It's always a joy to meet the folk there and to share fellowship and worship with them. We have some of the most faithful salvationists there and we thank God for them. One sister, Emelie now a grandmother was a childhood friend of mine. We were neighbours at Lorong Limau and attended Balestier Corps together.
Jimi Tan the chaplain from Peacehaven came for us at 9.00 a.m Sunday morning. On the way to church, he picked up his family at Pasir Ris and we travelled together to the Corps.
We began the meeting with the Song: "Thank You Lord for all Thy goodness, through the years of yesterday" (Song 552 SASB) Beautiful words penned by August Ludwig Storm and translated into English by Flora Larsson the mother of General John Larsson (R). We thank God for all His goodness - present blessings, each new revelation and things God has chosen to hide from us; sunlit pathways and byways rough. And the phrase that touched me most as I sang, 'for the peace you give me even when the spirit bleeds.' There are times when our spirit bleeds, but the Lord is there in our trials, pain and suffering.
We sang an old hymn, "Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee" (Song 617 SASB). The writer Sarah Adams wrote this beautiful hymn based on Jacob's experience as recorded in Genesis 28: 10-22. My message for the morning was based on Genesis 35 God instructed Jacob 'Arise, go up to Bethel and live there; and make an altar there to God who appeared to you when you fled from our brother Esau." Yes, Jacob had to go back to Bethel, back to the place of Vision, the place where he had heard the Voice of God and the place where he had made his Vow.
Many years had passed since that night when he fled from the wrath of his brother Esau. A lot of things had happened since that terrible night. God wanted him to go back or as the Malay saying goes, "Balek Kampong."
The meeting concluded with our folk moving quietly and solemnly to the Mercy Seat to renew their covenants with the Lord. How wonderful to see couples walking hand in hand up the aisle to the Altar, families coming together and many came alone to renew their vows as the congregation sang that song of dedication,
"I would be Thy holy temple, sacred and indwelt by Thee'
Naught then could stain my commission, 'Tis Thy divine charge to me.
Take thou my life, Lord, In deep submission I pray,
My all to Thee dedicating, Accept my offering today."
What a beautiful sight - seekers at the Altar rededicating their lives to God.
After the meeting we went to Simei for lunch with a number of comrades. Again we thank God for another great day spent in Changi. Thank God for the privilege of service in His Kingdom.
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