Sayings of the Lord are Pure Sayings (Psalm 12:6)

I would have perished in my afflictions if not for Your word, O Lord. This morning I woke up listless, woken up several times during the small hours of the night as my mind was overly active with three sermons to prepare for this weekend starting Saturday morning. But when I read a Psalm, especially a promise in Psalm 118, I felt restful and my soul was no longer in turmoil. Outwardly, circumstances suggest otherwise. Most doors are already closed for me, though I must say I was surprised that from late Oct to late December my schedule of preaching is filled up. But preaching alone does not make a whole ministry based on the Word. There are much strivings among the peoples as if there is a battle for the soul of the church. One is an anti-intellectual movement that is very powerful that says anyone and everyone can be a priest like the times of King Jeroboam who appointed priests from the common people, in fact from the lowliest of all. Obviously, the theology is that God can use anyone, did He not call fishermen and they changed the world? But nowadays many pastors are worse than fishermen.

They came into ministry without experience, no work experience and often come from the lowliest of the academic achievers. Those who could not further to Form 6 or University go to Bible College. While in the 60s and 70s, we take pride them in all who have given up their lives to serve God, but the society has changed much in 50 years. People are getting more educated. Universities flourish everywhere. Even with a good Bachelor degree there is no guarantee of work and nowadays many go for Masters. Without English skills, it is near impossible to land a professional job. But yet priests and pastors come from backgrounds that are pitiable. Does not God call those who are like Daniel, smart, intelligent and knowing much literature? In fact, the prophet Daniel is the exemplar of what a servant of God in the end time should look like. Yet, many fall short. People in pews sit passively and listen without much interest for sermons are weak, but what do you expect from mostly uneducated pastors, and even secular educated elders and preachers are usually so shallow in theology?