “table” actually portrays the green hills and valleys wherein are the grazing grounds for his flock. Interestingly, these sheep feeding ranges are referred to as “mesas” meaning “table”- in Spanish as well as in Kiswahili, (language of the East Africans such as Kenyans, Tanzanians). This word is commonly used to refer to the high, flat-topped plateaux of the continent, for example, the famous Table Mountain, near Cape Town. It is possible that David was referring to the green pastures amidst the hills of Israel.

“Your Refuge from the avenger of blood” (Josh. 20: 3)

Six cities - three each on the East and West of the Jordan River - were designated as places of protection for persons suspected of manslaughter. The six cities were among the 48 assigned to the Levites (Num. 35: 6-7). Joshua gives the names of these cities : “And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation” (Josh. 20: 7-9).

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (v. 6)

Throughout the psalm, the Psalmist has been focussing on the attentive care of his Good Shepherd. His Master is loving and kind, ever watchful over the welfare of the flock. Thus, His sheep can dwell comfortably, feed peaceably and enjoy all of life’s benefits; each one can confidently declare, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” (v. 1). Such a caring and kind shepherd bestows grace and blessing upon the flock.

“Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun” (Eccl. 11: 7)

Light was the first thing God created after the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1: 3).  It is a natural symbol for what is good, pleasant, useful and true.  While darkness is the universal symbol and condition of sin and death, light is the symbol of life and holiness.

“Your Refuge from the avenger of blood” (Josh. 20: 3)
 
Under the law of retribution in ancient Israel, the wilful murderer was to be put to death: “He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death” (Ex. 21: 12).  But for one who killed a man “unawares and unwittingly”(Josh. 20: 3), the Mosaic law graciously appointed places of refuge from the avenger of blood till the cause be fully heard by the magistrates: “And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment” (Num. 35: 12).  These magistrates had authority to deliver the slayer up to the avenger of blood, if found guilty.

One characteristic that marks us out as God’s children is our delight in His presence.  “Children are to be in the presence of their father; where the King is, there is the court; where the presence of God is, there is Heaven” – Spurgeon.  

In Psalm 84, David, the psalmist, expressed his deep yearning for the sanctuary.  He deemed it a great blessing to be in the holy assembly with God’s people.  As we continue our meditation of the psalm, may each one of us cultivate that same holy desire for the house of the Lord.

Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.  10 For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.   11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.  12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee (vv. 9-12).

“Two things have I required of Thee; deny me them not before I die:   Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:  Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the Name of my God in vain”(Proverbs 30: 7-9)

Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the LORD?

Let your light so shine before man, that they may see your good works and glorify the Father which is in Heaven” (Matthew 5: 16).

Used figuratively, “light” is commonly used to describe spiritual awakening, including the illumination that floods all the faculties of the soul: intellect, conscience, reason, and will.  It is a beautiful representation of the state of those who are brought to the saving knowledge of the Gospel. 

Thanksgiving

Our hearts are grateful to Almighty God for seeing us through to our second year in the ministry of our church. Berith was formally registered with the Registrar of Societies on 12th May 2007. Just last month, on 16th April, our charitable status was approved. The delay was due probably to irregularities in the management of certain charitable organisations which the Commissioner of Charities had to look into. Thank God for enabling us to fulfil all righteousness and to obtain the necessary legal requirements so that we can carry on the work of the ministry unhindered. Truly, it is of the Lord’s mercies that we have been so blessed.

We have, in these verses, the story of a birth - the birth of the incarnate Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Every birth of a living child is a marvelLous event. It brings into being a soul that will never die. But never since the world began was a birth so marvelLous as the birth of Christ. In itself it was a miracle – “God was manifest in the flesh” (I Tim. 3:16). The blessings it brought into the world were unspeakable - it opened to man the “Door of Everlasting Life.”

In reading these verses, let us first notice the TIMES when Christ was born. It was in the days when Augustus, the first Roman emperor, made “a decree … that all the world should be taxed.”

