30 June 2020 - Song Of Solomon 1:1-17

30 June 2020

Today’s passage is from Song of Solomon 1:1-17

1 Kings 4:32, says of Solomon, "He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were a thousand and five." That’s a lot of songs! The Book Song of Solomon/Song of Songs is a very unique one; It is primarily an allegory describing the love relationship between God and His people. This great Song of Songs illustrates the love, the intensity, and the beauty of a relationship that should exist between Christ and the believer.

“The chief speakers are not Solomon and the Shulamite… but Christ and his Church.” – Chuck Swindoll

It is important to understand there is a huge difference between knowing that God loves you and experiencing God’s love in your life. It is intimate and personal, with that understanding when you read this passage, it sure is an exclusive experience.

MY BELOVED IS MINE AND I AM HIS

Verses 1-7. The dialogue between the maiden and the young man begins with this passionate desire of the maiden. Love is better than wine Vs 2. She wants to receive and experience the love of her beloved. Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher of Victorian England, in his sermon titled Better than Wine, drew forth two main points:

“Christ’s love is better than wine because of what it is not: It doesn’t cost anything. Taking more of it does not diminish the taste of it. It is without impurities.

“Christ’s love is better than wine because of what it is: · Like wine, the love of Christ has healing properties, a symbol of joy; it exhilarates the soul.

It flowed out in streams of blood, from the cross of Calvary, and we partake of it in remembrance of Him”.

A PERFUME POURED OUT

Vs 3 Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes. The love of Christ is an ointment that heals the wounds of the heart, adds fragrance that is refreshing and makes one joyful.  And in love, the King brings the bride into His chamber, a place of closeness. Isn’t that true of a heart of worship when you love Him with all your heart and soul every day? It is in your quiet time, that you are welcomed into the affections and secrets of His heart.

The Shulamite considers her own shortcomings in appearance Vs 5 Dark am I… Likewise, we also suffer in our negatives sometimes and we do not want our natural life to be exposed. Unless it is sufficiently dealt with by the Holy Spirit, it is difficult to get over such feelings. If you are conscious that you are restrained in prayer, that you have neglected searching the Word, and that you have not lived as near to God as you ought; then this is the time you need to come into close communion with Christ. For His love covers the multitude of sins.

ADORNED IN HOLINESS

Verse 8-10 The beloved praises His lover. If you do not know, O fairest among women, follow in the footsteps of the flock. Poetically, the beloved tells the maiden where she can find Him. He welcomes her presence and companionship and is happy to have her with him. More specifically, He praised the way she made herself beautiful, with ornaments on her cheeks and chains of gold on her neck. The ornaments are compared to the grandeur and beauty that the Lord can adorn us with, in other words it is the grace and glory that can be given by Christ, when we surrender our lives to Him. Infact, He admires this incorruptible beauty that can come only from God Himself, upon us.

Vs 11 When the on-looking daughters of Jerusalem saw how the King cared for her, they wanted to be kind and good to her. The Lord will turn people in your favor when you have found favor in the eyes of God. Be assured that the beauty of His holiness and the gentle spirit remodels you, and will attract people to you. Proverbs 3:4. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of man. When your love relationship with God gets stronger, many other strained relationships will be set right.

AN EVERLASTING LOVE

Vs 13-17 The maiden understood her ability to attract her beloved; and she also understood His ability to attract her. These dynamics of mutual attraction is delightful, for it speaks more about character corresponding commitment- an eternal love relationship.  This intimate relationship with Christ will always keep life alive, attractive and full of good scents, like that of the vineyards of En Gedi, an oasis in a Judean wilderness.

Prayer:

LORD, you love me so much more than I show my love to You. Thank You for meeting with me today and reminding me of this love relationship. Keep me close to you. In Jesus name, Amen

29 June 2020 - 2 Samuel 13:23-39

Today’s devotion is taken from 2 Samuel 13:23-39

We have in 2 Samuel 13 a tragic story in the life of David where he lost two of his sons, Amnon and Absalom. David’s first born son was Amnon, the crown prince. Amnon had a half sister and half brother called Tamar and Absalom. In the first half of this chapter, we read about the rape of David’s daughter, Tamar by her half brother, Amnon. In the second half of this chapter, we read about the murder of Amnon by Absalom who was avenging what was done to his sister, Tamar. After murdering Amnon, Absalom fled because he was afraid what David might do to him. David experienced great sorrow when he learned of Amnon’s death and Absalom’s flight. This passage is a tragic story but what is this passage teaching us?

