Sermon Text: Psalm 101
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 2nd February 2025
Sermon Text: Psalm 101
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 2nd February 2025
The Topic of Study for 26th BW Retreat
“Heaven” is the topic for the forthcoming 26th Bible Witness Retreat (19-21 March 2025). It is a subject of great importance to all genuine Christians, as it is the eternal home of all who trust Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
Our earthly life will not last long; the end is very near for some of us. This brief earthly life is a time of preparation for the glorious heavenly home that Jesus is preparing for us. Jesus promised, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).
Saints, like the apostle Paul, should be ever ready to depart from this life for the heavenly home. Paul said, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Timothy 4:6). How about you? Are you ready to leave this world for the heavenly home?
When planning a journey, we often attempt to learn as much as we can about our destination from reliable sources. Similarly, regarding heaven—our ultimate destination—God has graciously revealed vital truths in His Word which we are called to explore and cherish, in preparation for the time of our departure from this life for the heavenly home.
Join us for the upcoming Bible Witness Retreat, where we will delve into the Scriptures to discover what God has revealed about heaven. Together, we’ll deepen our understanding of our eternal home, and prepare our hearts for what lies ahead. Don’t miss this enriching study on heaven! Sign up at once. Come and be blessed as we study God’s Word together.
“Choosing the Right Company”
By Jordy Kay
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).
Who should my friends be? National Service was a time when this question kept coming up. There were times when I was surrounded by many people, yet I felt that I was alone. Alone by choice because I could not join in with others as they were not doing what was pleasing in the sight of God; and sometimes alone because I was excluded by others as I did not fit into their thinking and mindset. As time passed by, I realised that being alone was not as bad as it sounds; in fact, often I felt that it was rather enjoyable. It was enjoyable because it gave me a quiet time to think and ponder about spiritual things, and even read Christian books. This “alone-ness” (which is not quite the same as loneliness) was actually a result of a deliberate decision to be separate from the worldly company that I was in the midst of.
Psalm 1 was a psalm that I held close to my heart during the 2 years I was in NS. In each stage of my NS journey – from basic military training (BMT) to cadet school, and to being in an operational unit – I had to evaluate again and again who I should be close to. There were people who were constantly using foul language and abusing the name of God, there were also people constantly cracking unwholesome jokes, as well as people always looking out for the latest and most exciting places to indulge in sensual pleasures over the weekends. So how was I to decide who to be close with? Psalm 1 instructs that we should separate ourselves from the ungodly, the sinners, and the scornful. It may seem unpopular to reject invitations to parties at nightclubs, or even refuse to engage in certain less than honest practices, but that is the way of the Christian. I also learnt along the way that the earlier you start making deliberate decisions to practise biblical separation, the more God will give you the holy confidence and conviction to continue to do it.
Soon, the alone-ness became not so strange. And I also soon realised that God is gracious, and would place certain like-minded brethren in your life to encourage you in this “fight of faith”. Like the saying goes, “Birds of the same feather flock together.” That’s also perhaps why the ungodly in the world tend to be in large groups. But fear not - God knows when and how to send encouragement to you. In each stage of my NS journey when I was a young Christian, God sent different groups of Christian brothers to encourage me. In the first 3 months of BMT, there was a school friend who started to collect mobile phone numbers from Christians and sent out weekly text messages to encourage us through the BMT journey. Back in the day when we were only allowed “brick-phones” (mobile phones with no cameras, which also happened to be older with less functionality), such text messages were like an oasis in a desert!
During cadet school and after being sent to an operational unit, I found a group of Christian brothers who banded together to stand in solidarity not to partake in ungodly practices in the unit. I share the following as a wonderful testimony: It was common in the army to have initiation ceremonies, where one was required to drink alcohol to prove their mettle to be part of a certain group - in this case, it was to join the “mess” which is a place that you can relax after hours, and have some snacks and drinks. In my unit, we had to drink 3 cans of beer as a show of our alleged toughness. If you did not drink alcohol, the ‘exchange rate’ was 9 cans of coke. There were 5 or 6 of us who were resolute not to drink alcohol, and instead opted to drink the 9 cans of coke at a go. Needless to say, we all puked up the coke as it was just too gassy. But the unease of foaming from our noses and mouths did not deter us from our commitment not to drink alcohol.
