Silent Retreat

If but thine ear be open, and thy thoughts brought into subjection, and thine heart prepared in silence to wait upon God and to hear what He speaks, He will reveal to thee His secrets.

Andrew Murray

This Saturday I was invited to share about our calling & ministry for spiritual encouragement to others. And tonight what an opportunity to be alone and in silence before God. The first song that came to mind was,”MenyenangkanMu.” In English it means,”Pleasing You.” And it borrows the idea from few passages such as:

• However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24)
• His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” (John 2:17)
• So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. (2 Cor 5:9)
• Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (2 Tim 2:21)

The second song that came to mind was one my favorite singer, Don Moen. He writes beautifully this song,”I Offer My Life”. And I think it’s based on Romans 12:1,”I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

And the third song that came to mind was the song that was sang on Joe’s wake service,”How Great is Our God.” The two just does not usually sit together. Singing of God’s greatness and the sadness of a dear one passing away. However, there was this beauty in that service, and it actually brings new meaning to the idea of God’s greatness and human’s death. It is a worship song that declares God’s greatness. Even death of a loved one is immaterial before God’s greatness. In fact, in God’s divine economy, what was considered loss is a great gain.

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. ~ John 12:24

So, ironically, God is answering Joe’s heart desire and prayer. Through a single death, there will be plentiful harvest. Just a Jesus’s death on the cross achieves God’s purpose and plan, so we will see a great harvest of righteousness from Singapore.

And the final closing song that came to me, a very beautiful & yet difficult to sing. By God’s grace we sing to God’s glory,”I Surrender All”.

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him,
In his presence daily live.

Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all,
All to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at his feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
(Refrain)

All to Jesus I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that thou art mine.
(Refrain)

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to thee,
Fill me with thy love and power,
Let thy blessing fall on me.
(Refrain)

All to Jesus I surrender;
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to his name!
(Refrain)