Trust in the Lord
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 ESV
With the spread of COVID cases in Singapore over the last few days, the government here has decided to reintroduce some restrictions to social gatherings and international travel.
Many of our church leaders are having emergency meetings today to decide whether or not to continue with physical services or move online once again. We pray that our leaders will trust the Lord to make straight their paths and grant them the wisdom to choose the best course of action for their respective churches.
As a school, EAST will be affected by these new restrictions also. Heavily restricted travel into Singapore will affect our overseas admissions and Extension Centre Staff. We pray for the Lord to help us in overcoming these hurdles placed suddenly before us.
Individually, these new restrictions will affect us in varying magnitudes. Be it having to face the possibility of delaying a marriage ceremony, or something smaller, we need to look to the Lord to guide our decisions and choices over these next three weeks. If there is any way that EAST can pray for you, we welcome you to let us know here.
Pray for wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 ESV.
Last week, we read that the fear of the Lord is the path to knowledge and wisdom. This week, James reminded us with his advice on obtaining God’s wisdom in life. Wisdom that makes God-serving and God-pleasing decisions can only come from our loving God himself. Believers are to pray for this wise discernment in their lives as an act of faith and dependence. This is especially so when dealing with trials and suffering, for instance. On the other hand, as we ask for His wisdom, we must already be willing to obey His revealed Word. When faced with difficult choices in life, our first response should be to turn toward God who delights to give generously of His wisdom.
Have you been struggling with tough decisions recently? Do not be hesitant to pray to God today for His wisdom to guide you.
How can EAST pray for you? Let us know here.
Fear and Wisdom
Proverbs 1:7 ESV “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”.
Knowledge and wisdom are often understood as words with different meanings, but in this verse, they speak of the same thing; understanding of our place and role in creation under our loving God.
At the same time, there is a difference between the earthly and the biblical pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. While the world often upholds knowledge and wisdom as a means for one to wield power over another, we understand that fear and submission to the Lord is foundational to the attainment of real understanding. Proverbs 9:10 states “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”.
In your pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, have you remembered to first fear the Lord and understand our role in creation under him? Or are you the fool, looking for knowledge for the sake of power and ignoring the Lord’s commands.
Delight in the Law of God
Photo: Yanshu Lee. Design: Jonathan Yao.
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night..” ~ Psalm 1:1-2 (NIV)
The poetic and metaphoric psalms began with a direct assertion of one who is called “blessed” by virtue of his disassociation with the “wicked or ungodly, sinners or unholy, and mockers or desecrators” but one who is in close fellowship with YHWH, God Himself, at all times.
See the Goodness of God
Photo: Matheo JBT; Design: Jonathan Yao
“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14, NAS)
In Psalm 27, verses 1 through 6, King David expressed his confidence in a God of whom he has had deep communion with. Then in verses 7 through 14, he turned from praise to plaintiff prayer of dependence and hope in a redemptive God. This Psalm has been known as one of “composites” with extreme high of joy and jubilance in the first half and thence sinking to the depth of sadness and near despair in the latter part (Pulpit Commentary).
Read how verse 13, as part of the ending verses, unify these extremes to produce hope in us.
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