JUL 29

Proverbs 16:9
Memorise Proverbs 16:9
“The Lord directeth his steps…”

The seventh root is Singaporean – through the late Rev Timothy Tow, the founder of the Bible-Presbyterian Movement in Singapore. He had a godly heritage as his grandfather was a godly minister of the Gospel. His maternal great grandfather was the first convert of the English Presbyterian Mission to Swatow (1859). His mother dedicated him for the Lord’s service when he was born. Like Hannah making a vow to the Lord, Tow’s mother vowed the same vow, that should He grant her a boy, “then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11).

Tow was soundly converted at a revival meeting conducted by Dr John Sung, who brought Pentecostal Revival to Singapore. In response to the altar call, he dedicated his life to full-time service in 1935. However, he soon forgot his call and pursued a law degree in London. God redirected his steps when his wife and daughter died within months. He realised the futility of living for himself. In 1946 he enrolled at a seminary in Nanking to study theology under the famed Dr Chia Yu Ming. Recognising his potential, the seminary recommended Rev Tow for transfer to Faith Theological Seminary, USA.

Tow graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Divinity. It was at Faith that he imbibed the spirit of the 20th Century Reformation from Dr Carl McIntire, the President of the International Council of Christian Churches (ICCC) to stand against the apostasy of the day. His heart was strangely warmed by the clarion call from McIntire to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3).

Dear teen, God can certainly direct your steps as you seek to serve Him. It can be a call to full-time service, in a ministry, e.g. music, youth, children, aged, missions or even writing of Christian literature. Pray and be sensitive to God’s will. Your own ambition must yield to what God has for you. Remember God desires the best for you.

Thought: “…whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.” (Proverbs 16:20)
Prayer: Loving heavenly Father, help me to understand that Your ways are higher and better than man’s ways.