Lord’s Day, Vol. 4 No. 35
(1) Reading the Bible in One Year
Andrew Murray’s devotional reading for 28 August entitled, “The Joyful Sound”.
Psalm 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
“The joyful sound” consists of God’s people walking in His light and rejoicing in His name. They have undisturbed fellowship and never-ending joy.
In every well-ordered family, one finds the father delighting in his children and the children rejoicing in their father’s presence. This mark of a happy home on earth is what the heavenly Father has promised as we rejoice in His name. It has been possible in Christ through the Holy Spirit filling our hearts with the love of God. It is the heritage of all who truly seek to love God with all their heart and strength. Yet there are many of God’s children who simply give up hope that a life of rejoicing in God’s presence is possible. Yet Christ promised it so definitely: “These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).
The Father longs to have the perfect confidence and love of His children. Through prayer, we can have the Father’s presence every moment of the day for our happiness and strength. Let us be content with nothing less than the joyful sound: “They shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day” (Psalm 89:15-16).
Accompanying this devotion is the reading of Job 17:1-20:29; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 and Psalm 131:1-3.
Dear brethren, how is your spiritual endeavour to read through the Bible in one year using Andrew Murray’s 365 days Devotional Bible?
I encourage you to persevere on with your reading. There are four months to go before we close the year. May the Lord grant you the spiritual strength and delight to read His Word daily. It is an exercise of spiritual discipline. It will certainly bring its reward to your soul. The Lord will see to it that your soul will be enriched beyond measure. May His exceeding joy and peace abide with you! Amen.
(2) In Times Like These
– Amid the Death and Destruction of War
Death and destruction rage throughout the world. When World War II was at its height, in that ominous and dark night of our earth’s history, amid the strains of wartime living, Ruth Caye Jones (1902-72) composed the song that has been a blessing and comfort in many circumstances of distress.
In times like these, you need a Savior,
In times like these, you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
This Rock is Jesus,
Yes, He’s the One;
This Rock is Jesus,
The only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these, you need the Bible,
In times like these, O be not idle;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these I have a Savior,
In times like these I have an anchor;
I’m very sure, I’m very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
The Bible warns that world events will get worse to the end of this age and the return of Christ. Our children and grandchildren may well face crises unimagined in our lifetime. Amid the unsettling confusion and chaos of the world, we may affirm with another writer: “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”.
The timeless message of this hymn can be appropriated for all difficult situations. An illness, a trial, a tragedy, a crisis, a death, a demanding task – all call for the stabilizing and sustaining presence of Christ in our lives. He is the only Rock to which our anchor of faith will hold steadfast amidst the storms of life.
May we, in whatever circumstances come our way, with the composer of this hymn, be able to say, “In times like these I have a Savior”. Then the storm may rage around us, but our anchor will hold because it “grips the Solid Rock.”
[Extracted and edited from Songs in the Night by Henry Gariep]
(3) Prayer for Upcoming Gospel Rally
Dear brethren, please pray for God’s blessing for the upcoming Gospel Rally on 4 September 2016. May the Lord help us to bring loved ones and friends who need to hear the gospel. May the Holy Spirit have free rein to bless and convict hearts to turn to God with His Word! Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee