The LORD will redeem us from hands stronger than us

https://odb.org/2025/08/28/his-superior-strength

Jeremiah 31:10–12 (NIV): 10 “Hear the word of the LORD, you nations;
proclaim it in distant coastlands:
‘He who scattered Israel will gather them
and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’
11 For the LORD will deliver Jacob
and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;
they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD—  the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds.
They will be like a well-watered garden,
and they will sorrow no more.

The above prophesy in Jeremiah came when the Israelites were in captivity in Babylon. No doubt their exile was due to their insolence and continued unfaithfulness. God allowed the Babylonians to defeat and capture them. Yet God was still with them. To teach them a lesson, but He still cared and loved them. That’s why He promised to redeem them, even though the people holding them are much more powerful. It was impossible for them as captives to free themselves. They were like their forefathers in Egypt. Only Yahweh could deliver them.

Sometimes, we make decisions based on our limited knowledge of our situation. Perhaps we couldn’t have made any other decision as the situation has become somewhat unbearable. Rather than stay and suffer, we take calculated risks to do something on our own. Instead of a steady income from a full-time job, we opt for a venture of our own. There is probably some fear and trepidation.

The message this morning is that the LORD will deliver or redeem us from hands or forces stronger than us. In other words, we need not fight on our own. With our own strength, we will not stand a chance. But with God on our side, we will overcome our situation and emerge victorious! Remember David and Goliath? Remember Elisha and his servant and the army of angels?

2 Kings 6:17 – And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

There will always be forces and hands much stronger than us, whether in our workplace or society in general or in the spiritual realm. People who come from influential or powerful families or people who are powerful themselves. Territorial spirits and strongholds in the dark world. They may want to bully or control us. Only the Lord is able to deliver us. He is the most powerful being in the universe, and the great thing is that He is our Heavenly Father, and He loves us! Amen!

Happily ever after – a beautiful ending

https://odb.org/2025/08/27/a-beautiful-ending

Revelation 21:1–5 (NIV): Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

For many years in my Christian life, I thought that life everlasting or eternal life in John 3:16 is a life lived in heaven with God and Christ for all eternity. Thus, life on earth is temporal, and we are mere pilgrims passing through; although we are in the world, we are not of the world. The existence of heaven as a place of abode for those in the faith is not in doubt. It’s just that it is not our final permanent destination. Also, more notably, in heaven, we are in spirit form with God, who is spirit. We don’t have our earthen vessel (as Paul describes our body). That body had long perished and returned to the ground when we passed away from the land of the living.

The reason for my misconception was also compounded by the fear I had of reading the book of Revelation. It was perceived as mysterious and complex. But over the last 10 years, with more emphasis placed by preachers on endtimes, the LORD has somewhat opened up Revelation to me.

The truth is that our final permanent destination as believers of Christ is the new heaven and new earth, the new Holy City of Jerusalem, described in Revelation 21. It is a very special place because God dwells among His people, and there will no longer be tears and sadness as there will be sin no more. Satan and his hordes of evil spirits have been banished to the eternal lake of fire where there is gnashing of teeth. In addition, we will not exist in spirit form but in our glorified resurrected bodies. It will be Eden recreated, the place where humankind was originally intended to live before sin came into the picture. In this etermal place, we will have access to the streams of living water and the tree of life and thus immortality. The only condition is that our names are written in the Book of Life.

To live happily ever after was an illusion created by fairy tales when we were young. As we grow up, we realise that life is full of challenges and struggles. Yet, as believers, we know that there will actually be a beautiful ending for us – a happily ever after moment, similar to David’s Psalm 23 ending where surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

The pertinent question this morning is our name written in the Book of Life? Will our names be written in the Book of Life on that day when we face Christ at the Bema Judgment Seat, or will we end up facing God at the Great White Throne Judgment? Are we responding to His calling for us? Are we living in the centre of His will, fulfilling His plans and purposes for our lives?

The LORD our Shepherd and King

https://odb.org/2025/08/26/sheep-crossing

Ezekiel 34:11–16 (NIV): 11 “ ‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

The picture of God as our shepherd is often used in the bible because Israelites were mostly shepherds themselves, herding sheep to make a living. As a livestock, sheep provides fur, which the shepherds sell or use to make clothing, milk for self consumption, or sale, and ultimately meat for special occasions. Unlike poultry, which may be reared in situ, sheep need vast grazing land with grass. They also need water, and thus, the grazing land must have streams or rivers of water. Thus, when Psalm 23 speaks of God as our shepherd, David proclaimed that the LORD would do as follows: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” (Psalm 23:2 NKJV)

Ezekial 34 above, in addition to showcasing God’s heart as a shepherd-king, is often also cited as the verse that God will bring the Jews scattered across the globe back to their homeland in Israel one day. And that prophesy in Ezekial in ancient times was fulfilled when Israel, the sovereign state, was established on May 14, 1948.