I can only thank God for such company given to me. While I was prepared to endure the test myself, God had graciously sent other Christian brethren to go through this ordeal together - drawing strength from one another, and silently cheering each other on as we witness each other suffer the price for not yielding to the ungodly tradition of alcoholism. As I end my testimony, I would urge all to beware of bad company and to purpose in your hearts to practise biblical separation right from the start. I conclude with this verse from 1 Sam 2:30, where God says “… for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”
“Managing Expectations”
By Titus Ho
Managing Expectations for Pre-Enlistment
Prior to my enlistment into the SAF, I heard many terrifying stories from friends and seniors concerning the unit I was being posted to. I was privileged to have strong spiritual support from both my parents and church, which strengthened my desire to stay close to the Lord. I remember thinking that even if those stories of injuries and physical suffering were to happen to me, I believed everything would unfold according to His sovereign will.
Thank God for Pastor’s constant reminders of Biblical values and principles to uphold as a Christian, which were relevant against the unavoidable bad company and worldly influences. Additionally, some older youths had advised me on setting the right expectations as a Christian soldier, and encouraged me to use my remaining free pre-NS days to spend more time with the Lord.
Managing Expectations During Enlistment
During the BMT phase, the experience was bearable if one was attentive and obedient to instructions. However, the stress intensified when I was selected for a pre-command course lasting 65 days. Each day was a test of my physical stamina and mental endurance during the instructors’ gruelling sessions, which inevitably caused a feeling of uncertainty to loom over me. This phase was filled with jungle missions, sleep deprivation, and constant exposure to vulgarities from trainers and course mates.
During that trying period, Psalm 23 encouraged me to stay strong as a Christian, knowing the Lord is near. While bouts of anger and frustration clouded my course mates, I frequently recalled the comforting ‘Scripture-in-Song’s sung during my youth in church. These equipped me to set clear expectations amidst such tumultuous period.
By God’s grace, I subsequently entered command school, which brought a new challenge: resisting social influences. Coming from an elite vocation, both instructors and buddies showed greater respect towards me though I was still a cadet, but they often invited me to drinking parties or weekend gatherings. Knowing that such activities would tarnish my Christian testimony and service in the church, I decisively declined. When questioned, I explained that I had to go to church, which elicited some light-hearted teasing but nothing seriously disrespectful. This eventually turned into an opportunity to share the Gospel with them and even invite them to church meetings. Indeed, Romans 8:28 resonated with my trusting in the LORD, for He makes all things work together for good!
Upon completing command school, I was assigned a special role in my operational unit, giving me the freedom to make critical decisions alongside regulars. Everything seemed smooth until my commanding officer (CO) requested a decision that indirectly involved “cheating the system”. This shocked and discouraged me, as I had looked up to him as a role model. During this conflicted period of choosing between obeying my superiors or upholding my Christian values, the Lord reminded me of His sovereignty through Deuteronomy 31:6. In the end, the Lord granted me wisdom to suggest an alternative. Apart from a mild scolding for not following instructions, my CO eventually adopted the suggested alternative, leading to another successful mission.
Managing Expectations in Service to the Lord
By God’s grace, whenever I had the opportunity to book out for the weekend, I made it a point to attend GYF meetings and Sunday services. It was exhausting, but these moments in church reassured me through the hearing of God’s Word. The Christian fellowship among youths and adults strengthened me to persevere.
During this period, my parents frequently reminded me of brethren praying for me. I am deeply thankful for their thoughtfulness and love. The Lord also allowed me to serve in church, such as taking up the pianist role in church and serving in the GYC. Though juggling limited book-out time and added responsibilities was challenging, I thank God for the strength He bestowed upon me. This was an important learning opportunity which showed that service to the Lord is never easy, but it is a test of faith to remain consistent in Him. Truly, as 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Conclusion
Preparing for enlistment into the army is a multifaceted process that requires not just physical and mental preparation, but most importantly, spiritual preparation. Unfortunately, this was often neglected by many of my Christian army friends, and I have seen this take a toll on them during times of distress. It is most important to have your trust built in the Lord, and to maintain spiritual discipline rooted in Biblical teachings learned over the years.