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6: 8).
Micah was a prophet of God living in the dark days of Judah. A contemporary of Isaiah, Hosea and Amos, he prophesied mainly in Samaria and the surrounding areas of Judah, particularly Jerusalem. Though his office covered the reigns of the kings of Judah, namely Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, most of Micah’s prophesies were made during the rule of the wicked King Ahaz.

Pride holds an inflated view of self.  This evil sin is manifested when we overrate or speak highly of ourselves, despise others, or set ourselves up as judges of others. Augustine defined it as “the love of one’s own excellence.”

Pride is an enemy to the peace of mankind.  It is often the cause of conflicts, broken families and interpersonal relationships.  One who is proud often displays his folly both in speech and conduct.   
In Proverbs 8:13, we read that with pride, follows three other evils, namely “… arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth.”

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

The epistle of Hebrews was addressed to Jewish Christians - possibly “a mixed multitude” - to warn them against apostasy to Judaism.  Sorely tried in their afflictions and persecutions, the believers were in danger of falling away.  Exhorting them to remain steadfast, the writer, Apostle Paul, went  into an extended account of the nature and effects of faith.  Paul’s design was to : 1) show that faith or confidence in the Divine promises, has been in all ages, the means of perseverance in the Christian’s walk with the Lord;  and 2) encourage the suffering believers to trust in the Lord in the midst of their afflictions.

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6: 8).

Micah’s severe warnings seemed to convict the people’s hearts. As one man, they sought the prophet’s help to appease Jehovah’s wrath; they inquired: “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord?” We shall offer to the Lord our best: sacrifices of the choicest kind according to the law – “calves of a year old” (Lev. 9: 2-3), then the next choice offering – “thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil.” They were willing even to offer their sons, their “first-born” – “the fruit of my body.” “The people, thus arraigned, bursts in, as men do, with professions that they would be no more ungrateful; that they will do anything, everything - but what they ought … They would offer everything, (even what God forbade) excepting only what alone He asked for, their heart, its love and its obedience”– Albert Barnes.

It is the privilege and duty of every believer in Christ to live victoriously. No man can ever reach noble Christian character, without sore cost in pain and sacrifice. The crowns are not put upon men’s heads through the caprice or favouritism of any king; they are the reward of victorious achievement. We can make life easy, in a way, if we will - by shirking its battles, by refusing to grapple with its antagonisms; but in this way we never can make anything beautiful and worthy of our life. We may spare ourselves costly service and great sacrifices, by saving our own life from hardships, risks, and pain - but we shall miss the blessing which can come only through the losing of self. “No cross - no crown” is the law of spiritual attainment. “He who has never a conflict - has never a victor’s palm, And only the toilers - know the sweetness of rest and calm.”

Therefore God really honours us, when He sets us in places where we must struggle. Yet He never makes life so hard for us, in any circumstances, that we cannot live victoriously through the help which He is ready to give. This lesson applies to temptation. Not one of us can miss being tempted - but we need never fail nor fall in it: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (I Cor. 10: 13). Not one need ever say, “I cannot endure this temptation, and must yield and fall.” Christ met the sorest temptations - but He was always victorious; and now this tried and all-conquering Christ is by our side as we meet and endure our temptations, and we cannot fail when He is with us.

The lesson applies also to whatever in our environment makes life hard. Sometimes we find ourselves in places and conditions of living, in which it seems impossible for us to grow into strength and beauty of character. This is true of many young people in the circumstances in which they are born - and in which they must grow up. They find about them the limitations of poverty. They cannot get the education they seem to need - to fit them for anything better than the most ordinary career. They envy other young people who have so much better opportunities. But these limitations, which seem to make fine attainments impossible, oft’times prove the very blessings through which nobleness is reached. Early hardship is the best school for training men. Not many of those who have risen to the best and truest success began in easy places.

Sometimes it is poor health which appears to make it impossible for one to live grandly, at least to do much in the world. But this is not an insuperable barrier. Many people who have been invalids all their life, have grown into rare sweetness of spirit, and have lived in the world in a way to make it better, and to leave influences of blessing behind them when they went away. Many a “shut-in” has made a narrow room and a chamber of pain - the centre of a heavenly life, whose blessings have gone far and wide.

