Dear....
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish
Psalms 146:4
R.I.P.
this is the familiar melancholic three letters that one sees inscribed
on tombstones in the cemeteries of old in the West. Perhaps a mite
unfamiliar for us in Singapore who are more inclined towards cremation.
With the festive period just over, and the Lunar New Year round the
corner, is it appropriate to talk about
death?
Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Psalms 104:29
I
have just seen this posting
by a friend of a photo with the following words "Without God our week
will be Sinday , Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, and
Shatterday. A pun on words it might be but how true it reflects a life
of angst when it is void of the presence of God in our hearts.
'...O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed:
but thou, O Lord - how long? Return O Lord, deliver me!'
Psalms 6:2-4
Is
R.I.P a testament that the deceased never had a peaceful day, and with
the last breath, the calamitous days are finally over? Never a day of
peace, thankfully this does not ascribe to me, for though my heart
does get troubled oft enough, it does not linger long over me. For
thanks be to God, He is my source of comfort and strength, and in
turning to Him, such troubling clouds will dissipate. And on this matter
of heart, thought I should share this
wonderful news. Just did my quarterly check with my cardiologist, and
much as the block is permanent till our good Lord decide otherwise, the
test results were excellent and indicate no deterioration. Indeed the
wife did a wonderful job keeping me discipline( not had a char kway teow
since Sep 2011), and more importantly to our good Lord for His grace.
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
Psalms 146:5
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalms 4:8
Mortal
death does not signify the conclusion of one's earthly woes, for
eternal damnation awaits. But it need not be so, for peace and joy on
Earth and bliss in eternity is what God promises all who seek Him. So
why are we not gladly
availing ourselves of this reality?
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 1:28
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Psalms 17:15
The
embalmer can do a gloss over the stone cold dead shell that once housed
our spirit. But all have to meet God our Maker in the spirit, warts and
all. Question is, have we been genuinely transformed in His likeness to
avoid the ignominy of being told by God that He knows us not?
Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god:
Psalms 16:4
Thankfulness
in all circumstances,
coupled with total dependency on our Sovereign God, these two responses
from us will ensure that we will not be subjected to the machinations
of the devil, nor the delusions of our self deceiving mind.
The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow:
but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Psalms 146:9
The
year has started on a hot streak, not just in the stock markets, but in
Down Under as well. Bush fires are normal but the scale and intensity
have deepened. Extremities will be the norm, correlating the place evil
increasingly has in mainstream life.
'....their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of The Lord....'
Ezekiel 7:19
As I watch the devastating carnage in Tasmania, I am reminded of the thoughts shared back last Aug on
Australia ( see link. http://eng-hieang.blogspot.sg/2012/08/heart-to-heart-34-kaleidoscope-15th-aug.html?m=1). Continued propagation of evil will draw a corrective response from God, for our eternity is at stake.
Interestingly,
bush fires though destructive is nature's way of regeneration. Is this a
symbolism of the degenerative being regenerated?
But we need not
go through such angst. The refiner's fire, if we are willing to come
unto the crucible of God's presence, will bring us out of the
tempestuous natural and into the joyous spiritual realm.
"When
we enter the disturbing, unsettling seasons of life, it is good to know
that real peace is available in the God of peace." ( Bill Chowder)
'Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.'
2 Thessalonians 3:16
After close to a decade of
immersing myself wonderfully in God's Word through the Spirit inspired
writings of His servants Paul and Bunty Collins in the online Bible
course (http://www.online-bible-college.com/),
I know it is now a time to enter a different season in the way I soak
my all in His Words. To read the entire Bible by its various
books,starting with Psalms and Ezekiel. Where will it lead to I know
not, but delight and discernment, the living Word of God will imbue in
us if we are determined and willing.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalms 1:2
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the
dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalms 19:7-8
He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
Psalms 18:19
God blesses
Eng Hieang
(12th Jan 2013)
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