“Managing Money and Time”
By Cornelius Koshy
My National Service was spent in the Singapore Police Force (SPF). I never thought I would serve my NS in the SPF. In fact, when I opened my enlistment letter, and saw that I was enlisted into the SPF, I teared up because I felt I was unworthy of the SAF, and was ‘relegated’ to the SPF. My mind was conditioned, by stories of others, to think that NS = SAF. I always thought I would end up in Pulau Tekong for BMT. I never thought I would end up in Home Team Academy in Choa Chu Kang for Basic Police Training. Later, I realised it was my non-local heritage which did not grant me the “security clearance” needed to serve in the SAF.
Despite the initial resentment and uncertainty, I thank God for helping me to face the unknown with much courage and trust in God. My immediate squad of police trainees was a mix of very educated boys, as well as some from gangs, who were hardcore clubbers and smokers. In such an environment, there were many instances where I had to be honest, against the cover-ups and hidden things which my squad mates did. I had to walk away from filthy conversations, and take a stand for the God of the Bible in the midst of a predominantly Muslim cohort. God prospered my training, and I was promoted quickly and granted many privileges. The privileges came with increased pay, and the power to manage my own time and other officers under me. Soon, I found myself in a position of some authority, together with Commanding Officers of the Bedok Police Division – the division of the SPF which oversees crime in eastern Singapore.
Managing Money
For the first time, I had quite a lot of money in my bank account. Furthermore, this was my own money. It was not allowance from my parents. For the first time, it felt like I could buy whatever I wanted and eat wherever I wanted. This was a spiritual test which I was not prepared for. I bought things out of greed, to satisfy the lust of my eyes and flesh. While I saved most of it, looking back, I wish I was more prudent. Paul warns, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim 6:9-10).
I think this is why many youths fall into temptations and traps (which Scripture calls “a snare”), and find themselves guilty of foolish and hurtful lusts. Many NS men have “drowned” in their sea of wealth, which led to their own destruction and perdition. While NS men are not as rich as millionaires, one can certainly save a lot of money during the two years. It is a huge temptation to engage in things without accountability. You can travel from location to location quickly, instead of waiting for the bus or your parents to fetch you. You can go to places without others knowing and in quick time. You can take part in activities which cost a lot, go overseas without “burning a hole” in your bank account, but these are all temptations to lust and sin.
With the monthly stipend received, I learnt to give tithes and offerings. I learnt to give cheerfully to funds and those in need. I learnt to save and not to splurge. I hear from youths today that many learn to invest while in NS, but their motivation for investing is the love for more and more money! Christian youths must be more willing to give than to invest. It was in NS that I learnt to be content with what I have, and that just because I have the ability to spend, it does not mean that I should spend.
Managing Time
There will be lots of spare time, especially at night, when obligations and duties are completed. Most will indulge in Netflix (again, a luxury which comes with the newly found ability to pay for monthly subscriptions) and fill their minds with very worldly, ungodly movies. Few will spend time wisely. As a Christian youth, I would advise that you spend your nights in camp to do your devotion (if you could not do it in the morning) and listen to online classes, whether of GBI or FEBC. During my NS stint, I served a mix of shift work (similar to Bro. Benjamin Cho), and office-hour vocations. I thank God for working in my heart to spend my time during free nights to take FEBC classes for credit, and to read good Christian literature. We must redeem the time, for the days are evil (Eph 5:16)! Many say that they need to rest in the weekend, having just booked out of camp. But the best place to rest is in God’s house with God’s people. After all, what will you be doing as “rest” at home? You cannot be sleeping the whole time! In church, you are resting (and seated!) in God’s presence and nourished with God’s Word!
In conclusion, I urge all youths enlisting and in NS, to be exemplary and biblical in your spending of time and money. The world says, “time is money, and money is time.” God says, “Your money and time are mine.” God owns them all, and we must be good stewards of the money and time which God gives us. All things are of God, so let us show our gratitude to God by using all that God has given us wisely.
