In year 1973 I attended JSM Workers’ Conference on Penang Hill, 50 years ago.
It was a very blessed and memorable Camp up the Mountain
And this song came to me in great blessing
Is Not This the Land of Beulah?
“Now I saw in my dream, that by this time the Pilgrims were got over the Enchanted Ground, and entering into the country of Beulah, whose air was very sweet and pleasant, the way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves there for a season. Yea, here they heard continually the singing of birds, and saw every day the flowers appear on the earth, and heard the voice of the turtle (dove) in the land. In this country the sun shines night and day; wherefore this was beyond the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and also out of the reach of Giant Despair, neither could they from this place so much as see Doubting Castle. Here they were within sight of the city they were going to, also here met them some of the inhabitants thereof; for in this land the Shining Ones commonly walked, because it was upon the borders of heaven. In this land also, the contract between the bride and the bridegroom was renewed; yea, here, “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so did their God rejoice over them.” Here they had no want of corn and wine; for in this place they met with abundance of what they had sought for in all their pilgrimage. Here they heard voices from out of the city, loud voices, saying, “‘Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh! Behold, his reward is with him!’ Here all the inhabitants of the country called them, ‘The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord, Sought out'”, etc.
Now as they walked in this land, they had more rejoicing than in parts more remote from the kingdom to which they were bound; and drawing near to the city, they had yet a more perfect view thereof. It was built of pearls and precious stones, also the street thereof was paved with gold; so that by reason of the natural glory of the city, and the reflection of the sunbeams upon it, Christian with desire fell sick; Hopeful also had a fit or two of the same disease. Wherefore, here they lay by it a while, crying out, because of their pangs, If you find my beloved, tell him that I am sick of love.”
And here is the exposition
1. I am dwelling on the mountain,Where the golden sunlight gleamsO’er a land whose wondrous beautyFar exceeds my fondest dreamsWhere the air is pure, ethereal,Laden with the breath of flow’rs,They are blooming by the fountain,‘Neath the amaranthine bow’rs.
Sitting on the Hill Top of Penang in the morning we sang
I am dwelling on the mountain.
Mountain speaks of nearness to heaven with its sun shine & pure air.
When angels told Lot to leave Sodom “he was to escape to the mountain” (Gen. 19:17)
The Christian Life should progress towards the mountain of fellowship with Christ on high.
Jesus often go up to the mountain to pray. The Sermon on the Mount was given on the mountain
And the Transfiguration happened on a very high mountain
Ruth Paxson mentioned “LIFE ON THE HIGHEST PLANE” in her book which depicts Christian living in Victory
And this is the state of living in Beulah land
As the Author exclaimed
“IS NOT THIS THE LAND OF BEULAH?
OR IS NOT THIS THE BLESSED STATE OF BLISS IN VICTORIOUS FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
Is not this the land of Beulah?Blessed, blessed land of light,Where the flowers bloom forever,And the sun is always bright!
In this state there is mountain top fellowship with Christ. Where there are singing of birds and sunshine and flowers
Stanza Two
A depiction of those weary years of wandering far down the mountain away in the world beset by the ghosts of doubts, fears, broken vows & disappointments.
These are sprinkled thickly all along the way and often hindered us in our pilgrim journey.
We would have been turned away out of the Christian Faith if not for the unerring leading of the Holy Spirit who made all the difference
Notice the word “BUT”
“But” the Spirit led unerring!
Yes! BUT GOD in Eph. 2
See again
Eph. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
STANZA THREE
3. I am drinking at the Fountain of Life. Where there is true and complete satisfaction.
As Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee”
Having found Christ we are fully satisfied as we abide in pure fellowship with Him
And no more thirsting for other earthly pleasure which is fleeting. When the inward soul is satiated with the Fullness of God the outward desire of adornment now has lost its hold on the Christian now and for ever.
Stanza 4
Neither tell me of heavy crosses nor of burdens hard to bear.
Why?
Answer: “FOR I’VE FOUND THIS GREAT SALVATION!
Every burden is too light in the light of HIS GREAT SALVATION!
Make each burden light appear.
Because “WE LOVE TO FOLLOW JESUS”
Gladly counting all as dross.
Every worldly honor forsaking for a higher honor and glory of the cross!
Stanza 5
O THE CROSS!
THE CROSS HAS WONDROUS GLORY!
Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, land take up his cross daily, and follow me”
To every one who wants to follow Jesus let him DENY HIMSELF, TAKE UP HIS CROSS
AND TAKE IT UP DAILY (DAY BY DAY), AND FOLLOW JESUS
Though the path may be narrow. God will make a pathway through
Because Jesus HAS TAKEN UP HIS CROSS and bade us sweetly to follow IN HIS STEPS.
AND THE CROSS LEADS TO GLORY! WONDROUS, GLORIOUS FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
IS NOT THIS THE LAND OF BEULAH?
BLESSED! BLESSED FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST IN HEAVENLY PLACES
Below are two memorable photos Circa 1970s & 1980s
Above: JSM WORKERS’ CONFERENCE CAMP UP PENANG HILL (PIN KWANG BUNGALOW)
Below:
AFTER A MOST BLESSED TIME OF PRAYER ON THE PENANG HILL
Standing from right most
Sister Susan (Phebe) Tan
Sister Eunice Khoo
Brother Yee Bee Chong
According to Dr Peter Ng (this was one of the MOST BLESSED TIME OF PRAYER INDEED!
Amen! and Amen! And Glory be unto GOD.