Lord’s Day, Vol. 2 No. 36

(1) Revival Hymns and Choruses Reprinted 

Thank God for 300 copies of the Revival Hymns and Choruses (RHC) delivered on 3 September 2014 to Blessed Hope BP Church. We have been praying for God’s guiding hand in the reprint of the RHC for over one year. It is with much thanksgiving that we see the ‘fruition’ of the end product. Today, with much rejoicing, we use the hymnals for worship. Echoing the words of the psalmist in Psalm 85:4a & 6 that the Rev. Dr. SH Tow, our pastoral advisor, marked in the preface of the hymnal:

“O God of our salvation

Wilt thou not revive us again:

That thy people may rejoice in Thee?”

How apt it is! May we rejoice in the Lord in the singing of hymns, choruses and spiritual songs.

A supply of another 700 new copies were made to the Far Eastern Bible College (100 copies), Gethsemane BP Church (300 copies) and Jesus Saves Mission (300 copies) as replacements for worn out copies. All praise and thanks to God.

Worshippers who wish to obtain personal copies for family and corporate worship, please see Pr. Lek.

(2) Blessedness of Trusting in the LORD (Psalm 119:145-176)

Although the psalmist recounted the many trials that befell him, he was able to testify that out of it all, the Lord delivered him. Likewise, the Lord will also deliver us when we trust and follow Him, come what may!

God never fails. The psalmist, despite the affliction that he had to endure, told us of the unfeigned hope, the renewed love, the abiding peace and effervescent praise in his heart. This is the portrait of a godly man.

(a) With Unfeigned Hope (v145-152)

“I cried with my whole heart…save me…I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word” (v145a, 146a, 147). The psalmist brought his petitions with tears before his Father in heaven. He was comforted and assured of God’s kindness and love toward him that gave strength to his heart for the new day. He was assured of God’s justice to vindicate the misgivings that he had faced (v149). Meditating upon God’s Word with agonizing prayer invigorated his heart to hope in God.

(b) With Renewed Love (v153-160)

“Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law…Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies” (v153, 157). The psalmist chose to obey God’s Word with renewed zeal. In times of his deepest pain, the psalmist resolved as Job did “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15a).

“Consider how I love thy precepts…” (v159a). There was a renewed love for the Word of God. The psalmist was determined to live according to God’s Word for “thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever” (v160).

(c) With Abiding Peace (v161-168)

“Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word…I rejoiced at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil…thy law do I Iove…Seven times a day do I praise thee…Great peace have they which love thy law” (v161, 162, 163b, 164a, 165a) – this is a tremendous testimony from the psalmist. He served God by keeping His Word – when we love God’s law, when we seek to walk by it with thanksgiving, great peace comes to our hearts. This peace is priceless and most precious. The heart is calm, restful, quiet and composed despite the circumstances.

(d) With Effervescent Praise (v169-176)

The psalmist testified by faith, “My lips shall utter praise…let my soul live and it shall praise thee” (v171a, 175a). As he sought the Lord, acknowledging his own inadequacy and insufficiency (v176), He knew that God’s grace would keep him. Resting in that assurance brings an effervescent praise to his heart.

Conclusion

Dearly beloved, may the Lord grant us unfeigned hope, renewed love, abiding peace and effervescent praise as we consecrate and surrender our lives for Him. Amen.

Yours lovingly in Christ,

Pr. Lek Aik Wee