15a That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke.
Herein is God’s expectation of how His children ought to be in this world of sin and violence. There must be a marked difference in their conduct from that of the unregenerate people of this world. Christians ought to shine as lights in this dark world; that would be possible if and only if they are what the Spirit of God urges them to be in today’s text.
First and foremost, as sons of God, Christians ought to be “blameless”. The original Greek word for “blameless” (amemptoi) carries the idea of “above reproach”. All God’s children must know that it is our Father’s will that we live a life that is not marred by accusations of misconduct. We must not allow any occasion to be charged with wrongdoing. This is not to say that we will not be falsely accused of wrongdoing. But rather we must not be insincere professors of our Christian faith. We Christians must be like Paul, who said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1).
Secondly, as sons of God, Christians are encouraged to be “harmless”. The original Greek word for “harmless” (akéraios) appears only one more time in the New Testament, in Matthew 10:16 – “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” The idea denoted by the word seems to be “without guile”. Christians are exhorted here to bear an untainted testimony.
A person who is truly justified by faith will surely pursue a sanctified life. The evidence of a sanctified life is expected in all God’s children. How could those who live unsanctified lives be truly said to be “God’s sons”? Those who have become the sons of God by faith will have a desire to live a holy life and will constantly seek to lay aside every sin that does easily beset them. God’s children will not become sinless immediately, but they, being guided by His Spirit and truth, will endeavour to please their Father by walking in holiness and bearing a good testimony.
A commitment to live a holy life is necessary, for all children of God are exhorted to be “without rebuke”. To be “without rebuke” is to live without giving any cause for complaints against oneself. Oh, how careful every child of God ought to be in this world, which is full of temptations and provocations! So, be watchful and be prayerful to bear a good testimony at all times.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings.
We are dissuaded from engaging in two evils, namely, murmuring and disputing. Interestingly, the apostle is concerned that some engage in spiritual activities with murmuring and disputing. In other words, they practise religion without sincerity and joy. When God-given duties are done with murmuring and a disgruntled spirit, such service will be unacceptable. So, all Christians must guard themselves against such evil conduct. Both of those sins must be abhorred and avoided, if our services are to be effective and helpful.
True religion is never merely external observance of duties. Hence, Paul admonished, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings”. All our activities must be rendered cheerfully and willingly. Everything God has given us to do must be carried out with enthusiasm and readiness. Whether one does God’s work alone or with others, he must perform it with a genuine spirit of compliance to His will, coupled with diligence.
Some murmur against God and His servants, like the Israelites in the wilderness when experiencing a time of scarcity. In Numbers chapter 11, we read about them: “And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes” (vv. 4-6; cf. Exodus 15:24; 16:7-9).
Others murmur because they are discontented with and envious of the godly men and women whom God uses (cf. Numbers 14:1-4; 16:41; Mark 14:5). There are also some others who murmur because of their unbelief and their bigoted desire to spread their sedition (cf. Luke 15:2; Jude 1:16).
The spirit of murmuring is perilous. The Word of God cautions us, “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer” (1 Corinthians 10:10). Murmuring is often the result of envy, discontentment, bitterness, pride and unbelief. It results in numerous evil deeds, such as gossip, backbiting, slander, usurping of authority, defiance, sedition, dissension and schism. Murmuring is not just a dispute with man, but also with God! So, serve the Lord without any murmur or dispute.
11b No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
The first part of this verse, which we meditated upon yesterday, taught us that “... the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory.” Since the LORD, like the sun, gives us grace and glory, we have absolutely no reason to fear that He might hold back certain good things from us. According to our text, if we walk uprightly, no good thing will He withhold.
Being gracious, the LORD provides everything good for His faithful children. His grace will not deprive them of anything good and glorious in His sight. Every good thing is included in the grace and glory He promises to give them. There has never been a benefactor like the LORD, and there shall be none like Him. What a wondrous promise of His liberality His people are given! So, let us cease from all anxieties and murmurings.
Rather, let us be concerned whether we are walking uprightly, because the promise of His bestowal of good things is made to those who walk uprightly. God would not want His blessings to fall in the hands of those who would abuse or misuse it in their unrighteous pursuits. Those who do not walk uprightly are bad stewards of His good gifts. God will not have any pleasure in bestowing good things upon those who squander them for unholy purposes.
