Lord’s Day, Vol. 8 No. 15
Draw Near to God
Psalm 73:23-28 Nevertheless I amcontinually with thee: thou hast holden meby my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me toglory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there isnone upon earth thatI desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: butGod isthe strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it isgood for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
The psalmist surveys his world around him and discovered the futility of those who pursued after it – 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. His exhortation is that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). He is thankful to God for His counsel (v24). God’s counsel comes through the prayer meditation of His Word. He blessed his Lord God for His abiding presence in his life. He understood God’s presence and power gave him strength for life. He dares not wander away from his Lord but has chosen the better thing to draw near to Him.
We draw near to God through worship, both private and public worship. Today, we remember our Lord’s resurrection from the dead. Death was conquered and hell vanquished. Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!
We endeavour to seek Him early just as Mary Magdalene was there at the sepulchre before daybreak. There she was the first, out of the disciples’ of Jesus, to meet her risen Saviour. She loved the Lord with all her soul, might and strength. The Lord bless her with His presence. She remembered how she was powerfully delivered from demons that possessed her. She was most grateful for Jesus’ mercy upon her to save her.
There are great blessings for drawing near to God through prayer and the meditation of His Word. Faith is renewed. Undergirded with divine wisdom, we find strength for life.
This is the first time since 2015 that BHBPC could not physically gather for Easter Sunrise Service. Nevertheless, God is not one moment further from His people. As we meditate upon His Word with a sincere seeking heart, we will find Him truly the strength of our heart and our portion forever. Let us trust in Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee