18 March 2020
Dear FPBC Family,
Shalom and blessed greetings to all.
The crisis brought about by the Covid-‐19 virus continues to rage in Malaysiashowing no signs of abatement. Yesterday, the number of cases increased by 120 and tragically our country recorded its first deaths –a 34-‐year-‐old man in Johor and a 60-‐year-‐old man in Sarawak. The latter was Pastor David Cheng who was the pastor of brother Franklin’s home church, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kuching.
And today is the first day of the implementation of the restricted movement order by the Government. Our country is in a kind of “lock down”.There was also a mention of a lock down in the Bible in Joshua 6:1 where Jericho “was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.” We are in a lock down from today to shut out the Covid-‐19 virus and prevent it from wreaking havoc with our health.
Yesterday, Pastor Alvin had written a letter to the church family reminding us that the only safety and security that we can find in the world is in God (Psalm 91). He also encouraged us to “dwell continually in God’s presence” –to praise, pray and read God’s Wordextendedly by ourselves or with our families. He reminded us that by doing this we will be able to shift our focus from the happenings around us to God. I urge all of us to heed this call of his. This period of “enforced” confinement in our homes provides excellent opportunities for us to spend extended time with God and reap the benefits of doing that.
This morning, I am reminded of this very familiar verse from Isaiah 40:31 –“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”The secret to strength, supernatural strength is a spiritual discipline called “waiting on the Lord.” This waiting is not a passive activity but one that is active that involves engaging ourselves with God. It means waiting patiently with expectancy and hope that God will speak and provide guidance. It is the sure hope that God will restore, refresh, renew and reenergize so much so that we will be able to take to the skies on wings like eagles.
In verse 26, Isaiah tells us to lift up our eyes on high to see the starry hosts and to be struck by the truth that it was God who had created them and by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one is missing! Do not fall into the temptation to complain during this trying time that “your way is hidden from the Lord and that your cause is disregarded by God.” Trust him who calls each star by name and keeps them in their place. He too knows each one of us by name. Be confident that the Everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, the one who does not grow tired and weary will give us strength and increase our power as we wait on him during this time. I am reminded of the song “Still” and the second stanza of the song goes like this:
Find rest my soul in Christ alone
Know His power in quietness and trust.
Use this time (engineered by God) to spend extended time in His presence. Be still in your spirit and wait on Him with patience and expectancy. Most of all, just enjoy being with Him.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many brothers and sisters in our church family for showing love to one another through works of service. This morning, Faith, very kindly wrote to me offering the services of her CG members just in case I need help with errands. And my dear brother, Kin On, expressed concern about members of our church family who are homebound whether they will be further inconvenienced the lock down. Hebrews 13:16 –“And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” I am encouraged by their concern and caring attitude. This is love in action and the expression of body life as God intends it to be. I believe that in the midst of our being concerned for our own and our family’s wellbeing we should also display similar loving concern to those who are in need within the church body as well as to those outside of it. Let us not allow any opportunity to do good pass us by during this time.
Take care, everyone, and stay safe.
Blessings,
Elder Jeremy Chew
24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!Amen. (Jude)