THE PSALM OF PSALMS
Rev Dr Timothy Tow
What better title can we give to Psalm 23, not only for being the best known and most beloved, but also the most versatile of David’s Psalter. Psalm 23 is like the Hebrew word Shalom which means peace. As the Jews use Shalom as a word of greeting for all occasions, whether in life or death, in peace or war, in times of happiness or in times of sorrow, so we repeat or sing Psalm 23 under all circumstances. Psalm 23 fits all occasions because this Psalm breathes with every breath we take through every vicissitude of life. As life vibrates with every mood and emotion, so Psalm 23 is chanted to “seven” tunes as if to reflect our seven emotions, according to this order in Chinese psychology, viz., joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hatred, desire.
Psalm 23 is a psalm of life-hid-in-God. Whereas the world, of whatever religion or cultural background, is without God and has no hope (Eph 2:12), the Christian, like David, has fulness of confidence in God, like a Lamb in the Shepherd’s arms. This is how David felt when he penned this Psalm, recalling how God had delivered him “out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear” (1 Sam 17:37). Therefore, he could confidently go to battle against Goliath, knowing God would deliver him “out of the hand of this Philistine” (1 Sam 17:37). As he wrote this Psalm, he throbbed to the vivid memory of how God also delivered him from Saul’s spear and revived his fainting spirits with Ahimelech’s shewbread.
Thus he could testify of his all sufficiency in God, in his every need in a perilous livelihood. Not only of God’s emergency supply but also of His tender mercies leading to rest and recreation.
What David treasures most is God’s leading him along the spiritual path that keeps his feet from sliding into sin—for His name’s sake. Did he not fail God miserably once when he fell flat for Bathsheba; and into the ten-times more heinous crime of murdering Uriah by proxy? How we must plead with God to keep us on the right track too!
How does “thy rod and thy staff” comfort me? The Shepherd invariably carries a staff or rod with him when he goes forth to feed his flock. It is often bent or hooked on one end, which gives rise to the Shepherd’s crook in the hand of the Christian bishop. With this staff, he rules and guides the flock and defends them from their enemies.
From the rustic scene, we are introduced to a palace setting. Is David speaking from his victory over Goliath and his honours conferred before the king which excited the envy of other servants?
Anointing the head with oil is done as an expression of joy against putting on dust and ashes in sorrow. “Those that have this happiness must let it overflow into their poor brethren’s emptier vessels” (John Trapp).
While David had many enemies following him, he could rest assured in the Lord that He, on the other hand, was attending him with loving kindness. He had no doubt that a place in heaven was reserved for him. Is this your assurance too?
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
Mr Eio Eng Hua
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12).
For decades, I have been walking fast and walking far without difficulty. Then on 1st July this year, while I was in Kemaman with my wife for the church anniversary (2016), I wobbled and fell in Dr Wee’s house! What happened? At first, I thought that I was careless in walking and I would not fall again but subsequently, I fell three more times—twice in a resort and once in Kemaman B-P Church premises, all within the same day! Thank God for sending four angels (Pastor Khoo, Dr Wee, Rev Lee K S and Dn Seh Beng) who caught me and lifted me up whenever I was about to fall. Dr Wee later advised me to check into a hospital as soon as I return to Singapore.
On 2nd July, my wife and I arrived in Singapore and we went straight to the A & E block of SGH and later moved to the Department of Neurosurgery. Without delay, the doctors there arranged for me to go through a CT scan. The result of that scan showed that there was bleeding between my skull and brain, a medical condition known as “subdural haematoma”. It was caused by the drug—warfarin—which I had been taking for many years owing to another medical condition—irregular heartbeat.
I then asked how my condition was to be treated. The neurosurgeon offered me two options. One is to suspend my intake of warfarin for some weeks to see whether my condition improves as the days go by; the other option is burr hole surgery. I chose the first option as I was scared of the operation which carried risks. I stayed in the hospital for seven days before I was discharged on 8th July. The good news is that I had five CT scans, and each time the image showed improvement in my condition. During my last follow-up visit, the doctor told me that the trend is for the better. Praise the Lord!
I never imagined I will experience this type of medical condition which is not common. Anyway, I am confident that when I fall, I shall arise because the Lord is my Shepherd. Amen.
THE TREND IS TOWARDS THE TRAINED
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).
We thank God for raising up young men and women to be trained for the ministry of the Word at Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC). We are glad that our graduates are being used by God in various ways in the mission fields all over the world.
Last month I was visited by Phannarith one of our FEBC graduates (CertRK 06) who is director of Stronghold Cambodia, a humanitarian NGO supported by American Lutheran churches. Phannarith is married to Naomi and they have two sons David and Solomon. He has fond memories of FEBC and was sharing with his sons his experiences at FEBC as they toured the campus. He speaks excellent English. A copy of Theology for Every Christian was presented to him.
I was also visited last month by one of our FEBC Myanmese graduates—Dr Lazum Lonewah (BTh 96) who married Kim Jae Eun a Korean FEBC alumna (BTh 96). They have three children (two girls and the youngest a boy) and are settled in California USA where Lazum is pastor of a Myanmese Baptist Church. Both went to the States for further studies after FEBC. There they earned their Master’s degrees. Lazum went on to earn his DMin from Temple Baptist Seminary and recently a PhD from Piedmont International University. Lazum is very thankful for FEBC for laying a solid foundation for him to pursue his MA, DMin and PhD degrees. He returns to Myanmar annually to lecture in a Baptist Seminary in Kachin State.
The pursuit of knowledge is unending. Ko Lingkang of Calvary Pandan, having obtained his BTh and MDiv from FEBC, has just enrolled into the ThM programme of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan). Many of our graduates after completing their undergraduate degree are pursuing their Master’s degree at FEBC if they qualify. Jose Lagapa is on his final lap towards his Doctor of Theology degree. He is now ABD (all but dissertation).
In-Ministry Degrees Online
Leaving the ministry for studies is not a luxury many can afford. To offer our graduates a chance to upgrade their qualifications while in ministry, FEBC has introduced an online BMin, MMin, and DRE programme. The courses will start in January 2017. Two have already signed up to pursue the MMin—Rev Romeo Larano (Philippines), and Tann Heng (Cambodia). If you are interested, send in your application now. Be sure to include a testimony of your ministry since you graduated from FEBC. Applications should reach the College by mid-December. More information is found in the College website at http://www.febc.edu.sg and the latest issue of The Burning Bush (July 2016).
TRUE LIFE WEBSITE
Our church website is finally up and running (truelifebpc.org.sg). Several of our brothers were responsible for designing the website—Roland Yeo, Murray Ong, Samuel Goh, Joshua Chan. The work was supervised by Dn Chan Kay Heem. It is well designed—simple yet elegant, and user friendly. It gives a good introduction to our church—what we believe and what we do—worship services, ministries, fellowships, missions etc.
Timothy Tow Resources
Besides our weekly sermons and articles, we have also uploaded our founding pastor’s weeklies, messages, books, interviews, photos as found in the DVD-Rom called “He Being Dead Yet Speaketh” released in 2013. Find it under “Timothy Tow Resources”. The website also contains many gospel and doctrinal tracts. May the church website be used of the Lord to win many souls to Himself and bless many of His people worldwide. JK
