A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Tsunami by Hokusai 19th Century

'Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.' Psalm 91:1-3 (NLT)

A tsunami of crisis aptly described 2023; it was a most challenging year for the Lee family. Pat started treatment for T-cell Lymphoma which has lasted for more than a year. It was one relentless cycle of different chemotherapy drugs after another. It took a toll on Pat's health, immune system, weight and energy. Debbie and Becky, our two daughter, were tested as potential donors for a allogenic stem cell transplant for Pat on 22 February 2024. Debbie has been selected to be the donor and she is back in Singapore for medical examinations, tests and mobilisation of stem cells. 

We hope and pray that Pat will achieve remission and be cured of the Lymphoma. Family members and many friends from around the world are joining us in prayer. Above these prayers, we know that we are at God's disposal entirely and His will shall prevail in our lives.

At such times of prayers and seeking assistance from God, we are reminded that God will protect those He loves. Martin Luther wrote the hymn of 'A Mighty Fortress is our God' declaring this assurance.

Described as the Battle Hymn of the Reformation, Martin Luther wrote it to rally the reformation against the onslaught of persecutions and opposition. One can imagine the numerous times when the singing of this hymn assisted Martin Luther through many a difficult year, as the reformation took on the might and influence of the Roman Catholic Church

The lyrics are inspired by Psalm 46. This Psalm described 3 different scenes indicating the presence of God in all circumstances.

• The Raging Seas - Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:2-3

• The Peaceful Stream - There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Psalm 46:4-5

• The Mighty Fortress - Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice and the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46: 6-7

A mighty Fortress is our God,
A Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever.

When one is buffeted with life’s difficulties and challenges, it can be a very frightening experience. One problem follows another much like the relentless waves of a raging storm. Yet, Psalms 46:1 resonates across the waves, 

'God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in times of trouble.'

So, despite a difficult year past, looking ahead, this hymn will be our anthem for 2024 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.

Lionel

My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me

'I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.' John 10:14a

My Christian brother, Dr Koh Hai Yong, once made this comment, "Oftentimes we as parents are overly anxious about our children. Are they doing well in school? Are they mixing with the right company? Are we providing enough for them? Then, this thought came to my mind – no matter how much we love and are concerned about our children, God loves them and cares for them infinitely more. I am emancipated!" 

Hai Yong's comment reminded me of this picture that my father in law the late Rev Kao gave us. It was a picture that hung on the family wall for many years. I chose this picture amongst many that he wanted to pass on to his children because at that time the song "My heavenly father watches over me" came to mind. This picture somehow gave me much comfort that I am under the watchful eyes of Jesus. The realisation that Jesus loves us including our young children, frees us from any anxiety of growing up in an unknown future.

John 10:14-16 states

'I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.' 

We used to sing the song 'there were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold, but one was lost on the hills away, far off from the gates of gold.' The song went on to indicate how Jesus the Good Shepherd will go out of His way to search for the lost sheep. 

Hai Yong was exactly right, we Christian parents can rest in the assurance that Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

Let me share with you one email I wrote to the my girls on 20 Oct 2001 when the world was filled with uncertainty. As parents, with children living far away in UK and Australia, what else can we do but to trust in the Good Shepherd? This email went, 

"Psalms 65:2 reads 'O You (referring to God) who hear prayer, to YOU all men will come.' Just one month ago, we witnessed a dastardly terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre, New York. Now, there are the Anthrax letters attacks on Washington DC. These are times of uncertainty. No one knows what the terrorists might do. Should we not turn to God?

Psalms 65: 9 says, 'You care for the land and water it, you enrich it abundantly.' This verse is really encouraging. Despite what these evil men can do, they cannot compete with the restoration God provides. God will heal the land. All they can do is create trouble, some mischief. Soon it will pass and they will be gone but God's creation remains. 

That God answers prayers is a statement of fact. It is not only when we turn to him that he hears our prayers. No, it just a plain fact that God hears prayers. And because he does, he draws us to Him, people like us who acknowledge His presence and preeminence at these times. I would you both to go to God in prayer often. 