Home should be life’s best school. What the conservatory is to the little plant or flower which finds warmth, good soil, and gently culture there, growing into sweet loveliness; home should be to the young life that is born into it, and grows up within its doors. But not all home-life is ideal. Not in all homes, is it easy to live sweetly and beautifully. Sometimes the atmosphere is unfriendly, cold, cheerless, chilling. It is hard to keep the heart gently and kindly in the bitterness which creeps into home-life. But no matter how sadly a home may fail in its love and helpfulness, how much there may be in it of sharpness and bitterness, it is the mission of a Christian always to be sweet, to seek to overcome the hardness, to live victoriously. This is possible, too - through the help of Christ.

Many of us find ourselves in uncongenial conditions in which we must stay, at least for the time. But, whatever the circumstances, we may live Christianly. God will never allow us to be put in any place in which, through the help of His grace - we cannot be godly and beautiful Christians. Limitations, if we rightly use them, only help to make our life more earnest, more beautiful. The very hardness in their condition, is that which brings out the best qualities in them, and produces the finest results in character and achievement.

This lesson applies also to experiences of misfortune, adversity, or sorrow. Paul speaks of himself in one place as “sorrowful - yet always rejoicing.” His life could not be crushed, his joy could not be quenched, his songs could not be hushed. We must all meet trial in some form - but one need never be overwhelmed by it. Yet it is very important that we should learn to pass through our sorrow as Christians. We cannot help weeping. But our tears must not be rebellious. “May Thy will be done” must breathe through all our sobbings and cries, like the melody of a sweet song in a dark night of storm.

Sorrow hurts some lives. It embitters them. It leaves them broken, disheartened, not caring more for life. But this is not the Christian way. We should accept sorrow, however it may come to us, as bringing with it a fragment of God’s sweet will for us, as bringing also some new revealing of divine love. We should meet it quietly, reverently; careful not to miss the blessing it brings to us. Then we should rise up again at once, and go on with our work and duty. Some hands are left hanging down after grief has come. “I do not care any more for life,” men are sometimes heard to say. “I have no interest in my business, since my wife died. I want to give it all up.” But that is not victorious living. Sorrow absolves us from no duty, from no responsibility. God’s plan for our life goes on - though for the life dearest to us, it has ended. “Let us dry our tears and go on,” wrote a godly man to his friend, after a sore bereavement. That is the true Christian spirit.

Thus all Christian life should be victorious. We should never allow ourselves to be defeated, in any experience which may come to us. The grace of Christ can take the most unlovely life - and change it into beauty. Godliness is impossible to none, where the grace of God is allowed to work freely and thoroughly.

(Adapted from Grace Gems)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”
(Hebrews 12: 1-2)

“Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath” (Proverbs 21: 24)

A haughty person makes it his great business to promote himself; he hates and opposes all that stand in his way, despises others, and is not able to bear the least slighting or affront.  The pride of his heart is reflected in the eyes, or by his looks: “An high look, and a proud heart” (Prov. 21:4a).

Sadly, even Christians exhibit strong symptoms of this evil malady.  The early Christian churches were not spared.  The pride of gifts was the besetting sin of the Corinthian church; the pride of legalism the sin of the Galatian church, the pride of vain philosophy of the Colossian church.

Pride is found in every human heart.  Commonly known as the “master” sin, pride is an affront to the Lord.  God hates pride and will bring down every manifestation of it.  This truth is reflected in Isaiah 2: 17: “And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.” 

 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

To encourage them to persevere in their faith, the apostle Paul reminded the Jewish Christians in the opening verses of Chapter 12 that they were running a race of faith.  Many will be the obstacles and distractions along the way.  There will be the conflicts within and without, times of doubts, moments of fears.  There will be worldly snares to be avoided, manifold temptations to be resisted and sinful habits to overcome.  True faith, however, endures to the end.

“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober”
 (I Thessalonians 5: 5-6)

Thank God for the beginning of another year.  We have, ahead of us, 361 days (if the Lord wills).  One day works out to 1,440 minutes (86,400 seconds).  How much will we give for our work, studies, families, recreation, sleep?  How much will we give to our Master?   How much will we give to serve others? 

