Throughout our journey in the book of Hosea, we have seen God issuing a sobering charge against Israel. From the priests to the people, there was a systemic rejection of the knowledge of God. The people of Israel pursued idolatry, foolishly choosing spiritual adultery over covenantal intimacy. Yet, because God is righteous and just, this covenantal unfaithfulness could not be ignored; judgment and discipline were the necessary consequences but also an expression of an immense

The prophet Hosea was called to minister to an unfaithful Israel, whose culture had been so corrupted by pagan worldviews and practices that nothing short of exile sufficed as a consequence. Yet, even in judgment, love persisted.   Hosea knew this all too well, for he was called to “love an unfaithful wife” (3:1) as a reflection of God’s own love for his unfaithful children. It is this judgment with love; this discipline with grace, that sets God apart from the pagan deities

In our fast-paced, information-saturated world, it seems we only have time to spare for the latest headlines and soundbites, not for old stories. We’re refreshing our pages every moment for the next new update, so even the latest trend is soon replaced and forgotten, consigned to the scrapheap of history.   Yet some stories need to be remembered, commemorated and celebrated. Easter is one of them. May this article 1  encourage us to never be numb towards the timeless and terr

Not a day goes by without the war in the Middle East making the headlines. If you follow it too closely like I have, it is possible for the news of the horrors of war and destruction to consume you, and you start to feel negatively affected by it. However as Christians, we know that all these happen within God’s sovereignty so we always need to re-align ourselves with God’s Word to make sense of it all. Observing Palm Sunday during this time of conflict can help us put some o

“You reap what you sow”, is an idiom present in various cultures. It cautions us that our present actions have future consequences, often corresponding to its nature. “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes” is how the current generation would put it. The fact is, we can’t avoid the law of cause and effect. So, it is important to be prudent in our actions.   In Hosea 8, Israel chose to invest in a relationship with a violent, imperialistic nation – Assyria – for national securi

As the world trembles from the reverberations caused by the war in Iran, we are left wondering ‘when will these wars end’, ‘where can peace be found’, and perhaps even ‘whether God is still in sovereign control’.   Such questions are needed and natural in times like these. And this article 1  helpfully reminds us that even as missiles fly, there is hopeful clarity offered to us in the Word. May it encourage our hearts as we yearn and pray for the blessed reign of Christ. Ps L

Hosea 4 does not begin with comfort. He begins with a case. “Hear the word of the Lord,” he says, because the Lord has a “controversy” with the people in the land. This brings to mind the picture of a courtroom, where a lawsuit is being heard. This is the lawsuit of convenant infidelity between God and his people. The opening statement given by the “plaintiff” in this case the Lord himself: “There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land.”   A

In a few days (on 2 March 2026), Swee Sin and I will be celebrating our 58 th wedding anniversary. 58 years sounds like a very long time for a marriage to last; perhaps we hold the record at Hermon. A long marriage provides many lessons – opportunities to make mistakes, to heal and succeed, and to improve ourselves. However, no matter the length of the marriage, all end one way or another. Even Christian marriages end. “‘Till death do us part” is no respecter of creed, colou

We’re into the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, and even though it’s a public holiday, for most families, the numerous gatherings and visitations may make one feel like a personal holiday is needed after the flurry of activities in the past week.   Rest is hard to find in this world, but God knows we need it. Given the pace of Singapore, it is perhaps more important for us here, than most others, to recover the Sabbath rest. May this article help us to re-orient ourselves tow

As we journey through the book of Hosea, we see Israel chasing after Baal and other idols, believing these false gods could secure their prosperity, fertility, and national survival. Their spiritual adultery was not merely ritualistic; it was a deep misplacement of trust and affection. Because of this idolatrous worship, God allowed the northern kingdom to fall to Assyria — a sobering reminder that spiritual unfaithfulness carries serious consequences.   Today, we are living