Notice that God’s grace is given to bring us to an upright walk. Grace is not given to continue in sin. In Romans 6:1-2, we read, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” God’s bestowal of grace and glory is to establish us in a holy walk. His grace and glory cheer us in the way of uprightness. It is a despicable thing to presume that God’s grace will strengthen us to engage in ungodliness, or that His glory shall crown those who unabashedly continue in wicked ways.
God fills us with good things that we may advance in His righteous ways. The more steadfastly we stay the course of His righteousness, the greater His blessings for us to appropriate. Psalm 64:10 says, “The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.” Likewise, Proverbs 11:20 reminds us, “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.”
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory.
Here two emblems, “sun” and “shield”, are used by the psalmist to express his most intimate thoughts about the LORD God in his special circumstance. Those symbolic designations of the LORD represent every believer’s assurance that the LORD is his provider and protector.
To all God’s people, He is like the sun that casts its light and warmth upon the earth. His favours are innumerable and invaluable, and are freely given like the light of the sun. Every day, like the sun which emits its light, God sends His blessings to all who trust Him, enlivening, enlightening and cheering them with His goodness. He is bounteous towards His people, and fills their lives with His loving kindness and tender mercies.
How blessed it is to be reminded that “the LORD will give grace and glory”. He gives grace sovereignly, readily, relentlessly, richly, appropriately and sufficiently. Under no circumstance will His people lack His grace. Nothing can prevent them from receiving His grace, for His Word declares: “the LORD will give grace”. We also note that the LORD will not only give grace, but also glory. It is said in our text that “the LORD will give grace and glory”. The little conjunction “and” that connects the words “grace” and “glory” is, as an old preacher had said, “a diamond rivet binding the present with the future.” Grace and glory are joined eternally by God. To whom the LORD has freely given His grace, He will also give His glory. All those who are saved by grace shall inherit His glory. Our present grace assures our future glory!
The LORD God is also a “shield” to His people. A shield is a defensive weapon used in wars to protect the soldier from the deadly blow of the enemy. To His people, God is their protector from every threat that rises against them. It was the LORD’s pleasure to assure His people that He will be unto them a shield. He said to Abram in Genesis 15:1, “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Likewise in Psalm 5:12, we read: “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.” In their adversities, God’s people often remembered that the LORD God is their shield (cf. Psalms 33:20; 84:9, 11; 115:9, 10, 11; Proverbs 30:5). It was especially so with David, as was testified in many of his psalms (Psalms 3:3; 5:12; 18:35; 28:7; 59:11; 119:114; 144:2). Let us too rejoice that God is our gracious Provider and Protector.
The LORD God is also a “shield” to His people. A shield is a defensive weapon used in wars to protect the soldier from the deadly blow of the enemy. To His people, God is their protector from every threat that rises against them. It was the LORD’s pleasure to assure His people that He will be unto them a shield. He said to Abram in Genesis 15:1, “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Likewise, in Psalms 5:12, we read, “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.” In their adversities, God’s people often remembered that the LORD God is their shield (cf. Ps. 33:20; 84:9, 11; 115:9, 10, 11; Prov. 30:5). It was especially so with David, as testified in many of his psalms (Ps. 3:3; 5:12; 18:35; 28:7; 59:11; 119:114; 144:2). Let us also rejoice that God is our gracious provider and protector.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Life is a journey that we should never take without the LORD. Our journeys must be with Him. We must begin our journeys with Him, continue with Him, and end with Him. The whole course of our life must be committed to the LORD.
All the affairs or businesses of life must be committed to the LORD in prayer. All of them must be considered only if they are in accordance with His Word. If His Spirit and His Word prohibit us, let us not travel that path. Let us stay with Him. We need Him every step of the way to bless and guide us.
