PASTORAL WORD

For Church Camp, June 10-14

We are living in perilous times: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:1–4).

We see a whole lot of self-loving idolatry and hatred against God and His truth today not only in the world but also in the church. Wickedness and evil rule the day. This was warned by the Lord Jesus in His last words to the seven churches so as to prepare them for the last days (Revelation 2–3). This we had studied in our church camp in 2018. “He that hath an ear, let him hear” was said seven times by our Lord (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22), but it is sad that there are those who chose not to hear seven times, young and old, and have left the Lord and His Church for the world. We are saddened by this.

We are also sorrowful over the things that had happened in our midst in recent years. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps 133:1). We have seen how such good and pleasant unity is fragile and can be easily broken by hatred and lies. It is no wonder that Proverbs 6:16–19 says, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

I am quite sure none of us will be spared from such distressing episodes and depressing experiences in our personal lives. In such times, in times of despair and discouragement, where do we find comfort and encouragement? Only from God! “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Cor 1:3–4).

That is why we have this as our theme for this year’s camp, “The God of All Comfort”. It is good that we spend some time to meditate on this truth—knowing more of our God and Saviour who is “the God of all comfort”. I am sure the Lord’s messengers—the Rev Paul Cheng of Bethel Bible-Presbyterian Church (in English) and the Rev Lee Kim Shong from Calvary Jaya Bible-Presbyterian Fellowship (in Chinese)—will help us know and understand how our God is such a God of comfort.

The Rev Samuel Joseph and I will be taking turns to speak in the morning devotions for the English, and the Rev Zhu Jianwei and the Rev Koa Keng Woo will take turns for the Chinese. By the grace of God, I will be studying with you the reasons why we are here especially why we are in this camp and why we are in this church. I believe God has a good purpose for our lives. We want to know why we exist and what is God’s purpose for us as His people so that we might live for Him meaningfully and purposefully especially in these perilous times.

See you all at the Royale Chulan Penang! Bon voyage! JK

At Mrs Ivy Tow’s Vigil Service, May 20

Mrs Ivy Tow former Lecturer in Greek, Matron of FEBC and beloved wife of our founding pastor, the late Rev Dr Timothy Tow, was called home to the Lord on 17 May 2024. The vigil/homegoing services were conducted at Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church. Her body was finally laid to rest at the Chua Chu Kang Lawn Cemetery on 21 May 2024. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Rev 14:13).

Here was my brief sharing at the 2nd vigil service on May 20th:

Mrs Ivy Tow had a life verse. It was Proverbs 3:5–6 which says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” We know this from the Golden Jubilee Yearbook of FEBC.

Why did she make Proverbs 3:5–6 her life verse? I think you will see why after I read to you her testimony in the Yearbook:

I thank the Lord for calling me into full-time ministry. Answering His call, I came to the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) at 9 and 9A Gilstead Road on September 17, 1962. The Principal, the Rev Timothy Tow, sat in a classroom on a stool. Three students … sat on three picnic chairs. The whole College had not been completed yet. There was not a piece of furniture around but the Principal had great faith in the Lord to guide and provide. The Rev Tow spoke to us from Psalm 34:10, “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”
We learnt to live by faith, the Lord provided for our needs. After our first academic year, two students left the College … Why? Because one of our lecturers told us, “Quick, jump out of the sinking ship, even the rats will run away.” But God did not tell me to go, so I was the only one left. I graduated in 1966. Looking back, life in the College through the years has not been easy, but God is with us, His presence is with us, He leads all the way.

What could a young lady who had just graduated from FEBC do for the Lord? God had a good plan for her. Let me now share with you what Rev Tow wrote in his autobiography—Son of a Mother’s Vow—and you will see God’s good hand at work in leading all the way:

When Ivy first joined FEBC she asked me this question, “Since I cannot be a pastor, what could I do when I graduate?” “Well,” said I, “If you are faithful to your day-to-day work, and are willing to scrub the floor and polish the church furniture, God will use you when you graduate.” How did I know I was to marry her? And what better choice when she was one preparing to serve the Lord full-time …

We thank God for Mrs Tow and her long years of service not only in FEBC but also in Life B-P Church and later True Life B-P Church together with Rev Tow. She continued to encourage the members of True Life week after week with her presence and she kept on serving as Matron in FEBC right until the semester concluded last month. The many testimonies of the students every semester, of their time under her as the Matron, is a testament of how the Lord had used her as a channel of blessing to them. Many of them are here tonight, even from overseas.

On behalf of my family, I want to thank the FEBC Board, faculty, staff and students and all True Lifers for all your love, care and concern for Mrs Tow during the time of her physical weakness and medical treatment. I thank the Lord for the combined FEBC-True Life choir for singing so beautifully just now.

I also thank the Lord for the opportunity to continue to minister to her at the hospital, along with my daughters, until she was called home to be with the Lord.

Now that she is with the Lord, what song do you think she is singing? Besides “Each Step I Take” (one of her favourites), I believe it is also this one:

All the way my Savior leads me—
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
in my Father's house above.
When my spirit clothed immortal,
wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

Yes, Jesus truly led her all the way. Amen. JK