SONGS FOR PRAYER

reading for: Tuesday Night, 7 november

Matthew 25:1-13

Ready to Serve the Lord

• READ

  Matthew 25:1-13 (ESV)

  25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

  Very much like the Chinese custom of 娶亲 (qu qin), where the groom goes to the bride’s home to escort her (迎娶 yin qu) to their wedding celebration, the Jewish wedding was a big thing. But the Jewish custom was often a much longer affair. It would start with the wedding engagement, followed by an engagement period, and climax on the wedding day.

  The wedding engagement would usually take place in the bride’s father’s house and was a festive occasion with blessings, candles, and a big celebration party. During the engagement period (which could last up to a few years) before the actual marriage, the bride-to-be would continue to live in her father’s house. When the wedding day finally arrived, and after the bride was suitably dressed and perfumed, she would be taken in a festive procession to the groom’s home. The wedding procession would begin right after sunset and the bride would be escorted to the groom’s house by an entourage with torches or lanterns. The groom would go out to receive the bride and bring her into his home where blessings and celebration would last as long as seven days.

  As always in the gospels, the kingdom of God (God’s rule) is like the whole process narrated in the story, not just about the virgins. The coming of the bridegroom parallels the coming kingdom of God and the two groups of young women provide a sharp contrast between those who were prepared, or not prepared for it.

  The parable teaches that having true godly wisdom means that we live in a way that fits with the expectation of the fullness of God’s kingdom coming.

  A delay is required for the lamps to go out and for time for the young women to go to sleep. It is the delay that demonstrates the wisdom or foolishness of the participants and their readiness and anticipation of God’s rule.

• REFLECT

No one knows the time of Christ’s 2nd Coming. And even as Ps Loy reminded us on Sunday, let us be prepared and be “separated from our world glutted with distractions, deceptions and (self) desires.”  How and how well are you living wisely, and ready for the Lord’s return?

(For additional scripture reflection: Psalm 45:13-17, Song of Solomon 3:11)

reading for: Wednesday Night, 8 november

Joshua 24:1-3,14-25

Serving the Lord

• READ

  Last week, we looked at Joshua leading the people of Israel into the promised land. This week we look at the end of Joshua’s ministry after the Lord has given the people large amounts of land in the promised land. Joshua is at the end of his life, and he gathered all the tribes to Shechem and summoned the leaders of the people. They presented themselves before God. Then Joshua addressed the people, first recounting the history of Israel and more importantly how God was faithful to them. Secondly, he charged the people to fear and serve the Lord.

  Joshua 24:1–3 (ESV)

  1 Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel. And they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac.

  Joshua recounts the history from their forefather’s service of other gods and how he took Abraham and led him through the land of Canaan which they were now possessing and made his offspring many through Isaac. Verse 4 to 13 continue recounting the faithfulness of God to Israel. Joshua recounts how Abraham led to Isaac which led to Jacob. Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. From then after many generations, God sent Moses and Aaron and rescued their fathers out of Egypt displaying many miracles. Joshua then takes pains to describe how the God led them through the Red Sea and how they lived in the wilderness a long time. Finally, he speaks about their possessing of the land on both sides of the Jordan and how they had land that they had not laboured and that they had fruit that they had not planted.

  Joshua 24:14–25 (ESV)

  14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, 17 for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 And the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.” 19 But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” 21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the Lord.” 22 Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23 He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 24 And the people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.” 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem.

  Joshua then commanded the people to serve and fear the Lord. He instructed them to put away their idols and serve the Lord. They were to choose this day whom they will serve. Joshua then declared that for him and his household they will serve the Lord. The people answered that they will serve the Lord and not other gods for it was the Lord that brought the people out from Egypt and did great signs and wonders for them.

  Joshua warns the people that they are not able to serve the Lord for the Lord is a holy and jealous God. He warns them that the Lord will judge and consume them if they forsake him. The people reiterated that they would serve the Lord. Joshua then declares that they are witnesses against themselves that they will serve the Lord. The people acknowledged that they are witnesses. Joshua then commands the people to put away their idols and serve the Lord. The people responded in obedience that they will serve and obey the Lord.  A covenant was made with the people that day.

  After the events of that day, Joshua sent the people home to their inheritance and not long after this things he died.

• REFLECT

  Towards the end of the year, let us recount how God has been faithful to us this year. Let us praise and thank God for his faithfulness and blessings this year. Praise the Lord!

  Joshua charged the people to obey, serve and fear God. This same charge lies before us. Let us respond to the charge of Joshua to obey, fear, and serve the Lord. Pray and say to him the words of commitment before him that you would serve, fear, and obey him.

