Voice: Mylene
Welcome to the eleventh day of Lent. Today is Monday, 2nd of March. Together with the Church, we remember the ministry of Revd William Gomes, a missionary who served across Sarawak, Malacca, and Penang before leading the St Andrew’s Church Mission in Singapore from 1872.
We begin by praying the Morning Collect:
Almighty and everlasting Father,
we thank you that you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day.
Keep us from falling into sin or running into danger;
order us in all our doings;
and guide us to do always what is right in your eyes:
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Psalm Reading
The Psalm appointed for today is Psalm 32. Reading from verses 8-10.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.
Scripture Reading
We continue with our Lenten reading and meditation on the temptations of Jesus. Today we look at the third temptation in Luke 4:9-12:
9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
to guard you,’11 and
“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The Third Temptation: The Need for Security
If the first temptation addresses our need for satisfaction, and the second speaks to our need for significance, the third appeals to our need for security.
Jesus was taken to the pinnacle of the temple.
The devil said, in effect:
“Psalm 91 promises that you will be protected. So throw yourself down. Go for a free fall. Let God save you. He will prove that He does what He says.”
It is striking that the devil quoted Scripture. But he was not honouring it — he was manipulating it.
Jesus replied, also from Scripture:
“It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
If we reflect on Psalm 91 in light of Jesus’ earthly life, a superficial reading might suggest that it did not come true for Him. He was struck — not merely on His foot — but on His whole body. He suffered humiliation, scourging, and crucifixion.
Was Psalm 91 untrue? Or was it misunderstood?
The devil used the psalm to promise invulnerability.
Jesus understood it within the larger will of the Father.
We all long for security. No threats feel more immediate than those that cause bodily harm — accidents, illnesses, disease. We are fragile creatures. Think of how carefully you hold a newborn child. That instinct for protection is deeply human.
Our God-given desire for safety keeps us alive. It shapes how we protect those we love.
But even this good desire can become a window for temptation.
When we interpret promises like Psalm 91 to mean immunity from suffering, we begin to assume that harm should never come near us or our loved ones. And when suffering does come, we may conclude that God has failed us.
If we expect constant visible protection, we will think He has failed again and again.
That is putting God to the test. We put Him in the dock and judge Him lacking.
Jesus did not reject Psalm 91. He refused to isolate it.
He balanced Scripture with Scripture.
Likewise, we need the whole counsel of God’s Word.
Security does not mean the absence of suffering.
It means trusting the Father in the midst of it.
At the temple, Jesus refused to jump.
At the cross, He refused to come down.
He is truly the Son of God.
🌿 Thought for Lent
Is there an issue that has been troubling you?
Has it weakened your trust in your heavenly Father?
Perhaps it is an unexpected bereavement.
Perhaps a painful turn of events.
In this season, will you wrestle honestly with the Lord over it? Listen for His voice. And may you find your faith renewed.
In Remembrance
We are grateful for the ministry of Revd William Gomes, who came from Ceylon to serve in Malaya in the late nineteenth century. He learned several local languages and brought the Gospel to the Dayaks and Malays. He also helped establish and nurture many non-English-speaking congregations within our Anglican Church during that period. A commemorative plaque honouring his ministry is located near the entrance to the nave of the St Andrew’s Cathedral.
Collect
We pray the Collect for the second Sunday in Lent:
Almighty God,
you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,
that they may return to the way of righteousness:
grant to us who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion,
that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession,
and follow all such things that are agreeable to the same;
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Be blessed by this song, Be Still
Be still and know
That the Lord is in control
Be still, my soul
Stand and watch as giants fall
I won’t be afraid for You are here
You silence all my fear
I won’t be afraid, You don’t let go
Be still, my heart, and know
I won’t be afraid
Be still and trust
What the Lord has said is done
Find rest, don’t strive
Watch as faith and grace align
I won’t be afraid for You are here
You silence all my fear
I won’t be afraid, You don’t let go
Be still my heart and know
I won’t be afraid
I won’t be afraid
Surely love and mercy
Your peace and kindness
Will follow me
Will follow me
Surely love and mercy
Your peace and kindness
Will follow me
Will follow me
Surely love and mercy
Your peace and kindness
Will follow me
Will follow me
Surely love and mercy
Your peace and kindness
Will follow me
Will follow me
Your love surrounds me
Your love surrounds me, here
Your love surrounds me
Your love surrounds me, here
Your love surrounds me
Your love surrounds me, here
Be Still
Words and Music by Ben Fielding & Reuben Morgan
© 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing
CCLI: 7102393
About This Daily Devotion
This weekday devotion is drawn from the Morning Office and is part of a project initiated by Revd Canon Terry Wong, with contributions from clergy and members across various parishes. Each entry includes selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture passage, accompanied by a reflection and prayer. An audio option is also available, often ending with a hymn or song. We encourage you to both read and listen.
Our aim is to help Anglicans engage more deeply with our rich liturgical tradition, while meeting the devotional needs of today’s believers. This project began on Ash Wednesday 2025 and is offered on weekdays only.
For feedback, please write to us at info@mpcc.org.sg
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