Every Wednesday morning from 8:00 to 10:30, Jiayin Church, located on Pujin Street in the Minhang District of Shanghai, hosts a prayer meeting.
On the morning of August 27, I set out early and took the subway to the church. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the serene sight of the church nestled among lush greenery. From across the street, the name "Jiayin Church" stood out against the backdrop of a clear blue sky and vibrant foliage.
The prayer meeting was mostly attended by elderly members of the congregation, including the piano accompanist, whose hair had turned white with age. For the first half hour, the group all joined together in worship, singing hymns accompanied by the piano. Following this, the prayer meeting commenced. A sister opened with a prayer and then led the group in singing. After the hymn, everyone bowed their heads in silent prayer. This cycle of hymn singing and prayer continued, with four hymns sung in total.
Next, Ms. Wang, a fellow worker at the church, delivered a sermon on Psalm 112. She began with an introduction to the Book of Psalms, emphasizing its role as a collection for worship and prayer. Then she posed a thought-provoking question: What does it really mean to be blessed? In a world where many seek financial freedom, health, peace, and family happiness, Psalm 112 offers a contrasting perspective: true blessing comes from the fear of God. Ms. Wang highlighted the connection between Psalm 112 and Psalm 111—while Psalm 111 emphasizes God's attributes and wondrous deeds, Psalm 112 vividly illustrates the lives of those who fear Him.
What exactly is "fear"? It is not about horror or keeping one's distance; instead, Ms. Wang highlighted that the fear of God is a blend of respect, reverence, and obedience. A person who truly fears God delights in His word from the depths of their heart, rather than merely adhering to external laws like the Pharisees did.
When we build our lives on the fear of God, we often find ourselves blessed by Him. Psalm 112 specifically highlights blessings such as prosperous offspring and wealth. However, Ms. Wang cautioned that wealth should not be our ultimate goal. Instead, it serves as a means of God's blessing, enabling those who fear Him to become charitable and a blessing to others. She quoted 1 Timothy 6:17-19, reminding us not to place our hope in uncertain riches but in God, and to strive to "be rich in good deeds and to be generous."
Ms. Wang also pointed out that the promise that "a good person will never fail" does not imply a life free of challenges. Rather, it means that even when "the sky is darkened with storm clouds gathering, the light of God will illuminate our path, enabling our hearts to remain steadfast amid adversity through trust in Him." Ultimately, the outcome of our lives is not determined by our circumstances but by who we choose to trust. While the way of the wicked will lead to destruction, the path of the righteous will be preserved, leading to eternal life as the ultimate destination.
Originally published by the Gospel Times
- Edited by Karen Luo and translated by Joyce Leung
