Tuesday

 Tuesday Fellowship: 
12 Aug 2025 at 11am, in Plaza Hall.
Speaker: Dr Roland Chia
Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine, Trinity Theological College.
He has a PhD in Theology, from King’s College, University of London. He is the Theological & Research Advisor of the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity, and has written many papers on behalf of the National Council of Churches in Singapore (NCCS). He has spoken at UNESCO Conferences on
Bioethics, Human Rights, Social Justice.

To register, text your name to 9178 9338/9484 6652.

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Psalm 121

The Book of Psalms was the hymnal of Israel, in Old Testament times. It comprises 150 songs of Prayer and Praise. Included are 13 Songs of Ascents. (Psalm 120 to 134). According to the Law of Moses, every male Israelite is required to “appear before the Lord God” in the Temple in Jerusalem, three times a year, during the following 3 Pilgrimage Feasts: (Exod 23:14-17/Deu 16:16)

1. Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover/Pesach):
   Spring: March/April. Barley harvest.
   Commemorates: Deliverance from Egypt. 7 weeks/49 days later:-
2. Feast of Weeks/Harvest (Pentecost/Shavuot):
   Spring: May/June. Wheat harvest.
   Commemorates: Giving of the Law at Mt Sinai.
3. Feast of Tabernacles/Booths/Ingathering (Sukkot):
   Autumn: Sept/October. Grape/Fruit harvest.
   Commemorates: 40 Years Wilderness Journey with God’s provision and protection.

The Songs of Ascents were sung by the pilgrims as they climbed upwards upon the hills on which Jerusalem and the Temple were located. Psalm 121 reminds the pilgrims of God’s Faithfulness and encourages them to Trust in Him in times of trouble.

1. I lift up my eyes to the mountains –
       where does my help come from?
2. My help comes from the Lord,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.

NB: The Jewish pilgrim from the surrounding regions heads for Jerusalem, setting his eyes upon the mountains. While looking upwards, to the mountains, he “sees” beyond them, by faith, the unseen Creator– the Maker of heaven and earth. He is reminded of God’s Mighty Power and Sovereignty over the whole of creation. He exclaims that the ultimate source of his help is from the Lord!

Today, the follower of Jesus can say: “This is my Father’s world”! She/he can look upwards, lifting her eyes, “above” all disturbing circumstances/challenges she is facing, to what is beyond! From the seen which is transient, to the unseen Maker of the universe(s), who is loving, faithful, powerful and eternal! (ie. Look “above” the children’s less than “perfect” grades/vaping addiction/bullying experience in school/undesirable internet influences; “Above” spousal infidelity/domestic violence; family conflicts; workplace discrimination/harassment; daunting deadlines/targets; financial struggles; loneliness or isolation; medical or mental health issues...)
No problem is too big for our Creator. The Christian can trust in His unfailing love, help and plans/purposes for her life.

3. He will not let your foot slip –
       he who watches over you will not slumber;
4. Indeed, he who watches over Israel
       will neither slumber nor sleep.

NB: The road the pilgrim travels on is likely to be rocky. Yet his God can protect him from spraining his ankle or suffering a fracture, by slipping. This watchful God will (Hebrew: shamar) keep/watch over/guard/ preserve the pilgrim, without pausing to sleep! He watches over the pilgrim with ceaseless attention. Indeed the psalmist indicates that God has a special relationship with Israel! The repetitive use of the word “keep”/“watch over” (occurring 6 times in this psalm) emphasizes the watchfulness and vigilance of the Covenant-keeping God of Israel.

Today, the follower of Jesus is assured of His constant guidance and protection. He watches over her with unwavering attention. How reassuring, in such uncertain times! Though life’s pathways may sometimes be “rocky”/difficult, the steadying hand of God Most High will strengthen and sustain His people, both young and elderly.
In Jesus, she/he can Stand Firm: (as urged by Paul)
    “Stand firm in the faith, be strong.” (1 Cor 16:13)
    “Stand firm... in the Lord.” (Phil 4:1)
    “Take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Eph 6:14)
(Armour of God: Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of the readiness given by the Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation,
Sword of the Spirit= Word of God...Praying at all times in the Spirit. “

5. The Lord watches over you – (ie. “The Lord is your Keeper”...)
       The Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6. The sun shall not harm you by day,
       nor the moon by night.

NB: God is the Keeper of Israel ... and of the individual soul (reference to “you”)! He cares for the spiritual, physical, emotional, mental needs of Israel and all who put their trust in the Lord Jesus, and His substitutionary sacrifice on the Cross, as the Perfect Lamb of God. The Lord is beside the pilgrim, actively shielding the pilgrim, from the scorching sun by day and the chilly drop in temperature at night. (Day and Night implies “all the time”.) What God permits into our lives, (His permissive will), may hurt us but will not “harm” us.

Today: Our Heavenly Father watches over us from His Throne, the Lord Jesus actively intercedes for us, seated at the right hand of the Father, and the Holy Spirit lives within every true believer (not necessarily every “churchgoer”...)
Sincere, repentant believers may wonder why they are still stricken by injuries/Covid/pandemics? In this fallen world, the assurance of protection from “harm” refers to the eternal safety of each true believer’s soul!
She/he is kept safe on Earth, as long as it is within the will of God, in accordance with His plan for her/his life.

7. The Lord will keep you from all harm –
      he will watch over your life;
8. The Lord will watch over your coming and going
      both now and forevermore.

NB: It is the Almighty God who will protect the pilgrim from “all harm”, watch over his life, his coming and going (ie. his pilgrimage journey and return, his daily activities, including minor details.) His watchfulness extends both “now and forevermore”. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, though the pilgrim was robbed and beaten on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem, and though the Levite and priest passed by without rendering assistance, the Good Samaritan did! He (1) bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine (2) put the man on his own donkey (3) brought him to an inn (4) took care of him (5) paid the innkeeper to look after the pilgrim (6)promised the innkeeper to reimburse him for any additional expense, upon his return. Jesus was teaching about being a good/helpful neighbour. (Luke 10:25-37)
(Thought: The needy pilgrim would likely be thanking God for watching over him and bringing help in his time of need, despite the adverse consequences of a
fallen world.)

Today: Our Heavenly Father continues to maintain constant watch over his beloved children. All that happens in your lives, your daily busy activities, take place under His watchful eye. The stress, attempts at work-life balance, the demanding needs of caregiving of elderly parents, work schedules and parenting of teenage/little loved ones, often take a toll on the physical, mental, emotional well-being of God’s kingdom people. May the “Maker of heaven and earth”/our Good Shepherd, who maintains vigilant watch over each beloved soul/sheep, strengthen and help you, “now and forevermore”. 

Grace and Peace to all.

Q1: Are you looking upwards, beyond life’s circumstances/world events, and keeping close to your Keeper? (ie. praying, reading the Bible, trusting in His unfailing
love and faithfulness.)

Q2. Would you help by sharing the Good News of: God’s Amazing Grace and Jesus’ Sacrificial Love with those whom you are in contact with – within your home,
workplace and community?

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Memory Verse:

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

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Saturday

 

WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group

“Psalms of Prayer and Praise!”
The Psalms is the most often quoted OT book in the New Testament. It is much loved because it expresses a wide range of human emotions and life experiences, which all readers can identify with. It also reminds us to trust God who is loving, faithful and sovereign over human affairs, history, nations and creation.

Next Meeting: 23 Aug 2025 at 2pm (online)
The WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group “meets” on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.

We study Holy Scripture to know God better, and gain a better understanding of His work in the world and His ways. In the process, we encourage one another along our personal pilgrimage.

We welcome ladies of all ages! (online)