Lord’s Day, Vol. 8 No. 40

(1) God Will Take Care of You – Born Upon a Bed of Affliction

Civilla D. Martin (1869-1948) was confined to a sickbed. Unable to leave the house, she composed the words of a song one Sunday afternoon in 1904 that expressed her faith amid trial. When she showed her husband the words after he returned from a preaching mission, he sat down at the pump organ in their home and composed the tune – appropriately called Martin.

This hymn, born upon a bed of affliction, became a source of comfort for many who bear the burdens of illness and hardship.

1. Be not dismayed whate’er betide,

God will take care of you;

Beneath His wings of love abide,

God will take care of you.

Refrain:

God will take care of you,

Through every day, all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

2. Thru days of toil when heart doth fail,

God will take care of you;

When dangers fierce your path assail,

God will take care of you.

3. All you may need He will provide,

God will take care of you;

Nothing you ask will be denied,

God will take care of you.

4. No matter what may be the test,

God will take care of you;

Lean, weary one, upon His breast,

God will take care of you.

Misfortune and hardship are the rule, not the exception, of life. Job’s famous epigram reminds that “man is born unto trouble” (Job 5:7). But just as an eagle uses the wind and storm to reach greater heights, so the child of God, on wings of faith, rises above life’s hardships to new heights of strength and holiness.

The now familiar story is told of a man that he was reviewing with the Lord  scenes of his life portrayed as footprints along a sandy beach. Usually there were two sets of footprints – his and the Lord’s. But as he looked closer, he noted only one set of footprints along the very rugged places, where suffering, sorrow or defeat prevailed.

He said to the Lord, “You promised me that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has been only one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “My child, I have never left you. When you came to those perilous times when it was almost more than you can bear, I carried you in my arms. When you have seen only one set of footprints I carried you.

We may be tempted to feel alone, forsaken, and forgotten. But let us remember that the Lord is with us always. God does not promise that He will deliver us from trial but He promises that He will give grace that will carry us through.

So, “be not dismayed whate’er betide”; be assured that “God will take care of you.” 

[Edited and extracted from Songs in the Night by Henry Gariepy]

(2) Daily Bible Reading Program

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

We are into the last quarter of the year of grace 2020. It is timely for us to review our progress in the Reading Through the Bible In One Year Program. I write to encourage you to persevere in this spiritual endeavour. 

We are in the home run. A certificate will be presented to members and friends who will complete their reading by year end. If you are lagging behind, I encourage you to make special efforts to catch up. 

As we take time to meditate upon God’s Word daily, it enables us to know the will of God and we may be inclined to obey it that our way may be prosperous. The word “prosperous” literally means “to push forward”, hence to break forth, come (mightily), go over, be good, be meet, be profitable. It describes a life that brings glory and honour to God. The words “success” means “to act with insight, to be prudent, to give insight, to teach, to prosper, to consider, to ponder, to understand, to act prudently, to act with devotion, behave wisely.” God’s Word indeed is able to grant us wisdom for daily living. There is no other book whereby we can gain true wisdom to carry us through life.

“The genius of the Protestant faith has always been that the Holy Spirit speaks through the Scripture directly to the individual.” [Carl McIntire]

May the Lord grant us His grace to press on with our reading for His glory. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee