SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS
(Synopsis of Message Preached at the Wedding Ceremony of Mr and Mrs Wee Bo Hao)
It is our privilege and delight today to witness the holy matrimony of our brother Bo Hao and sister Nyssha. It is our sincere desire that they may a happy marriage in the Lord. We are thus much encouraged that they have chosen the first half of Psalm 100:2 to begin their lives together as husband and wife.
The choice of Psalm 100:2a reveals two things about the couple:
(I) Their Desire
Firstly, their desire is to have a marital life filled with joy and gladness. This is possible only because of Jesus Christ.
Why can they be glad and joyful in Christ?
Christ is their Saviour. Every man is conceived in sin. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23a). Eternal condemnation awaits those whose sins are not forgiven and cleansed.
However, the Bible tells us that God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). The gospel is this: that Christ died on the cross, and was buried, and rose from the day for the justification of sinners. Those who repent of their sins, and believe in Christ shall find salvation.
How thankful we are that Bo Hao and Nyssha have professed to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Therefore, there is gladness in their hearts. How about you, my friends?
Christ is their Sustainer. Christ is the one who brought both of you together as husband and wife. Christ is also the one who will keep you joyfully together as husband and wife. Marriage is not a bilateral but a trilateral relationship. When husband and wife are founded upon the Rock, your marriage will never be upon the rocks!
The secret of a happy marriage is not man’s word but God’s Word. Read God’s Word. Believe God’s Word. Obey God’s Word. Pray and seek the Lord in every circumstance of life. If you do so, your life together will be sweeter as the days go by.
(II) Their Purpose
Secondly, the couple has purposed in their hearts to serve the Lord. They have given their whole lives to Christ. Christ has been so good to them. Surely it is but reasonable service for them serve Christ, and to serve Him in all gladness.
How then may they serve the LORD?
By setting up a godly family.
Be wholly devoted as husband and wife in the pursuit of godliness. When the Lord grants children, bring them up in the fear and ad monition of the Lord. May the Lord find it pleasing to grant you a home where the Bible is read, prayers are made, hymns are sung, and Christ is obeyed.
By bearing a good testimony to loved ones and friends.
Show the love of Christ in the truth of the gospel to your families and those whom you work with.
By helping one another to fulfil God’s call.
Do not be a hindrance to what God has appointed your spouse to do, but support him/her in the labour for Christ.
It is a high vocation to serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords. How wonderful it is that the Lord has given the two of you each other to labour together for Him. Christ has showered you with His rich mercies. Surely it is but a reasonable service to give your all to Him as a wedded couple. Never forget the Lord, and the Lord will bless your marriage.
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SPURGEON ON PSALM 37:4
(From The Treasury of David)
There is an ascent in this third precept. He who was first bidden not to fret, was then commanded actively to trust, and now is told with holy desire to delight in God.
“Delight thyself also in the LORD.” – Make Jehovah the joy and rejoicing of thy spirit. Bad men delight in carnal objects; do not envy them if they are allowed to take their fill in such vain idols; look thou to thy better delight, and fill thyself to the full with thy sublime portion. In a certain sense imitate the wicked; they delight in their portion – take care to delight in yours, and so far from envying you will pity them. There is no room for fretting if we remember that God is ours, but there is every incentive to sacred enjoyment of the most elevated and ecstatic kind. Every name, at-tribute, word, or deed of Jehovah should be delightful to us, and in meditating thereon our soul should be as glad as the epicure who feeds delicately with a profound relish for his dainties.
“And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” – A pleasant duty here is rewarded with another pleasure. Men who delight in God desire or ask for nothing but what will please God; hence it is safe to give them carte blanche. Their will is subdued to God’s will, and now they may have what they will. Our innermost desires are here meant, not our casual wishes; there are many things which nature might desire which grace would never permit us to ask for; these deep, prayerful, asking desires are those to which the promise is made.