Without the LORD travelling with us, we will be stranded and be hindered by the hazards along the way. If He is with us, we can commit our burdens unto Him. So, if you have gone astray from Him, stop at once and return to Him. Call upon Him and cast your burdens upon Him in prayer. Ask Him to guide you forward. Remember to stay with Him. Do not go any further in your rebellious ways. Do not follow those who journey without the LORD. Do not envy them; neither desire their dainties. Stay with the LORD; He will guide you all the way.
Remember the astounding promise in our text today – “trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Who can promise us to bring to pass all that we should do in life, but the LORD? Oh, what an exceeding great and precious promise the LORD gives to us today! Every step of the way, He will guide us. Every burden on the way, He will bear for us. Every care on the way, He will attend to provide. Therefore, if we would commit our ways unto Him, He will faithfully perform His part, and will not disappoint our expectations (though that may happen from time to time as chastisement for our unbelief).
So, seek the Lord’s direction in every endeavour of your life. Seek His wisdom to discern the right and proper way and to make decisions correctly. Seek Him for strength and assistance to perform your daily duties. Tell him all your cares and fears, and believe that He will pave the way forward for you. Depend upon Him for success, and give Him all the glory. Truly, He shall bring it to pass!
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
The exhortation given to us in Psalm 37:4 is to seek our happiness nowhere else but in the LORD – “Delight thyself also in the LORD”. Our best delight is in the LORD and Him alone. The worldly delights are vain and deceitful, for they teach us to despise the LORD and His holiness. It will be an utter waste of time to chase after the fickle joys of the world. The genuine, lasting happiness is in the LORD.
Hence, we must learn to delight ourselves in the LORD and in all that He is – in all His attributes, in all His works, and in all that He commands and promises us. Contemplate on all that the LORD affords you in Christ, such as salvation, spiritual blessings and His innumerable help and provisions. Think of His love and compassion for you.
The great fact about a life that is lost in admiration of the LORD is that it will overflow with happiness and joy. Everyone who loves the LORD with all his heart, shall find that “Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place” (1 Chronicles 16:27). The life of the one who delights in the LORD shall overflow with the grace and glory of the LORD. None who earnestly seeks his joy in the LORD shall be disappointed. In Psalm 16:11, David confessed before the LORD, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
The life of every believer is expected to be a delight in God. You are created and redeemed to enjoy God forever. So, seek all your joys in the truths and works of God. Expect all your happiness from Him and you shall not be disappointed, for the promise in our text is: “and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
This is not a promise to gratify all the fleshly desires, but to grant all the desires of the heart which delights itself in the LORD. It is the cravings of a godly soul that He promises to fulfil. What are the desires of such a heart? Without a doubt, it is to know, love and live for God. No greater desire fills the heart of a pious and godly man than to please the LORD and to find all his pleasures in the LORD. Let us, like David, say unto the LORD, “there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee” (Psalm 73:25).
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Genuine piety is enthusiastically encouraged here. The counsel given in Psalm 37 is an excellent antidote to dull, bogus piety that characterises a large number of professing Christians of our time. True piety is not cold and impassive. It is vibrant in its operation and cheerfully optimistic.
A man of genuine piety, first of all, is one who trusts the LORD. With unwavering faith, he relies on the LORD. His heart is wholly fixed upon the LORD. In the midst of adversity, hostility and calamity, he trusts in the LORD that He “is able to do exceeding abundantly” (Ephesians 3:20). His mind clings on to the LORD, and refuses to give up his faith in Him.
In times of adversity, he confides in God by prayer all his problems. In the face of hostility, he calls on God to protect and guide him forward. Amidst calamity, he waits patiently for God to help and deliver him. He does not allow anxiety and fear to overcome his soul. He has “nerves of steel”, as it were, in times of perplexing situations because he believes that his blessed LORD is in control of his situations and that He will work out all things for good (cf. Romans 8:28).
Furthermore, his steadfast faith in the LORD spurs him on to do good. He trusts the LORD for wisdom and strength to carry out all His holy and good pleasure. So, a man of genuine piety will also be a man who is committed to doing good. He delights to stretch his hand to do all things righteous and necessary. He is not like those who avoid divine services and works of benevolence at the slightest of inconvenience or opposition. He made himself available to do all that the Lord lays on his heart with dedication and joy. By faith, he ventures forward and accomplishes what most men would hesitate. Only a man of faith will attempt great things for God. Even adversity will not prevent such a man from attempting to do all that God has called “good works”. We are saved unto good works – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Those who trust in God and do good are God’s delight; He will establish them by providing all things necessary for them to grow further in their operation of faith and service – “so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”
At the start of this year, the Gethsemane Youth Fellowship held an online meeting to encourage and cheer on our young men who are about to enter National Service, as well as those currently serving as NS men. My message to them, titled “A Call to Serve with Faith and Honour”, was published in our church bulletin on January 5, 2025.
A key highlight of that meeting was the testimonies shared by five young adults who have completed their National Service. Their insights were profoundly instructive, offering warnings and guidance about the unique spiritual dangers faced during NS. These testimonies also provided invaluable advice to help young men prepare for and overcome the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of their service.
To edify and equip our young men who will soon don the uniform, we are publishing these testimonies in this week’s and next week’s bulletins. May they inspire and prepare our youths to stand firm for Christ as they serve the nation. Let us uphold them in prayer, asking the Lord to strengthen their faith and testimony in this critical phase of their lives!
By Galen Demetrius
This may come as a surprise to everyone, but during the medical assessment phase, I successfully downgraded my PES (Physical Employment Standard) status. This was in 2011. However, in 2012, I decided to enlist as a Regular Officer. In order to do so, I successfully proved to the medical officers that I was physically fit to upgrade my PES status. Eventually, I began my time as a soldier in 2013, in Basic Military Training (BMT). After I completed BMT, I was selected for a prestigious course for the next 1 year and 10 months.
To sum it up, I experienced many ‘ups and downs’, both good and bad, and I have endless stories to tell. I hope this testimony will prepare you to spend your waking and sleeping hours as a child of God in the army.
In total, I spent 7.5 years in MINDEF. I started out like everyone, in BMT, but slowly realised that I could endure very tough training courses in the army. Course after course, I felt that I had achieved all by my own strength. I enjoyed celebrating my success, especially the achievement of ‘top graduate’ of the course. I enjoyed people’s acknowledgment of my achievements. My achievements gave me my identity. However, after some time, I got lonely. My joy was short-lived. I realised that people only valued me for what I achieved, and not for who I am. If I stripped away all my achievements, if I did not pass the course, if I was not the top graduate, who was I? I soberly realised that my identity is in Christ, not achievements. I learnt that to be a leader is not about achieving this and that, nor about successfully leading a group of well-trained soldiers, but it’s about serving those who are under us. And that is exactly who Christ is! Jesus left His throne, humbled Himself as man, and suffered the agony of the cross for our benefit.
Although there were many other struggles, such as managing my spending, and distractions like vices and carnal talk enjoyed by colleagues, finding my identity was one of my biggest struggles.
Nevertheless, these were the experiences that God had allowed me to go through to mould me to be more like Him. When we face situations wherein we must choose between God and the world, and when we are met with opportunities to show Christ’s love and care to those around us, will you sacrifice even your last drop of water for your bunk-mate who is thirsty? Will you sacrifice your shower time to ensure your men get to rest early? Will you lend a listening ear to your friend in the army who just broke up with his girlfriend, knowing that it might be a Gospel opportunity?
Your actions will show whether you are God’s holy people who are willing to sacrifice our rights because of our Saviour’s sacrificial love for us. You will encounter people from shocking backgrounds which might make you uncomfortable. But always remember, that everyone is made in God’s image and they need to hear the Gospel. You will be spending your next two years, day in and day out, with this group of people. This is a great opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them - don’t waste it.
Don’t think that there’s a long life to live given your very youthful age. Indeed, it is God who gives breath and takes it away. In my time as a Regular Officer, I have witnessed two buddies in the force who die from suicide and cancer. So, while you spend time with your friends, be sure to share the Gospel with them.
“Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Cor 10:24).
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
Be a soldier for Christ first!
By Benjamin Cho
I’m thankful for this opportunity to share my testimony. Reflecting on my NS (National Service) life has allowed me to see God’s mercy in chastising me during that season. After careful thought, I have identified three main struggles:
Spending too much time in secular relationships.
Shift work (closely related to point 1).
Not establishing my Christian identity.
I will relate my struggles and propose a solution that I should have acted on, but unfortunately did not.
1: Spending too much time in secular relationships
I had two groups of secular friendships then: my relationship with friends from Polytechnic and my relationship with my NS team.
Poly friends: I met with a group of worldly friends with whom I lacked the discipline to distance myself. We stayed near one another and spent a lot of time together. Naturally, we were very close for a long time, and it was so throughout my NS days.
NS Team: In NS, I was assigned to a ground team with a shift schedule of “1 / 2 / off / off”. “1” represents a day shift, “2” a night shift, and each shift averaged 14 hours. Additionally, I had mandatory monthly training sessions and occasional team bonding activities during off days. All in all, I spent 70-80% of my waking hours with my ground team, and the remaining time with my secular friends from Polytechnic.
In most circumstances, a person will naturally be more attuned to and aligned with whom they spend most time. I spent a great deal of time in the company of these two groups. With my weak and immature faith, it was of a little surprise that this was a period of spiritual lethargy for me.
2: Shift Work
The shift work schedule compounded my struggles, as it meant that I could only attend Sunday worship twice a month. The first opportunity of the month to attend Sunday worship fell on my first day off, and the second opportunity fell on my second day off. My first day off was directly after a night shift, which ended about 8-9am on Sunday. So, I often missed the worship service to recuperate after the night shift.
As such, I only attended Sunday worship service once a month. I did not have the discipline to go for fellowship meetings held on Saturdays. Although I was in church once a month, the faithful preaching from Pastor often pierced my heart, leaving me determined to repent and walk aright. However, due to the sheer amount of time I spent in secular relationships, I frequently fell back into spiritual lethargy.
Solution for 1 & 2: Breaking off secular relationships alone is not sufficient, for the temptation to resume your relationship with them is difficult to overcome. One has to replace secular relationships with Christian relationships. I have noticed that even the warmest of secular friendships crumble when the ebbs and flows of life take us to divergent paths. I had foolishly invested much time and effort into these secular relationships, which ultimately proved fruitless in a few years.
Christians should invest their time and effort in God-honouring relationships that will never fade, so as to encourage, exhort and edify one another, for these efforts will bear eternal fruit. This is not to say secular relationships are to be avoided entirely, but a Christian’s first and foremost interaction should be within the body of Christ. May Christians prioritise relationships of eternal value, compared to secular relationships which are like a transient and fleeting shadow. Furthermore, replace bad habits with good habits. Discipline oneself to attend fellowship meetings and worship services, and find opportunities to serve the Lord. Service is not only a time of rededication, it also inculcates a sense of responsibility so that slothfulness can be replaced with service to God.
3: Not establishing my Christian identity
Whenever one is spiritually lethargic, there will be compromise in one’s spiritual walk, and sin will definitely abound. I recount a personal struggle I experienced during my NS: NS men were to write log sheets, to account for what we did during that shift. However, on the log sheet, it would be written that we were patrolling a certain location at a certain time, but we were actually resting. Despite my heart feeling grief from the false logging, I too struggled with the desire to sleep in the wee hours of the night instead of doing the duty, thus I did not voice my opinion on the matter.
Solution: Establish your Christian identity at the very beginning. I should have talked to my leader to make known my feeling towards lying on the log sheet, and work out a solution with him. As 1 Cor 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I actually recalled a solution that the Lord had placed in view of this situation. I had a second in-charge leader who was strict, and had a ‘by-the-book’ working ethic. I had the opportunity to experience it because occasionally I was partnered with him. Even though I was thoroughly exhausted by the end of every shift with him, the log sheet was true. I believe if I had talked to my leader about it, I could have been permanently attached to my second in-charge.
Young men who are about to enter NS should establish their Christian identity firmly, and as quickly as possible. Bring your Bible to your camp and read it in your bunk, make known to your camp-mates that you are a Christian. When you feel tempted to sin or are about to sin, the presence and observation of your NS mates who know that you are a Christian, will remind you of your responsibility to maintain a God-honouring testimony, so that the name of Christ will not be shamed.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).