We mentioned last week that Hosea is just one book in an compendium of Minor Prophets known as “The Twelve”, and in addition to reading Hosea, it will benefit us to know about “The Twelve” as a whole. Last week’s editorial gave us the “Historical Context”, the “Arrangement” and the “Theological Unity” of the Minor Prophets. This week, we’ll look at some “Key Theological Concepts” and the “Contemporary Relevance” of the Minor Prophets. 1   May it serve to better aid us in our

This month we embark on our journey through the book of Hosea. Minor prophets are brief, but their words are highly contextualised, for they speak in a tumultuous and disorienting period in Israel’s history.   To equip us to read Hosea with confidence and understanding, we’ll be going through an overview of the book today. But Hosea cannot be fully understood on its own, for it’s part of a larger anthology, known as “The Twelve.”   So, our next two editorials 1 will serve to

There is a quiet kind of faithfulness that the world often overlooks. It isn’t loud. It isn’t trendy. It rarely earns a public “well done.” It is simply the steady decision to do what is right before God because He is worthy—even when doing the right thing is costly, inconvenient, misunderstood, or unpopular.   Many of us don’t struggle to obey when obedience comes with affirmation. The real test of obedience is when it comes with silence, pushback or misinterpretation—when t

2025’s Verse of the Year, Isaiah 41:10 is a familiar one, and understandably so. But it reveals the cry of our hearts for strength and encouragement amid the messiness of life in this fallen world.   Yet the cry of God’s heart is indubitably love . May this article 1  spur our hearts to embrace a different verse, and in so doing, follow in our Lord’s footsteps and truly realise the strength and encouragement we have been seeking in life. Pastor Luwin Wong Every December, YouV

Most of us, I’m certain, when looking back on our prayer lives in 2025, would acknowledge that we could do with healthier prayer habits. I know I do.   And if it describes you too, may this week’s editorial 1 help you to develop better prayer habits this new year and grow your joy and rest in Christ more each passing day! Pastor Luwin Wong One of my closest friends moved across the country. I’ve learned that in long-distance friendships, every bit of communication matters. O

What kind of legacy are we intending to build as a church? When our younger generation looks back, what will they remember — infrastructure and programmes, or a people who passionately loved Christ and remained faithful to His Word?   That is the challenge before us. And God’s Word gives us both a warning and an encouragement as we consider the theme: Building Our Legacy.   Two books that we will be preaching through in 2026 — Hosea and James — speak to this. They may sound l

We’ve heard the phrase, “the only constant is change”. This is particularly apt as we consider the new year ahead. But, here is hope: even in the midst of an ever-changing world, we have an anchor: our never-changing God.   Our final editorial of the year brings us to Psalm 90, and points out for us five constants for the new year. By God’s grace, may it lead us to meet 2026 with wisdom, confidence and hope. Pastor Luwin Wong Since 2020, I’ve felt the gnawing dread that all t

I recently chanced upon Sovereign Grace Music’s advent song, “Prepare Him Room”. One of the verses goes like this: “O our hearts, as busy as Bethlehem / Hear Him knock, don't say there's no room in the inn.”   It reminded me of the pernicious danger of “busyness”, which is sometimes lauded as a virtue in our Singapore society. This is all the more pertinent given the flurry of activities that accompanies the year-end holidays, which can often feel more stressful than blissful

Christmas has always been a special time of the year for me and the family. It’s generally filled with lots of fellowship around sumptuous food. And as I experience the warmth that fills both my stomach and heart, I’m constantly reminded of God’s greatest gift of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And through such reminders, it often triggers in me the renewed desire to persevere as ambassadors for Christ. And so, each year, I embrace with joy the celebrations that surround the

The holidays are upon us, and along with it, a slew of social gatherings, company D&Ds and merry-making is in order. But what might a Christian perspective on parties look like? This article (1) helps us to recognise and redeem the goodness of parties, especially in a festive season filled with longing hearts and lonely people. May your holiday gatherings advance the gospel to the glory of God! Pastor Luwin Wong With the holidays quickly approaching, perhaps you’re debating