Lord’s Day, Vol. 5 No. 52

Family Day 2017

 Thank God for gathering 43 members and friends for Family Day 2017 at the Rasa Sentosa Resort on 22 December.

The theme of our retreat was “Strengthening Our Devotional Life”. There were two messages – The Believer’s Quiet Time (Psalm 63:1-8) and Tools for the Trade (Joshua 1:8).

This is an excerpt of “The Believer’s Quiet Time”:

“The believer’s quiet time is private devotion time, set aside for the purpose of cultivating a rich spiritual life. It is an appointment with God. The believer’s quiet time seeks to move him from a state of stress to a state of rest. The cultivation of a calm spirit in the peace and joy of God is the frame of a man in touch with God. The believer’s quiet time is the high point of private worship. The elements of private devotion are prayer, the reading and meditation of God’s Word. What is God’s message for me this day? The quiet time must not deteriorate to a regiment. It must not take away the excitement and delight of the soul in the pursuit of God. Yet there is a need to have self-discipline to cultivate a habit of life-long devotion to God.

As Christians, we are to live above this world. The problems and difficulties of life must not rob the joy and peace in our heart. The devotion is a time of self-examination, confession of sin and making right with God where the Holy Spirit points out to us our deficiencies when we meditate on God’s Word. It is a time of spiritual renewal. But it seemed how few young men and women and few older men and women are led by the Spirit! How few are in that narrow way which leads to life, how few are setting their affections on things above, how few are taking up the cross, and following Christ. This statement is made with great sorrow, but I believe what I am saying is nothing more than the truth.

The psalmist David was trained in the pursuit of godliness by the providence of God in the wilderness (Psalm 63:1-8). He was a fugitive, living in constant threat to his life. He was taught the lesson of spiritual discipline to be constantly in touch with his God. He wrote many psalms recounting his spiritual encounters with God. David learned how to deal with his emotions, depression and weariness in the wilderness.

(1) Seek God early (v1a)

1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee…

It showed a determined heart. It is in the intensive stem with the emphasis of seeking and desiring after God. That thirst and hunger after righteousness is a sure sign of an awakened conscience to the need of the soul. He realizes his need for God. He confessed, “My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.”

(2) Seek to see the glory and power of God (v2)

2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

He experienced the goodness and care of God in his life. God is able to help him in the dangers that he faced daily in the wilderness. He cultivated the habit of seeking God, to wait upon God to help him.

 (3) Prayer Is Power (v3-4)

3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

 Prayer is power. He gave his petitions and troubles to God. David has experienced the lovingkindness of God in his life. God loves and cares for him. The outworking of God’s love is His compassion in showing a way of our difficulties. He recounted past faithfulness of God. He will continue to praise and bless God while he lives. This relationship is so precious and valuable to him. God is praiseworthy for He is the Giver and Sustainer of life.

(4) Experience answers from God (v5)

“My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.”

The blessings of God gave strength and prosperity to his soul. We must seek God ourselves to experience this blessing. The psalmist testified that his soul as being “satisfied as with marrow and fatness” (Psalm 63:5a) and his “mouth shall praise” God “with joyful lips” (Psalm 63:5b) when he draws nigh to his God.

 (5) Strengthened and Rejoicing (v6-7)

6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

David is strengthened and rejoices when he remembered the promises of God and past faithfulness and meditated upon them.

(6) Determination and Resolve

8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

The verb “follow hard” literally means “to cling, to cleave”. David learned how important his spiritual and physical well-being is linked to his devotion to his God. Therefore, he spared no effort to seek God with all his heart.”

How is your devotional life? It is the will of God that you cultivate a rich devotional life through prayer and His Word. Amen.

Yours Lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee