My dear readers,

(Extracts from RPG, Jan – Mar 1998, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HEAR

LUKE 11:27-36, GENESIS 16:1-6

There was a time when I longed to see the miracles of Jesus, perhaps even the Lord Himself, thinking "That would surely strengthen my faith!" That is the reasoning of the natural man, placing much reliance on the experience of the senses. Today, the so-called "Holy Spirit Renewal" movement builds its faith largely on feeling and experience, on "seeing", "hearing", "signs and wonders". "Seeing is believing", so they say.

But our Lord says this is not so. Thousands in His day mingled with Him, saw His miracles, yet clung to their sins in unbelief. Even His brethren at one time did not believe Him (John 7:5). A mere physical experience of Jesus Christ saves nobody. To those who would hear, our Lord says, "Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." What God places at our disposal is the highest privilege we could desire: to hear (and read) His Word. To hanker after the physical Jesus, or some re-enactment of His miracles, is idle wishing which leads to nowhere. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom 10:17).

Within the sacred pages of Holy Writ is inscribed the Drama of Redemption. Reading with faith, every page comes to life, drawing the reader into the very arms of the Saviour, speaking of His almighty power and saving grace, implanting faith into every humble seeking heart. Ask not for some "supernatural sign" from heaven, like the unbelieving Jews! Three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth, then He arose from the grave. That "sign" should convince those who will be convinced.

To doubters like Thomas, our Lord says: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29). Blessed are they that hear the word of God and believe.

PRAYER: Lord, I ask not for signs, but for faith in my heart.

2. HEARING VERSUS DOING

LUKE 6:46-49, PSALM 127:1-2

The greatest sadness is the deception of hearing without doing. The Apostle James says, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (Jas 1:22). Our Lord has a stern warning for false professors: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt 7:21).

Profession without practice, hearing without doing, talk without walk – this is the scourge of Christendom today. Our Lord said so in Matthew 7:2-23. In His day He had many followers who pretended to honour Him with their lips, but yielded no submission to His commandments in their lives. It was so in Ezekiel's day. "They come unto thee ... they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after covetousness" (Ezek 33:31). They honour God with their lips but not with their hearts.

Our Lord's parable of the two builders drives home the awesome truth of the matter. Two men are building, each his house. When completed they look alike: elegant and attractive. But looks are deceptive and never more so than these two described by our Lord. One was built on shifting sand; the other was built on solid rock. The unseen factor made all the difference in the world: the foundation, hidden to the eye, ensured that one house stood secure in the face of violent storm and rain, while the other fell in utter ruin. The day of testing will reveal it.

Professing Christ without practising His precepts is the greatest self-deception. Sweet talk of the lips is worse than useless if it is not accompanied by holy walk in daily life. Such a life is like the house without foundation, awaiting the day of God's judgment and destruction. Let all who name the name of Christ take heed therefore how they build.

THOUGHT: "On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand."

3. CALMING LIFE'S STORMS

LUKE 8:22-25, PSALM 106:1-12

"What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him." The disciples, through crisis encounters such as this on the lake, were getting to know more about their Master, the Son of man, also the Son of God. As Son of man he was subject to the physical limitations of the flesh. There we find Jesus asleep as their ship sailed into a storm.

As Son of God, Jesus was King of all creation and Lord over all nature. Therefore, the howling of the wind and boiling of the sea ceased at His word of command. Mark's record says, "And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm" (Mark 4:39). What manner of man, and what manner of power! What power was it but the power of the Almighty Creator by whom all things were made (John 1:3)!

Today some of us may be going through rough weather. Life's storms may be unsettling your life at this very moment. Christian reader, your Saviour is very present to aid you in your distress. He is not asleep or uncaring. Did He not promise, "Lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world"? He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Heb 13:8). He has lost none of His power, but is mighty to save. Your trials may be sore and grievous. The world and the devil may be threatening on every side. But fear not! "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

The winds and waves of life may beat fiercely. All hope may seem to have faded. But Christian, never say die! Have faith in God. His help is only a prayer away!

JESUS SAYS TO US: PEACE! BE STILL!

God bless all readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor