Lord’s Day, Vol. 2 No. 3

(1) A Note of Thanksgiving

Thank God for bringing Rev. Dr. Tow Siang Hwa, our pastoral adviser, last Lord’s Day to administer the Lord’s Supper and minister God’s Word from Psalm 23.

His vivid description of walking through the valley of the shadow of death where dangers abound perhaps from wild predators or rough terrain brought much comfort to our hearts. Indeed, with the Lord as our Shepherd, we will fear no evil. He takes care of us in life’s valley to protect us from harm and danger.

Dr. Tow was unable to come in December 2013 due to a fall. Thank God for granting him recovery. Do continue to uphold Dr. Tow in prayer.

(2) Special Prayer Requests

There are a number of our brethren and their family members going through beds of affliction. You would have read about them from our prayer list. Do remember them in prayer and extend help to them as the Lord would lead and enable you.

(3) Your Requests and God’s Peace

6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

The stress of daily life often overwhelms the earthling. We can get stressed out about everything. These verses remind us of forfeited blessings when we fail to discipline our hearts to seek God’s help at the throne of grace.

Consider the efficacy of prayer. Consider your prayer life and the stress of having no relief for the worries that plague our minds when we do not pray. There is hope. The child of God can bring his petitions before his heavenly Father and be assured His heavenly Father will take care of them.

God promises that when we make our request known to Him, He gives to us His peace. What is God’s peace? It is God’s promise that He will take care of our needs brought before Him. Jesus explained thus:

7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10. Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:7-11)

We define this peace as freedom from anxiety. Having the assurance in our heart that our Almighty God will surely do us good to make a way for us because He loves us by an infinite love! More than that, this peace is a willingness and patience to wait upon God, to see His good hand at work. And so it means casting of our burdens boldly at the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16) and having the faith in God’s ability to help us.

I find this particular chorus – “I know the Lord will make a way for me” very encouraging. Often, it still my heart in times of anxiety.

I know the Lord will make a way for me. (2x)
If I look to Him and prayer,
Darkest night will turn to day.
I know the Lord will make a way for me.

Into The Day

I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
I didn’t have time to pray.

Troubles just tumbled about me
And heavier came each task.
Why doesn’t God help me, I wondered,
He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I tried to come into God’s presence,
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
“Why child, you didn’t knock.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on grey and bleak,
I called on the Lord for the reason—
He said “You didn’t seek.”

I woke up early this morning
And paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.¹

May the Lord help us to begin each new day with Him by seeking Him early in prayer! Amen.

Yours lovingly
Pr Lek Aik Wee