Besides taking care of His sheep, God as the shepherd-king will go all out to search for the lost. A theme repeated by Christ in the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son. In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd will leave behind his flock of 99 sheep to look for the one who got lost. This means that every single one of his flock is precious and valuable to him. They are not just a number in an Excel sheet like some of us are in our company books. Every single sheep is an air-breathing living organism that means a lot to the shepherd, so much so that he will not be satisfied until he finds the one who got lost. Not to be discarded and reported as lost, or just written off the books as a cost of shepherding (or in our modern context, the cost of doing business).

Ezekial 34 and Psalm 23 reflect the heart of our God. If we have strayed from the faith or got lost in the world or got scattered away from the flock because of our ambitions or even struggles in life, come back to the Father. Call upon the name of Jesus, our Lord, and Saviour. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts that our hearts may not be hardened against His Word and His calling. That we will start to attend church again and fellowship with other believers. That we will repent from our sins and serve God again in church. That we discard our own selfish ambitions and plans and be selfless again for God. Let Your will be done and not mine in my life, O Lord my God, the creator of heaven and earth! I pray this prayer for all of us in the most precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ ! Amen! Indeed, let Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven!

Always do what is good for everyone

https://odb.org/2025/08/25/being-a-blessing

1 Thessalonians 5:15–18 (NIV): 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

In a sporting game, it’s commendable to point out a goal when it’s scored against your team, although the referee did not see it as the ball went in but went out through a hole in the net! It is rare to do so, especially when your team ends up losing, but that’s the essence of sports – it’s more about participating than winning! At least, that’s the essence of sports originally. Nowadays, with sponsorship money and sports personalities making a living out of sports, winning has perhaps taken a life of its own!

In my line of negotiating contracts, while we may point out obvious errors and we draft fair contracts, we don’t act on behalf of the counter party. So, for example, more experienced parties may ask for certain compromises when negotiating against some tough clauses, but less experienced ones will miss them out. In being kind and fair, I can not tell them what to ask for as I always act in the best interests of my company. It is for you to ask and for me to evaluate and consider.

I guess the context of 1 Thessalonians 5:15 is more within the community of believers. That we strive to act in the best interests of everyone – always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. It speaks more of the interests of the community being above our own selfish interests. It highlights the Christian value of selfless dedication.

It reminds me of manna from heaven when the Israelites were in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. Every household gets its fair share, sufficient for the day, but it may not be kept as it gets bad. But there’s no worry as a fresh supply will come tomorrow (except for the day before the Sabbath, where they will get a double portion that can last longer than a day). However, the manna is the same one for everyone in the community. There are no distinct flavours. There were no variations that they could order to their liking. Sometimes, being selfless is to cede to the needs of the community. We accept a flavour that’s neutral. Not salty, sweet, sour, or spicy, just plain and boring. Still, it’s better than not eating!

There’s a plain flavour to Christian life. Everyone gets something similar. It is for us to work with God and the Holy Spirit to make the best of what God has given us. Not for us to pick and choose but to go with the flow and allow Jesus to mould us and help us fulfil God’s calling, plans, and purposes for our lives. Then we will discover that His will is good, acceptable, and perfect! There is selflessness even in our relationship with God – we let God decide what’s best for us even if it may appear at first sight to be plain and boring!

Have a good week ahead, everyone! Accept the life God has given us and work with Jesus to turn it into the life God wants us to really have, living in His house and the beauty of His presence! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6)!

God’s heart

https://odb.org/2025/08/22/seeing-with-gods-heart

Psalm 146
1 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. 2 I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day, their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. 6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, 8 the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.

It is sad to read about people displaced by war, like the case of Chantale Zuzi Leader highlighted in today’s ODB. See her personal account here: https://singjupost.com/dear-fellow-refugees-heres-how-i-found-resilience-chantale-zuzi-leader-transcript/

In the present Israel-Hamas conflict, many in Gaza have been killed and displaced. A war against Israel financed and supported by Iran but putting the 2 million plus Palestinians in jeopardy where the general population is powerless to act against the armed “freedom fighters” or militants, while the Israeli troops and bombs advance and destroy their homes and infrastructure.

The road to peace is fraught with difficulties as the most realistic way to peace is for Hamas to lay down their arms, but that would make them totally at the mercy of Israel. Similarly, most Ukrainians have fled the Donbass region, overrun by Russian troops. In the peace effort initiated by President Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is resisting attempts to cede territories Ukraine has lost to Russia, while Putin is determined to entrench a buffer zone against Nato in the west. In the process, many have perished from both sides.

We may be tempted to ask – where is God in all these human infractions? Many lives are lost. Yet we know human beings are not robots or animals driven purely by instinct. We have reasoning power and the will to do as we wished. The natural world must run its course.