“I just don’t have time!” 

We are not accustomed to think of weakness - as a condition of blessing. We would say, “Blessed is strength. Blessed are the strong.” But Bible beatitudes are usually the reverse of what nature would say. “Blessed are the meek;” “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you.” The law of the cross lies deep in spiritual life. It is by the crucifying of the flesh - that the spirit grows into beauty. So, “Blessed are the weak - for they shall have God’s strength,” is a true Scriptural beatitude, although its very words are not found in the Bible.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.   For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?   Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels
(Mark 8:34-38)

The words of our Lord Jesus Christ in this passage are peculiarly weighty and solemn.  They were spoken to correct the mistaken views of His disciples, as to the nature of His kingdom. But they contain truths of the deepest importance to Christians in every age of the Church.  The whole passage is one which should often form the subject of private meditation.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.  
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 
Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?   Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels
(Mark 8:34-38)

Any man may lose his own soul.  He cannot save it.  Christ alone can do that.  But he can lose it, and that in many different ways.  He may murder it, by loving gin and cleaving to the world.  He may poison it by choosing a religion of lies, and believing man-made superstitions.  He may starve it, by neglecting all means of grace, and refusing to receive into his heart the Gospel.  Many are the ways that lead to the pit.  Whatever way a man takes, he, and he alone, is accountable for it.  Weak, corrupt, fallen, impotent as human nature is, man has a mighty power of destroying, ruining, and losing his own soul.

God has implanted emotions into the human nature.  When provoked, it is natural for us to respond in anger.  

On many occasions, the Lord Jesus was angry with the religious leaders of His time.  In anger, He cleansed the Temple precinct, driving out those who “sold and bought” including the money changers (Matt. 21: 12-13; Jn. 2: 14-15).  But unlike our Lord’s righteous indignation, our anger often stems from a sinful cause; we react in a negative way which leads to sin.  How do we keep our anger in check so that we do not sin against the Lord?   

1.  Know the dangers of uncontrolled anger

a.  An angry person “ dealeth foolishly … and … is hated”
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated (Prov. 14: 17)

As the dying moments of the old year slip away, what are our thoughts?  Can we say that we have done what is required of us?  Have we fulfilled our work and family responsibilities?  What have we achieved? 

Is it well with my soul?

Whatever the thoughts may be, we, as believers, must not overlook the spiritual aspect of our lives.  How is our walk with the Lord?  Have we been faithful in our spiritual duties?  Have we stood firm in our faith and witness?  How have we ministered to others?  Can we truthfully say: “It is well with my soul”? 

<<A Song of degrees.>> When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.  2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.   3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.  4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.  5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.   6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him (Psalm 126: 1-6)

Psalm 126 is a thanksgiving song sung by the Israelite returnees set free from Babylonian exile.  This is one of fifteen psalms with the prefix, “A Song of Degrees.”  Why this prefix?  How should we view it?  Opinions differ.  But the most probable explanation is that these fifteen psalms were sung by bands of pilgrims on their way to the yearly feasts in Jerusalem (Ps. 122: 4). Psalms 121 - 123, 125, 127, 128, 132 – 134 were appropriate for use on such celebratory occasions. 

28th December 1920 – 20th April 2009
(Part I)

Monday 20th April 2009 was a sad day for Singapore’s Bible-Presbyterian churches as well as all the outreaches established through them. That early morning, the Lord called His faithful servant, Rev Timothy Tow Siang Hui, to His glorious Home above where “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying” nor “pain” (Rev. 21: 4). At the vigil services held at Calvary Pandan B-P Church, and at the funeral, B-P pastors, Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) students, members and friends mourned the loss of the beloved founder of the B-P Movement, principal of FEBC, and fearless soldier of the cross of Jesus Christ.

28th December 1920 – 20th April 2009
Rev Tow was one who firmly believed that all of God’s servants must serve till the end of their lives. For him, there was no such thing as retirement. For more than fifty years, he faithfully fulfilled His Master’s call until the day he was called Home to glory on 20th April 2009.

Rev Tow’s life has many lessons for us who follow after in faith. As we consider further his life, let us learn from the fine example of this beloved teacher and pastor.

– MISSIONARY TO CHINA (1859 – 1936)

During his 46 years on the mission field,  Jonathan Goforth set up 31 mission stations, trained 61 native Chinese pastors, and brought to Christ 13,000 Chinese people.   One of the most well-known of China’s missionaries, Goforth was admired by many, but disliked by some for his “emotionalism.”  Despite poor health, he remained active well into the 1930s, especially in Manchuria.

– MISSIONARY TO CHINA (1859 – 1936) -

Jonathan Goforth was the first Canadian Presbyterian missionary to China.  It is said of the “flaming preacher” that “when he found his own soul needed Jesus Christ, it became a passion with him to take Jesus Christ to every soul.”

– Missionary to China (1859 – 1936) -
Escape from China

In early 1900, all seemed well as the Goforths laboured among the Chinese.  Then came the sudden storm.  In June, golden-haired Florence, their daughter, died after a serious attack of meningitis. 

 – MISSIONARY TO CHINA (1859 – 1936)
Evangelising the Chinese

The Goforths employed many different strategies of reaching the lost; one was the “open house” method.   The Chinese were curious about the missionaries’ way of life and so, to reach out, the missionary couple would give tours through their home.  They also used the traditional method of good, old Gospel preaching and Jonathan soon became known as the “Flaming Preacher.” 

– MISSIONARY TO CHINA  -
(1859 – 1936)

Fired by his zeal for foreign missions, Goforth went to churches to plead the cause of China.  To enforce his message, he used various methods – Scripture, charts, pictures, logic. 

- Reformer and Founder of the Scottish Presbyterian Movement -
The 16th Century Reformation was the greatest event in the history of the Church since Pentecost.  The Church owes much to the leaders of the Reformation who boldly risked their lives to uphold the truths of the Bible.  Many were martyred for their fearless stand against the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. 

- Reformer and Founder of the Scottish Presbyterian Movement -

Imprisonment

The garrison of St. Andrew’s castle, bombarded from without and assailed by plague within, capitulated on terms that were not kept. Knox, together with the other prisoners, was carried off to slave in the French galleys. For nearly two years,  he endured  tremendous hardship on board. While this was a time of great physical suffering, it was also a time of great strengthening spiritually.  Though English intervention secured his release 19 months later,  Knox suffered permanent ill-health as a result of the imprisonment.

Contributions to the Reformation (contd…)

In April 1538, Cranmer made Ridley the Vicar of Herne in Kent.  It was here that he boldly preached against certain Romish practices.   In his Farewell, he shared that his preaching at Herne was not “after the popish trade, but after the Gospel of Gospel of Christ.”  However, he still held on to the Romish doctrine of Transubstantiation.

It was also at Herne that he finally saw the light.  In this quiet parish one day, he came across a copy of the famous Treatise of Bertram or Retramn, a 9th Century monk and reputed theologian.  Bertram’s Treatise was a solid refutation of the erroneous doctrine of Transubstantiation, ably argued out of Holy Scriptures.  Thus confronted, Ridley was led to search the Scriptures and the writings of the early Fathers.  After a period of meticulous study, Ridley concluded that the papal doctrine of the Mass was “neither Scriptural nor in accordance with the teachings of the (church) Fathers, but was blasphemous and deceiving.”  Ridley communicated his findings to Cranmer, and both men were convicted that the doctrine was novel and heretical. 

One of the distinctive marks of the Bible-Presbyterian Church is the commemoration of Reformation Sunday.  The greatest event in the history of the church since Pentecost, the Reformation in the 16th Century was another outpouring of the Holy Spirit as God guided the leaders of the Reformation in Western Europe to a right understanding of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible – in short, a return to the historic Christian faith as taught by the Word of God.  Hence, the Protestant watchword, “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1: 17).  Let us remind ourselves to hold on to the “faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). 

It is appropriate, on this special occasion, to honour those who have faithfully defended the faith to the extent of paying with their lives.   Today, we consider the life of Nicholas Ridley who led the English Reformation.