Psalm 73:28 - “But it is good 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 testifies that “it is good for me to draw near to God”. Drawing near to God is a pleasant and profitable experience for all God’s children. Psalm 65:4 says, “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.”
If it is good to draw near to God, we should hate all things that distract or prevent us from drawing near to Him. Let us not put any value on those things that hinder our coming to the LORD. They must be refused, no matter how attractive they may appear.
Let us always observe what is so plainly commended to us by the psalmist — “to draw near to God”. Since the LORD has forgiven our sins and reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, we can now come nigh unto Him. Hebrews 10:19 says we can have “boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus”. Whoever would come to the holy presence of God through Jesus the Saviour will never be rejected.
Let us put our trust in the LORD God, having the assurance that He will not reject us but will receive us to Himself and hear us when we call on Him. We can have absolute confidence that God will accept us. Hebrews 11:6 affirms that “he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
As he drew near to God, the psalmist further desired to declare all of God’s works. He said, “that I may declare all thy works”. In other places of the Book of Psalms, we see similar sentiments of God’s servants. For instance, Psalm 66:16, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” Again, Psalm 71:17 says, “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.”
As we worship today, may our souls draw nigh unto God with faith and consecration to His glory. Let nothing steal away our hearts from our utmost worship to the Lord. Let us also speak with one another concerning all that the Lord has done for us, so that we may mutually strengthen our faith and aid one another in our walk with the Lord.
Dear Pastor,
Greetings in our Lord Jesus’ blessed and holy name.
Time flies! Thanks to the LORD for seeing me through my third semester (Jul-Nov 2023) in FEBC. The LORD is good! He has helped me to improve my Grade Point Average (GPA) last semester. I registered for 8 courses with a total of 13 credits as required for a full-time student. Colossians 3:14 – “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” – was my theme verse for the semester.
I am thankful to the LORD for many spiritual lessons learned within and without the walls of FEBC. One memorable lesson would be the provision of the LORD! He had provided the necessary funds for me to join Rev Clement in a Holy Land study pilgrimage in July 2023, just before the college reopened. Not only this, but other needs as well. For example, Pr Cornelius graciously agreed to cover my preaching duties in The Gethsemane Care Ministry (TGCM) on Tuesday mornings during the semester. Furthermore, concerning my family, the LORD has provided our every need! He alone is my Provider. “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone” (Psalm 86:10).
FEBC organised a Gospel rally on 1st September 2023, with Rev Clement as the speaker and Rev Zhu as the interpreter. This event was live-streamed, and I thank God for two newcomers for the event, one of whom has been attending True Life BP Church. The LORD has taught me precious lessons from the preparation to the execution of the event. I thank God for the charity shown among the committee brethren, which helped to bring the event to pass!
My difficulties faced during the semester were the Hebrew and Greek languages courses. There were some occasions in the Hebrew class when the quiz was either a fail or pass. Thank the Lord for His grace is ever sufficient to sustain me in the class. As for the Greek class, the LORD gave me strength to read aloud His inspired words. The translations of the texts and discussions thereof in class has helped me to see the richness of God’s Word. The LORD has subsequently given two opportunities for me to preach with this knowledge of Greek. I expounded on the word “life” from John 5:24 in the Chinese service, and on the word “thank” from Philippians 1:3 in the evening service.
The LORD has blessed my prison ministry. There are some Muslims in my Bible study class. God willing, in the coming year, there might be Muslim converts coming to worship the LORD with us in church. Two of them have professed Christ publicly. They have been approved by the Prison authority to attend the weekly Bible study and Chapel service. One of them has indicated to me his desire to go through water baptism. Praise the LORD! This is the work of God alone.
May the LORD continue to guide me in serving Him both in the college and the church for His glory!
“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:18).