All I can say is that God’s heart is always for the oppressed, as demonstrated by His Word and actions since ancient times. The widows, orphans, and foreigners always have a special place in Yahweh’s heart. As many have perished due to perils of men, I believe many have also been saved and rescued like Chantale Zuzi Leader.

What can we do? We can probably only pray that God will save and rescue more even as the bombs fall and the bullets fly, even as the machetes cut and maim or kill. Pray for those going through wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Pray that more will be rescued and saved even as many are killed. At the same time, be thankful that we are enjoying peace where we may earn a living, raise families, and attend church to worship God! Thank the Lord that most of the world is living in peace while enjoying the glory of His creation, from the mountains to the sea, from the north pole to the south, from he rising of the sun to its rest. Amen! We praise You, O Lord my God, my Rock and my Salvation!

Feed the need

https://odb.org/2025/08/21/feed-the-need

Acts 4:32–37 (NIV): 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power, the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time, those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

It is very highly commendable and exemplary to open a restaurant to provide a full hot meal to the needy seniors who often had to go without meals and who rarely enjoy a restaurant experience. The couple had invested their savings to make a difference. A donation box receives contributions. Lisa McMillan says, “Sometimes we find nothing there. Sometimes, a thank-you note. Sometimes $1,000. Always, we have everything we need. Our goal is to feed the need, restore dignity, and develop community.”

A similar experience arose in the early church as recorded in the book of Acts of many who were convicted by the Holy Spirit selling their possessions and sharing the proceeds with those who were in need such that no one was in need. It became a form of community living where everyone’s needs were taken care of. Somewhat similar to the socialism practised by the communists in their early days except that the focus is on the latter and not so much social equality.

In fact, nowadays communist countries practice communism more as a method of government and not as an economic system. However, in analysing the difference between the economic system of the US versus China, commentators realise that in China, the economy does not serve the interests of capital but society. Thus, economic prosperity is enjoyed by all and not only a few billionaires.

If God calls us to do what Lisa and Freddie McMillan are doing, please go ahead. For most of us, I believe we need to be more generous in how we manage our wealth and savings. The human tendency is to hold on tightly. The bible also teaches that the labourer is worthy of his wages (see 1 Timothy 5:18). Yet when we have accumulated more than we need, it benefits us to share with the needy. Why? Because it pleases God that we are looking after the underprivileged – the widows, orphans, and foreigner of ancient times. There may come a time when the community living of the 1st century believers in the book of Acts may become relevant again. For example, if we are called to face the great tribulation of the end times.

Practice generosity. As we feed the need, we will always have everything we need! It is highly unlikely that we will be needy if we are generous! The LORD our God will surely provide! Amen!

Focus on Jesus

https://odb.org/2025/08/20/eyes-front

Hebrews 12:1–3 (NIV): Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Fixing our eyes on a stationary object like a pole definitely helps us focus, and thus, in learning how to ride a bicycle, it helps us keep our balance and pedal on. Similarly, in our Christian life, we will grow much in our faith if our focus is on Christ even as the world distracts us with its bright lights and various attractions.

Nowadays, with social media, we have windows into the world without needing to be present physically. We can see and hear things from all over the world from our living room on our TV and mobile phones. No doubt it is still 2-dimensional, and we miss out on the smell of the sea or the cold breeze blowing on our skin or the warm rays of the sun lightly skimming our faces.

At the personal level, we face temptations of the devil, chipping us away from the moral character Christ is moulding and building in us. Do we do the right thing, or will we compromise our standards and look the other way? Will we be a full-bodied believer facing Christ at the Bema Judgment Seat, or will we be a believer full of holes because of the various compromises we made while we were in the land of the living?

What does it really mean to focus on Christ? Look at Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Consider also John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

At the very core of our faith, practically, to focus or keep our eyes on Jesus is simply to apply His teachings in our lives. There are no two ways about it. Remember Psalm 119:105 His Word is the lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path. Or Psalm 1 as set out below:

1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

At the end of the day, we need to go back to the Word and make it our life’s daily mission to read His Word persistently and consistently, and apply it willfully and faithfully in our daily interactions with others, in our thoughts and the things we do. Then, like the child learning how to ride a bicycle, we will pedal on and not fall!

Hints of God’s glory

https://odb.org/2025/08/19/hints-of-gods-glory

Revelation 4:6–11 (NIV): 6 Also in front of the throne, there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the centre, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night, they never stop saying:
“ ‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”

Below is a slightly edited excerpt from today’s ODB article by Brent Hackett:

Christian Spencer spent more than 20 years taking pictures in the Itatiaia National Park in Brazil. He’s ’s captured the effect of sunlight passing through the open wings of the hummingbird, where the wings create a prism-like rainbow of colours when birds fly between the bright sun and his camera lens. As we find hidden treasures in God’s creation, may we enjoy each one, knowing there’s so much more awaiting us in heaven. In heaven, we will worship God the Father and praise Him forever: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (v. 11).

