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Devotional For The Week – 6 October 2008 Sermon Title: True Worship Praises God's Holiness Holiness is being set apart for God; or to be a cut above others, in Christian author, John Bevere’s definition. True worship requires us to recognise God’s holiness and likewise, respond in holiness. God is sovereign; we trust Him “The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble.” Psalm 99:1 In Psalm 99, we learn of God’s sovereign reign over the earth. He is God who is exalted over all the nations. We have to learn to trust Him in our circumstances and believe that He is a good God who watches over us and provides for us. After the Asian tsunami struck, I partnered the locals to do some disaster relief work in a Southeast Asia country. We had to travel along the Mekong River for many hours in a little boat to reach our destination. On our return journey, a huge and terrible storm struck. Our boat rocked to and fro over the choppy waves, sending chills down all the passengers onboard. I heard a voice from the Lord to pray and believe that He would save us. As I obeyed, the storm calmed down after a few minutes. Interestingly, a cloud that looked like a big hand appeared in the clear sky. Indeed, it is as God says in Isaiah 49:16: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Let us trust the God who is in sovereign control over our circumstances. God is holy; we are called to be holy “Let them praise your great and awesome name— He is holy.” Psalm 99:3 In 1 Peter 1:16, God calls us to be holy, because He is holy. God is just and righteous; at the same time, kind and compassionate. A Myanmar pastor was reaching out to a predominantly non-Christian village and facilitating the building of a well in the village. A church in Singapore had donated equipment to assist the villagers. However the pastor was afraid of telling the village leaders the source of the donation for fear of alienation and persecution, so he told them that he was the donor. However, he was later convicted that it was wrong to lie; he was called to be holy and so eventually, the pastor decided to tell the truth. Contrary to his earlier fears, the leaders were so touched by this Christian initiative that they allowed the pastor and supporting churches from Singapore to work in other surrounding villages! The pastor’s conviction towards personal holiness had broken the barriers of anti-Christian hostility built over the years. God calls us to be priests “Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on His name; they called on the LORD and He answered them.” Psalm 99:6 We are called to be priests who obey the purposes of God. We are to be God’s salt and light in our schools, work places and neighbourhoods. Thomas, a Singaporean owner of a food and beverage business, made a conscious step to obey God’s call by employing ex-convicts in his restaurant and giving them a second chance. There were challenges: Thomas had to manage the ex-convicts’ recurring bad habits and it took time for them to change. But ultimately, he had opened a window of opportunity to receive and reach out to people who needed the Lord; people whom he would meet and work with everyday at his workplace. God forgives; we forgive “O LORD our God, You answered them; You were to Israel a forgiving God, though You punished their misdeeds.” Psalm 99:8 We are called to forgive as the Lord forgives. This is a tough calling but a necessary one for us to be set apart. Tim, a pastor, was reaching out to an African village with God’s love. Some men with anti-Christ sentiments approached him one day and slashed him to death. They then cut him up into pieces. His dismembered body was sent to a hospital to be sewn up for a more decent burial. Miraculously, the Lord brought him back to life, sending shock waves through the entire village. Meanwhile, the police apprehended one of the killers. When they heard that Tim was alive, they brought the offender to Tim for identification. Before his murderer’s very eyes, Tim declined to press charges; he had forgiven him. That day, everyone understood what Tim had been preaching along; God’s love was personified through this man. Prayer Response Dear Lord, You are a holy and pure God. Help me to respond to You in holiness. As I worship You, bring to mind the unholy areas in my life You want to deal with. I desire to be like Christ. Amen. Devotional based on a message by Rev Juliette Arulrajah
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