My dear readers,

(Excerpts from Reformation Banner, Dr SH Tow)

1. The promise of Revival

SCRIPTURE TEXT: EPHESIANS 1: 1-4, 12-14.
(December 77)

Give the Lord the First Place in our Hearts

Unless the Lord takes this rightful place as Lord of our lives, we can never be revived. Self must be dethroned and crucified daily. Recall our Lord's words, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me"(Matt 16:24). We must first deny ourselves before we can give the Lord His rightful place.

Again, we must put the Lord above all others, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Matt 10:37).

We must invite the Lord into our hearts. He does not force his way in. He stands outside and says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev 3:20).

No longer must we allow self to exert itself or to direct our lives. From henceforth, only Jesus, always Jesus!

Grow in Knowledge of the Word

Outside of God's Word we have no sure means of knowing His will, or of growing in spiritual maturity. God's Word is milk and bread and meat. We must feed on it daily. This takes time, but there are rich rewards. So let us not neglect this vital part of our Christian life. Let us read our Bibles daily, systematically, consistently, prayerfully, reverently and obediently. Then see how the Lord will bless. The Word will keep us from going astray. "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Psalm 119:11).
Keep God's Holy Commandments

We must have a high and healthy respect for God's holy Law. Our God commands us to be holy, even as He is holy. Unless we hold God's Commandments in reverence, we shall begin to trifle with sin. Then there can be no Revival. So let us walk in the light, as He is in the light.

Witness to the Unsaved

This is our joyful privilege, to bring the lost to the Saviour. Let us be zealous. Let us not be ashamed of His glorious name. The Lord says, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven"(Matt. 10:32, 33).
We have briefly traced the steps to Revival. Revival will come only if we are prepared to pay the price. It may be a heavy price, but it is worth it. The experience of Revival is sacred and glorious. Let us seek it with our whole heart.

May the Lord revive us all. (The end)

2. The story of a famous hymn: "Abide with me"

(Sept / Oct 1978)

For 25 YEARS Henry Francis Lyte had ministered in the English fishing village of Brixham. Toward his evening years and with steadily declining health, he was advised by his doctor to seek the warm climate of the Mediterranean. On 5 September 1847, on the eve of his departure to Italy, he preached his last sermon, concluding with these words: "My dear friends, brothers and sisters, I must now take my leave. My life work has come to a close. It is not my wish to leave you, for you know how much I would love to continue here. And while I leave you with a heavy heart, yet I shall not leave you comfortless. For our Lord Jesus will never leave us. He is our ever-present Master and Friend. Continue to love Him and to live for Him, and He will be with you till the end. We may not see each other again, but we have the sure hope that one day we shall meet face to face in the glorious presence of the Lord. Farewell!" When he sat down, there was hardly a dry eye among the people as they realised that this could well be their last meeting with their pastor.

That evening, Henry Francis Lyte took a walk to his favourite spot on the beach, for a sad farewell and a last look at the glorious sunset. "How can I go away from here" he wondered. In the distant horizon, the golden sun was fast sinking beneath the shimmering sea. As the fiery ball slipped from view, the sky filled with its last blaze of glory, with rays of yellow, red and gold. Soon, darkness closed in to herald the end of another day.

With measured steps he paced the familiar sands, fixing his eyes on the distant scene while his thoughts winged their way heavenward. Up there his Lord and Master awaited him. He recalled that memorable occasion eighteen hundred years earlier, when Jesus Himself walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The fellowship that day as they journeyed along was so wonderfully warm and close, for the Lord spoke from the Scriptures about Himself and heavenly things. As night fell they approached a little wayside inn, and the disciples said to Jesus, "Lord, abide with us: for it is evening, and the day is far spent". What a comfort it was when the Lord granted their wish and stayed on with them,

Looking toward heaven, Henry Francis Lyte prayed this prayer:

Abide with me — fast falls the eventide,

The darkness deepens Lord with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
In a moment of inspiration, one of the world's most famous hymns was born. Henry Francis Lyte was leaving his beloved England to return no more, but he found peace and strength in the presence of his Lord whom he had served so faithfully all his life. The second verse of the hymn says:

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day,

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away,

Change and decay in all around I see —

O thou who changest not, abide with me!

My friends, as you listen to this beautiful hymn, remember, when day is done and hearts are lonely, you too may want the Lord Jesus to abide with you. He longs to be your friend. And when our earthly sojourn is over and our strength is no more, you will need Him then. Won't you, trust in Jesus now and say to Him, "Lord, abide with me."

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor