A TIME FOR YEAR-END REFLECTIONS (1 SAMUEL 2:30)

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

A time for year-end reflections

We have come to the close of another year. Soon, another 365 days of our lives will pass by, proverbially, as we say, “it's water under the bridge.” The year-end is also a time for us to reflect and take stock on what we have done, what we have achieved and where is our next course of action going to take us.  In this step of contemplation, we are drawn to the wisdom of scriptures when we consider the words of the man of God to Eli when he said, “them that honour me I will honour.”

“Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”  1 Samuel 2:30

Although there are many things which we reflect on when it comes to the year-end, above all things, we must remember to honour God. There are many things that we hope to improve upon, and thinking and reflecting and planning ahead is very necessary. We should think about what we can do to honour God. The people of the world will plan and devise ways to make their lives on earth better and more fulfilling. Some may think about improving their personal finances, they may be thinking about how to enrich themselves or their goals may be to increase their savings. Some may set personal goals, like having more regular exercise regime, or some health goals like healthier eating and living. By all means, take care of your health and physical needs in this life. More importantly, it is to please the Lord Jesus and to glorify His name. We should consider what we can do to honour God in the year ahead. On this thought, I hope to draw attention to our spiritual lives. The two questions to consider are - How can I honour God in my personal devotional life? And, how can I honour God in my service to Him? 

A. Am I honouring God in my personal devotion in the past year?

As a believer, each one of us should know about the importance of maintaining a close spiritual walk with the Lord Jesus. This is the way we honour God and acknowledge His reign over our daily lives. This is the call to every believer, to feed on God’s Word daily, and to commune with God in prayer. This is a time for reflection on personal devotion. I would ask myself – am I seeking God’s Word daily, reading the Bible for precious treasures of wisdom for my life? The Bible teaches us that,

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalm 119:130

I would ask myself if I have embarked on a plan to read through the Bible, and if I have, how has been my progress? It has been three years since we have started encouraging members and worshippers to embark on a “read through the Bible” exercise. It is good to start a regular reading programme to complete the books of the Bible. I would encourage everyone who has started to persevere with this exercise. It will strengthen our knowledge of the Bible, and it will help us retain precious truths which we can apply in our lives.

What about our personal and corporate prayer life? Prayer as we have heard often is the powerhouse of the church. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” It might be worth reflecting, in the past year have we had a fervent and consistent prayer life? Prayer is communing with God, and the closest one can get to heaven while we are on earth, is to speak to the Almighty God in prayer. In prayer, we draw nigh to God, and as the Apostle James wrote,

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8

In prayer, we come covered in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus, into the presence of the Almighty God. Brothers and sisters, let us be encouraged to be consistent in our personal devotion. Let us be steadfast in the reading of God’s Word, and let us be fervent in prayer.

B. Am I returning my service of gratitude to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

In coming to the end of the year, we would well benefit by reflecting upon the goodness of God and how we can honour Him by returning our service to Him. The Psalmist exhorts the faithful to come before God to serve Him with gladness.

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”  Psalm 100:2

The Christian serves God for His great sacrifice to redeem us from sin and condemnation. He delivers His people from eternal damnation. For that, to God we owe our eternal gratitude. How can we repay such a debt of love? We sing this in a hymn often, “drops of grief can e’er repay the debt of love I owe.” But there is something we can do, we can honour God and show our gratitude by our service and labour for Him. There are many opportunities to serve the Lord Jesus. The Bible shows us that the local church is the means by which we can interact with and participate in the work and ministry in the body of Christ.    

We have a constant need for willing hands, those whose hearts are ready to be servants of the Lord Jesus. We have been praying for some time for church pianists, there is always a need for teachers, ushers, greeters, those who serve in the lunch ministry. Dearly beloved, as we consider and reflect on the year past, and the year ahead, let us be fervent in our service for the Lord, and may God stir up the hearts of His people to serve Him. Amen

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor