Lord’s Day, Vol. 3 No. 13

Righteousness Exalteth a Nation

A nation where justice reigns, where there is righteous administration of the government, where law is upheld and order prevails, receives God’s favour. God exalts such a nation (Prov. 14:34).

In the past week, the nation mourns the death of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, architect of modern Singapore. Mr Lee Kuan Yew once said, “I’m very determined. If I decide that something is worth doing, then I’ll put my heart and souls to it. The whole ground can be against me, but if I know it is right, I’ll do it. That’s the business of a leader.”

Our late principal of the Far Eastern Bible College, the late Rev. Dr. Timothy Tow taught us, “Singapore law is taken from Indian law and Indian law from British law and British law from Roman law and Roman law from God’s laws as recorded by Moses in the Holy Scriptures.” Broadly speaking, that’s the basis for the Singapore constitution that is worth our defending.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew also said in his memoirs “The Singapore Story: 1965-2000” that he wanted “the younger generation of Singaporeans who took stability, growth and prosperity for granted to know how difficult it was for a small country of 640 square kilometres with no natural resources to survive in the midst of larger, newly independent nations all pursuing nationalistic policies.”

At the age of 35, Mr Lee Kuan Yew was in charge of a self-governed Singapore, responsible for the lives of two million people. The Bible showed us the tremendous task of nation building when Moses led two million Israelites out of Egypt through the wilderness for 40 years en-route to the Promised Land.

The nation of Singapore remembers Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s contribution in leading the nation to where Singapore is today. We want to pay tribute to his integrity, industry and God endowed wisdom that give Singapore the peace and stability that she enjoys today.

We want to acknowledge our good God in placing righteous authority over us to rule and govern Singapore as the Apostle Paul wrote:

Romans 13:1-7. 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

We pray for the bereaved family of Mr Lee Kuan Yew that God’s comfort be with them at this time of great loss. We pray that God will continue to lead our national leaders in the paths of righteousness.

While Singapore enjoys peace and prosperity and the freedom to practise our faith, we pray that Christians would be good stewards of the manifold blessings that God has bestowed to make an impact for the cause of the gospel, for the salvation of souls. We pray that by the way we live out our Christian principles in our respective places of work or study, we can make a positive contribution to Singapore society and be faithful witnesses for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Yours lovingly,

Pr. Lek Aik Wee