  Serving the Lord is difficult and there are many challenges that lie before us.  Therefore, we need the strength and guidance from the Lord to serve him. Pray that he will give you the strength to serve and obey him.

reading for: Thursday Night, 9 november

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Waiting for the Return of the Resurrected LordScripture Reading:

• Psalm 78:1-7

“13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words (1 Thess 4:13-18).”

Commentary:

In today’s reading, Paul was writing to encourage the Thessalonian Christian amid some real doubts and questions about death, what that means, and the fate of those who have died.

Even among devout Jesus’ followers and friends today, the death of someone can be immensely difficult and can mean painful adjustments and grieving processes that can take months or even years. This was not the issue and what Paul was addressing. He was not by any means saying that as Christians it is not right to grieve or mourn the loss of someone. Instead, the troubling question and doubt that Paul was addressing here was that of the fate of those who have died.

Why was the fate of those who had died so important to the Thessalonian church that Paul had to address it? Afterall, for many of us today, death is something we think very little about or perhaps try to think little about. We usually have a vague sense of life (or nothingness) after death with very little implications on our actual lives because thinking too intently about it can be really morbid, depressing, and despairing especially for those without our blessed hope (v13). Instead, we busy ourselves planning our lives as if we have many years ahead and take for granted that we will wake up the next day. This predominant posture and behaviour is perhaps something that we ought to apply special consideration about. Especially since Jesus Christ’s parable of the rich fool counsels us precisely against living our lives in such a way (Luke 12:13-21).

A Good Problem

So why did it bother the Thessalonian Christians so much? The likely reason for this here can be described as a good problem. Quite a few theologians and scholars (including John Stott) have strongly suggested that these doubts and concerns were because of what Paul taught and modelled in his life with respect to how we ought to live our lives as we wait for Christ imminent return (v17). Like what Jesus taught in the parable of the 10 virgins, he also taught them to be ready for Jesus’ return at all times (Matt 25:1-13). As such many of them likely even considered that they would not die until or before Christ’s return.

It is then not hard to imagine that when fellow brothers and sisters in Christ died, it also brought real questions and doubts to their faith. What is to happen to those who have died before Christ returned? Would they then be missed out? It is to such doubts and questions and concerns that Paul wrote today’s passage to encourage them. Just like how Jesus Christ Himself lived, died and rose again from the grave, we whose faith and lives are in Him (living or dead) will also rise with Him in His returning and be with Him forever (v14-18)!

• REFLECT

  Do we wrestle enough with Christ’s eminent return? Does the outworking of our faith look more like that of our Thessalonian brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Thess 4:13-18) or does it look more like the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21)? As the year comes to an end, make plans to review the trajectory of your life and the lives of your family (biological and spiritual). As salt and light to the world, ensure our lives truly reflect the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Repent and turn from the kind of life that only further the narrative the godless world is trying to sell. Pray and ask God for His mercy and grace live a life that reflect the truths and Good News we have received. Be accountable to one another as a spiritual family in Christ as we spur one another forward to live lives that is ready for our Bridegroom’s return.

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 10 november

 Psalm 78:1-7

Scripture Reading:

• READ

78 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
    incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
    I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
    that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
    but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
    and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a testimony in Jacob
    and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
    to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them,
    the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
7     so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
    but keep his commandments;

Commentary:

Why should we bother with history? Why dwell on the past?

Psalm 78 is the longest historical Psalm. And Asaph the writer is a renown Levite and musician in Israel's history. In other words, this recounting of Israel's history and God's faithfulness isn't for the sake of a history lesson, but for worship. For praise, adoration and worship.

Why would we speak and sing about stories of old, lessons from the past and "old grandmother stories"? (V. 2 and 3)

Why would we not hide our past failures but speak the truth of our past?

Because in our history and past, we can see His work, His power and His wonders (v. 4).

In our past we see our victories and failures in hearing and obeying God's instructions (v. 5).

And these stories of our past are perfect windows through which our children, our grandchildren and great grandchildren can come to see and know God the Father (v 6).

These stories which are glimpses into our lives are God's chosen means to stir up hope for each generation (v.7).

Why? So that each generation might learn, discover and walk with their God, with hope in their time.

• REFLECT

  In order to speak and tell of such stories and encounters with God we must first be attentive to His presence in our everyday life. It’s not that God isn't doing anything nor is He dead. He's alive and at work through His Spirit in our lives.

  It is us who are often too busy and hurried.

  Take a 10 minutes walk today and recount 2 or 3 significant moments in your past week.

  How did you feel in each moment?

  What pressures and stresses were you experiencing in your heart and mind?

  What joy and delight were you experiencing?

  Where was God and what do you think He was doing in those moments? (Ask Him to show and reveal it to you as you be quiet for a few minutes)