Grace Church Adult Fellowship Retreat
Penang (Nov 9-11)
Rev Yap Kim Sin gave three clear, practical and relevant messages on the theme, “Ancient Psalms for Modern Living”:
1. Confidence in Crisis (Psalm 46)
2. Is This World Out of Control? (Psalm 2)
3. The Song of Protection (Psalm 91)
In an excerpt taken from the AF retreat booklet, Rev Yap writes:
For centuries, the Book of Psalms has been read and cherished by people from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints.
As poetry, the Psalms speak directly to the heart in ways that prose may not. However, they are more than poetry. Many of them are also teaching psalms, intended to instruct the mind as well as encourage the heart. As one author puts it:
“They are designed not only to reflect a mood, but to show us also how to handle that mood; how to escape from depression, or how to balance exaltation with wisdom. This quality is the mark of their divine character.”
Praise God for a truly enriching time of learning and fellowship. We are also thankful for the Adult Fellowship (AF) Committee members, Eric, Richard and Augustine, together with Rev Lee, Soon Beng and Angeline, who each played their part in making this retreat a meaningful and blessed experience. All glory to our Lord Jesus Christ!
Rev Tan Eng Boo
Help My Unbelief
By Robert VanDoodewaard
In Mark 9:14–29, we read of a man who struggled deeply with the condition of his son. He brought this demon-possessed, self-destructive child to the disciples for healing. They were unable to help him. When the Lord Jesus finally comes to the man’s aid, He says, “All things are possible for one who believes.” The father’s tearful response is, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”
John Calvin was realistic about the weakness of many believers’ faith. In his commentary on Mark 9, he states about the father’s mixed confession:
These two statements may appear to contradict each other, but there is none of us that does not experience both of them. …As our faith is never perfect, it follows that we are partly unbelievers; but God forgives us, and exercises such forbearance towards us, as to reckon us believers on account of a small portion of faith. It is our duty, in the meantime, carefully to shake off the remains of infidelity that adhere to us.
Especially during trials, Christians may still struggle with evil thoughts, moments of cowardice, or doubts about the Savior Himself. We must admit that these are indeed dangerous moments. When such thoughts are entertained, they must be repented of quickly. The answer, however, is not to remain in doubt or to be paralyzed with guilt. It is to come to Christ and to trust that His grace is sufficient to cover even your sins of unbelief.
“Help My Unbelief” by Robert VanDoodewaard. © Ligonier Ministries 2021. Used by permission of Ligonier Ministries. All rights reserved.
Comments