There are glimpses of God’s glory hidden in creation, and as mankind discovers them one by one, we must remember to appreciate and thank God for His magnificence. The glorious wonders of His creation. Even looking at my pet cat Cotton, I marvel at the beauty of her paws, how intricately intertwined are the colours and fur. To her, it serves her to make her movements silent, but to my eyes, she’s just so beautiful. But when she’s threatened or confronted with danger, her claws will extend and protract, giving her a weapon to inflict serious damage.

Words cannot sufficiently describe the glory of God that awaits us in the new heaven and new earth. We cannot imagine how it would be like to live in the holy presence of God when we are so used to the grind of daily living here on earth. Yet we know that it will be an experience way beyond our present experiences here on earth. Nothing will beat the real thing as we only see and experience glimpses of His glory now. Nevertheless, we still look forward to those glimpses as God reveals them to us in our lives.

As we pursue Him, may He not only reveal glimpses of His glory to us in His creation, but may He reveal more of Himself and the mysteries of His Kingdom. May we grow in maturity and be transformed in our character and faith as we grow in the knowledge of Him!

May the LORD our God through His Holy Spirit grant us wisdom and discernment as we go through our work day today! May His glory shine forth that more will come to know Him in time to come!

The promise to come

https://odb.org/2025/08/18/god-will-keep-it

1 John 3:1–3 (NIV): See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

The passage above, 1 John 3:1-3,  describes three aspects of God’s saving grace: justification, glorification, and sanctification. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, all who receive Him by faith are justified (or made right with God) and become “children of God” (vv. 1-2). God’s children have the hope of being “like him” (v. 2), fully conformed to His likeness. That’s glorification. But in the meantime, “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (v. 3). That’s sanctification.

There is, thus, a sense that in preparing for His second coming, we need to get ready as much as we also need to live in this world. It doesn’t mean that we stop working and just wait for Him to come. Life still goes on. We still need to earn a living to sustain ourselves and our family. It’s just that in the process, we have to be vigilant to sanctify ourselves. We need to purify ourselves and not to intentionally sin or continue to sin. We need to maintain our righteousness before God. It’s part of the transformation of our minds as we do not conform to the pattern of this world. We may not be perfect, but we are moving forward, improving on our adherence to righteousness and holy living, day in and day out, as we become more and more like Christ, in character, actions, and thoughts. 

Because of the promise by wealthy donors to fund their college education, children as young as in kindergarten are motivated to do well in their studies in the hope of receiving the promised scholarships. Likewise, we believers should live in holiness and righteousness in anticipation of Christ’s return and the promise of eternal life that His second coming will usher in, the series of events that will occur culminating in the new heaven and the new earth.

Have a good week ahead, everyone! Another week has passed and gone, and a new week arrives as the cycle of life continues. This cycle appears to be constant, and it looks as though life goes on indefinitely, forever and ever. That’s an illusion. The reality is that we might no longer be around tomorrow or that Christ may return! In the meantime, sanctify ourselves to prepare for His coming!

Our merciful God

https://odb.org/2025/08/15/gods-property

Nehemiah 9:19–21 (NIV): 19 “Because of your great compassion, you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day, the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. 20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. 21 For forty years, you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.

An excerpt from today’s ODB below:

One of the prayers we pray each Sunday holds this phrase: “But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy.” Not God’s real estate but a quality or trait belonging to God—to have mercy not just once in a while but always.

It is a distinct quality or characteristic of God that He is merciful and gracious and compassionate as much as He is love. He is a God of second chances, in fact many chances. As much as He is a judge, He is also our Father. Jesus Christ, His Son and our Lord and Saviour, is also our brother and co-heir to the inheritance that awaits us in eternity at the end of this age. Father God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit will all do their utmost best to help us through in our journey of faith so that we will fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith until the very end.

But note that while Jesus is still Saviour now, He will be Judge and King when He returns. As much as God is merciful and compassionate, it is while we still have breath and before Christ returns. We need to make the stand now and not tomorrow while we are still a part of the living as tomorrow may never come. What tomorrow brings will always be a mystery. Don’t procrastinate anymore. Decide now and make the decision now.

But if you have decided before and have now drifted away. Repent and confess your sins before our Heavenly Father. He is merciful and compassionate. That is His property. But remember, it is not for an unlimited time.

Have a good weekend ahead, everyone! Take a break from work, catch up on household chores tomorrow, but reserve Sunday as our Sabbath unto Him! Worship Him in church and soak in His Holy presence as He dwells in the praises of His people! May we all be strengthened and encouraged as we see Him face to face in the spirit in worship! Amen!