Hope Thou in God
Dr Tow Siang Yeow
(President of Board of Directors, Far Eastern Bible College, and Elder of New Life Bible- Presbyterian Church)
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance” (Ps 42:5).
Natural as well as man-made disasters have made headline news in recent times! The Lord in Matthew 24:6-8 tells us: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
A number of earthquake-prone countries have been hit by earthquakes in the recent past. Bram in Iran was hit by a severe earthquake in 2003 with the loss of 40,000 lives. The city itself was reduced to rubble.In December 2004, a giant tsunami (huge waves caused by an underwater earthquake) hit the coastline all around the Indian Ocean, leaving 250,000 people dead. Many of the coastal towns and villages were destroyed!
On May 5, 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit the Irrawaddy Delta of Myanmar. Flood waters covered practically the whole country, leaving 134,000 people dead. Survivors were left with little food and no drinking water!
As if that was not enough, a powerful 7.8 Richter Scale earthquake demolished Sichuan city in China on May 12, 2008 and toppling 80% of all buildings with a death toll of 50,000— one of the worst disasters to hit China in recent times!
Turbulent times affect the Middle East with desultory conflicts and wars between smaller nations such as between Israel and the Arab countries.
The scourge of pestilences due to organisms such as AIDS, SARS, Ebola viruses, and the dreaded H5N1 Bird Flu virus that kills not only chickens but humans as well, has infected many in various countries worldwide, causing fear and consternation.
Terrorism, sadly becoming a way of life for frustrated and misguided elements, has raised its ugly head time and again to the dismay of law-abiding countries! September 11, 2001, the defining moment of terrorism was at its apex, when the Twin Towers of New York were destroyed by suicidal bombers who portrayed it as something decent and desirable! But the rest of the world were overwhelmed by the dastardly enormity of the crime—thousands of innocent lives were snuffed out in a matter of minutes!
The latest incident of terrorism on an international level began on November 26, 2008 when terrorists specially trained in marine warfare subdued large institutions such as hotels in Mumbai. Each terrorist was armed with seven magazines of 50 bullets, eight hand grenades, one AK47 assault rifle, an automatic loading revolver, plus rations. These terrorists went on a rampage from November 27-30, 2008, attacking three main targets: the Taj Mahal Hotel, the Oberoi Trident Hotel and the Nariman Home (for Jews). Apparently, the attacks had been planned to the minutest detail. Sixty hours later, however, the counter- attacking Indian commandos overcame the last remaining terrorists, and the fight was over. Two hundred-odd innocent civilians were killed in the assault on Mumbai and 20-odd policemen and soldiers also died fighting the terrorists.
Singapore’s first terrorist fatality was Ms Lo Hwei Yen, a 28 year-old lawyer. She was ruthlessly killed while being held a hostage. Later, the body was brought back to Singapore where more than 100 family members and friends attended the wake. There was not a dry eye as relatives and friends delivered touching tributes.
Postscript: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” Oftentimes we ask ourselves this question. For in mundane situations, we too face problems which seem hopeless and irresolvable: in marriages, retrenchments, joblessness, broken relationships with family and other members, in illness—terminal or in extremity. Many cling on to hope, seeking help from all and sundry except God Almighty!
Beloved, we are living in perilous times! But does not Psalm 23:4 assure us, “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.”
And in Psalm 46:1-3, the Psalmist reassures us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”
Beloved, hope thou in the Lord!
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Christmas Thanksgiving Letters
From Adelaide, Australia
We have just been given a lovely notebook computer by an anonymous donor. The computer we were using was the property of ‘Faith & Freedom Ministries Inc’ which we rejoice has been passed to Rev Errol Stone to continue as the Lord enables him. Prior to the ‘change over’ the email became inoperative due to viral infection.
Regarding the ‘love gift’ from the Session of True Life BPC and the designated offering; thanks be to our gracious Heavenly Father for all of His mercies to us. The past months have been so hectic it was nigh impossible to budget accordingly—I just purchased what was absolutely essential, then with many ongoing expenses we looked to the Lord.
To this day all our needs have been supplied: Oh why do I fear and fret? He is such a good Father—the God of all comfort and mercies.
I would take this opportunity to thank each praying soul for their part in the recovery God has granted John. It has been quite amazing and one cannot but help admire these strange acts of God. May they add to our sanctification.
I thank God for your ongoing love and concern for both of us. Recently a kind deacon called me whilst in Adelaide and encouraged us; although a visit at that stage was regrettably not seasonal.
Medically John is continuing to make progress each day, the largest injury is to the brain but that is still showing signs of improvement.
I was comforted many times in the knowledge that God had given John something to do for ‘the cause of Christ’ right up to his illness. May we both live to glorify Him and enjoy Him until by God’s grace we see Him.
At this time of the year Revelation 12:7 has such magnificent import.
Thank you dear session members, church members, praying members from both of us who have never deserved the least of God’s favours—but now have all things in Christ Jesus.
God’s blessings be yours as you press on to that incorruptible crown which fadeth not away.
Most sincerely and gratefully
John & Christine MacKenzie
16 December 2008
From Yangon, Myanmar
Thank you so much for your practice of love and your love gifts. Thank God I have received the Christmas gift and designated offering of 802000 Ks (SGD1000) on Saturday. Thanks. We all (the orphanage) are really very happy and thankful to you (True Life BPC) so much because you really practise love. Our Orphanage Ministry has been running well and doing well day by day, month by month and year by year until today. Praise the Lord and glory be to His name forever. Amen.
Let me share with you 1 Corinthians 3:6-9. Paul said, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”
I am really very happy for these verses that Paul mentioned for us. I believed that in our orphanage ministry you watered with your love and prayers and love gifts and designated offerings and I planted with my best to care for them, for their spiritual life and educational and physical growth, by face to face teaching the Word of God day by day, month by month and year by year until today, God gave the increase to them physically, educationally and spiritually until today because planter and waterer are one and we are labourers together with God. We will surely receive our own rewards according to our labour. Praise the Lord.
I and my family and all the orphanage children really invite you and warmly welcome you to see our orphanage ministry with your own eyes, how God gave the increase to our orphanage ministry. Again when you have holiday any time, pay a visit to our orphanage, in Yangon, Myanmar so that you might have great joy and be happy.
Now I am going to buy for the children’s needs and Christmas gifts for them. On Saturday (20.12.08), my wife gave a Bible knowledge and Christian songs examination to all the children and she chose the most clever and hardworking boys and girls to give special gifts when Christmas day 25th December comes. So, please pray for our Christmas programmes.
Again we are so happy for your practice of love and for your love gifts to us. We are really thankful to you (True Life BPC) and pray for you too.
Thanks.
May God bless you (True Life BPC & FEBC)!
Yours in Christ,
Brother Thangno
New Life Orphan Centre
22 December 2008