We may not have the inclination to spend hours or even minutes in prayer. Few people do. But at every chance and every remembrance, whisper a prayer. When we travel and we remember someone say a prayer. When we wake up and when we go to sleep just pray a few sentences. If we have a need, pray to God. A few short sentences anywhere and at any time will do. We will then cultivate an attitude that acknowledges God as someone, though beyond us, is infinitely greater. Yet we can always bring a need, a fear, an anxiety, a joy, a laughter, an inspiration to Him and He will hear us."

The picture of the Good Shepherd makes me feel secure. See how the lamb is folded within the left arm of Jesus! And on the right hand is the staff to ward away things evil, destructive or predatory.

The hymn, 'My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me.' reminds us that we can put our trust in God at all times. When we experience the storms of life, when we appear to be in the lions' den or in a dark alley, Jesus is there keeping and watching over us.

1. I trust in God wherever I may be,
   Upon the land, or on the rolling sea,
   For come what may, from day to day,
   My heav’nly Father watches over me.
   • Refrain:
     I trust in God, I know He cares for me;
     On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;
     Though billows roll, He keeps my soul;
     My heav’nly Father watches over me.
2. He makes the rose an object of His care,
   He guides the eagle through the pathless air,
   And surely He remembers me;
   My heav’nly Father watches over me.
3. I trust in God, for, in the lion’s den,
   On battlefield, or in the prison pen,
   Through praise or blame, through flood or flame,
   My heav’nly Father watches over me.
4. The valley may be dark, the shadows deep,
   But, oh, the Shepherd guards His lonely sheep;
   And through the gloom He’ll lead me home,
   My heav’nly Father watches over me.

Lionel

Updated Article, Previously posted on 25 May 2007

If you carry the weight of the world upon your shoulders, I know my brother that He will carry you.

"Endure hardship as discipline. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however if produces a harvest of righteousness and peace..." Heb 12:7 and 11

For some of us, life has become tough. We hope to find the true meaning and contentment for our Christian lives and yet in the living of it some suffer pain, some are struck with illnesses and handicaps; others are laden with emotional burdens. 

Life has become a burden for the whole world as we grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. Many countries are now in a lockdown mode. All of us are supposed to stay at home, some enforced by law. Today for the first time ever, we will not celebrate Easter with a church worship service, we will do so by virtual meetings using the Internet.

We can only imagine the untold suffering and grief of those who have lost loved ones, lost jobs, lost businesses and lost hopes. It is not easy to bear this pain, this cross, this discipline. We know that the Christian experience can be a life of strenuous pilgrimage of endurance and perseverance and yet we ask, where and when will this journey end. There are no easy answers. Only God knows. 

We marvel at the fortitude of St Clare who stated “Ever since I have known the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, no suffering has been bothersome, no penance too severe, no infirmity has been hard.” But most of us cannot claim to possess such strength. 

Let us take some comfort in a prayer by St. Augustine

“God of our life, these are days when the burden we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies are grey and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage.

Flood the path with light, run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music, give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to Your honour and glory.”

This past week was the Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. We were banned from meeting together in church worship because of the complete shutdown from all human contact in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. We missed the physical furnishings, furniture and familiarity of our local churches. However, using IT and Internet facilitation we were united in spirit if not by physical contact. Although stripped bare of these physical props, it did not prevent the presence of Christ to reach everyone of us.

From Perth, Pastor Benny Ho encouraged us with 3 simple messages:
1. Crisis helps us to return to the basics, it drives us to God
2. Crisis helps us to rearrange our priorities such as our relationships and spending more time in prayer
3. Crisis helps us to review leadership, those that offer solutions rather than lamentations

Jesus Christ offers solutions. He does not set us on the long and winding road alone. He is with us and Christ is risen indeed! In Matthew 11:28 to 30 Jesus said to all who are on this long road, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

We do not need to unburden ourselves to come to Jesus. 'Gentle and humble in heart' characterises Jesus. This is who He is, tender, open, welcoming, accommodating, understanding, willing. If you carry the weight of the world upon your shoulders, I know my brother that He will carry you.


Lionel