Doing what is right

When David found out about the rape of Tamar by Amnon, David neglected his responsibility to execute justice on Amnon. We only read in V.21-22 that David got angry but takes no action to punish a wrongful act (See Exodus 22:16-17).  Perhaps David did not feel adequate to hand out a punishment for Amnon when he himself committed sexual sin with Bathsheba. Whatever it is, David could have and should have done something to establish his moral leadership of his family and also his Kingship. Fathers are commanded to raise children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). As Reverend Johnny shared in his Father’s day sermon, as parents, we are called to not be afraid and to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9). We must set a standard according to God’s word.  This principle applies not only in terms of parenting, but within our workplace or relationships.  It also applies if we are leaders in our Church. We must not be afraid to do what is within our biblically mandated authority. Disciplining the one you love is unpleasant and uncomfortable, both for the one receiving and the one applying it. However, we must not be fearful to do what is right. Acting early may prevent ruinous consequences later on in a child’s life or someone’s life or their relationships.

Anger undealt with

Absalom refused to let Amnon get away with what he has done. Absalom is furious but waits 2 years before he kills his brother. For two years, Abasalom did not stop plotting to revenge what Amnon did to Tamar. Absalom nursed his hatred against Amnon until the time was right. Dealing with unresolved anger can lead to bitterness, hardening of the heart and other damaging consequences. Absalom took matters into his own hands and ended up crossing the line from justice to pure revenge. This is precisely why there are numerous warnings for us not to hate people or stay angry.  Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love covers all offenses (Proverbs 10:12). Ephesians 4:25 says “Do not let the sun go down on your anger”.

Anger, hate and unforgiveness are destructive emotions. First, we have to exercise self control which means that though we want to act in a certain way but we choose not to because it is against the word of God. Second, Jesus commands us to love our neighbours and to love our enemies (Matthew 5). To choose love and forgiveness requires obedience and humility. Humility because we have to come to the realization that we ourselves were undeserving of forgiveness from Christ. Obedient because we are commanded by the Lord’s prayer to forgive us as we also have forgiven those who sin against us. Just as Jesus forgave the Romans and the Jews for mocking him, spitting him, flogging him and crucifying him when he did not wrong, we must learn to forgive others. Just as Stephen cries out to forgive those who were stoning him to death, we must overcome our human instinct for vengeance and look to the Cross, the ultimate symbol of forgiveness and love.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, teach us to be strong and courageous to bring up our family in Your ways. Teach us to love and serve our families in Your ways.  Help me demonstrate unconditional love to those who hurt me. Help me forgive others as you have forgiven me and grant me a compassionate heart. In Jesus’s name, Amen.  

 

 

 

28 June 2020 - Saturday & Sunday English Services

Hi Church! Here is the videos of our Saturday Liturgical Service and our Sunday Contemporary Service. Have a blessed day of rest with your loved ones.

27.06.2020 - Saturday Liturgical Service

28.06.2020 - Sunday Contemporary Service

27 June 2020 - Just "Very Angry"

27 June 2020 - Just "Very Angry"

2 Samuel 13:1-22

This chapter records the story after David committed the sin of adultery and murder. It tells of a shocking and tragic story in the life and family of a great man of God. What can be more heart breaking to any family than what happened in this story.

To add to the whole pain, the author added this line, "But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry." (II Samuel 13:21) No justice, no discipline, no healing and no closure. Just 'very angry'. I am speechless when I read this dark and tragic story of  the family.  The man who led Israel to victories could not do more for his family than just 'very angry'.  This mere 'very angry' became the seed of destruction, revenge, betrayal and murder to the family of David.

Why just 'very angry'? Where is that godly anger and courageous act we read of when he heard Goliath insulting God and Israel? Where is the compass of right and wrong?

I believe the answer lies with chapter 11-12. David's dark and hidden sins changed him forever. The David from chapter 11 onward was not the same David we read of earlier. He found God's grace and forgiveness but he would never be the same again. The saddest part is that it struck at the closest thing to him- his family. He could no longer lead his family, he could not give love, justice and leadership to the family. Worse, he could not give God's law the way it should have. In short, he lost his authority and mandate as a father. In a family where a father is supposed the king (provide leadership, justice and protection), prophet (speak God's word) and priest (intercede and lead in worship), David lost the mandate and authority when he chose sins. The voice "Who am I to give justice?" will always scream at him and weaken his conviction. As we read in this story and the next, David's voice of truth and justice only grew weaker and softer.

Are there sins that lurk at the door of my heart?

Prayer

Lord, teach me to learn the dangers of sin as much as a child learn the dangers of fire. Teach me to guard my heart against sins and build huge margin between my life and sins. Above all teach me to stay close to you and your words so that sins would not be near nor attractive. In Christ's Name. Amen