Lord’s Day, Vol. 3 No. 26

(1) My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Ray Palmer (1808-87) experienced hardship early in life, having to leave school at the age of fifteen to work in a dry-goods store in Boston. Thereafter, he came to faith in Christ. Later, his faith led him to complete school, graduate from Yale, and go on to serve in the ministry.

Following his studies, he was overcome with illness and loneliness. At the age of twenty-one, in the midst of despair, he sought comfort by writing a poem. His composition came as a spontaneous expression of a deep inner experience of the presence of Christ and a realization of what Christ meant to Him and to the world. Palmer had no idea that his words would be used as a hymn.

The poem was brought to the attention of Lowell Mason, one of America’s great hymn-tune composers. He wedded the words to the now familiar tune Olivet, sending Palmer’s poem to become one of Christendom’s beloved hymns. The hymn is a prayer of faith. It acknowledges Christ as our Saviour and source of grace and inspiration. It petitions for the Lord’s cleansing, strengthening, guidance, and comfort.

The words also voice our prayer for a pure and changeless love, and to be kept faithful.

 

My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine;

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

O let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

 

May thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire;

As thou hast died for me,

O may my love to Thee

Pure, warm and changeless be,

A living fire!

 

While life’s dark maze I tread,

And griefs around me spread,

Be Thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away;

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside!

[Extracted and edited from Songs in the Night by Henry Gariepy].

 

(2) Blessed Hope Devotions (www.blessedhope/category/devotions, now available on Blessed Hope Mobile App)

We have completed the study of JC Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark, Luke, John and have begun on 16 June 2015 with the study of Matthew for our daily devotions. We trust that you have been reading these devotions on the Life of Christ and have been spiritually enriched by them.

JC Ryle (1816 – 1900) left an indelible mark in his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. He was always anxious to help others discover the treasure of God’s Word. It led him to share, with a wider circle, than his family and parish, the fruits of his own Bible study through the printed pages. He divided the text into short passages and expounded it in “picked and packed” words, emphasizing just two or three points in the texts.

And for the benefit of the reader, JC Ryle tried to place himself in the position of one who is reading aloud to others and must arrest their attention, if he can.

These volumes have received favourable reviews in the evangelical press, and it was evident that there was a readership for this kind of devotional commentary. JC Ryle possessed a mind of extraordinary clarity and was able to expound the Scriptures in a way which ordinary believers found helpful.

 The volumes are the original version using the King James Bible and have been re-typed and presented as a daily devotion. We believe they are a rare gem, one of its kind, available on the Internet today. Do take time to study them for your spiritual edification.

 

(3) Gay marriage legalised across US

Front page on The Straits Times yesterday, reported that the US Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage is a nationwide right. President Barack Obama praised the ruling and tweeted, “Today is a big step in our march towards equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry, just like anyone else.” The unthinkable has become a reality. God’s judgment is nigh.

Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Luke 17:28-30 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Dear readers, may we be watchful and be in service for the gospel’s sake (Mark 8:35), know the signs of the times and pray and look for the blessed hope, the coming of the Lord to receive His church to glory (Titus 2:11-13).

 

Yours lovingly,

Pr. Lek Aik Wee