“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
"In the blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I warmly welcome each and every one of you to this momentous occasion, the 12th General Assembly of the Church of the American Ceylon Mission! It fills my heart with immense gratitude to stand before this esteemed gathering. I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to address you all, and I offer my sincerest thanks to God Almighty for this incredible privilege.
For the Israelites, a monumental chapter had drawn to a close. With resolute steps, they trudged through the valleys of Moab, their eyes fixed on the peak of Mount Nebo. But the journey wasn't over. Descending from Mount Nebo, they returned to the plains of Moab, their hearts brimming with a newfound purpose. This wasn't just the end of an arduous trek; it was the dawn of a new era.
A mantle of leadership descended upon Joshua, son of Nun. The voice of God called him forth with a momentous task: “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess."However, a wave of apprehension washed over the Israelites. Even Joshua, burdened by the weight of this responsibility, felt a flicker of doubt. Sensing his trepidation, God offered a powerful reassurance. He declared, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”
“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success”. There are two things that has to be observed here. First, God always provide blessings and guidance to everyone. Second, there are conditions for it. Generally people always consider the first point but never think of the second one. Blessings will be provided. But there are conditions for it. The verses in the bible directly or indirectly reveals this truth. Therefore, all the verses in the bible contains conditions. (நிபந்தனையுடன் கூடிய வசனங்கள்)
I would also like to show an example from the New Testament as well. In the first half of the sentence on the St. Johns chapter fifteen verse four “Dwell in me, as I dwell in you. ( என்னில் நிலைத்திருங்கள்: அப்பொழுது நானும் உங்களில் நிலைத்திருப்பேன் ) However, in the Bower translation of the Tamil Bible, the word "then" (often signifying a conditional clause) is absent. This omission has led some to question the verse's completeness in Tamil. In that chapter in verse seven it says “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you, if not it won’t happen”. God further says to Joshua “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth”. The fourth stanza of the 357th song in our hymn book is written as: “முறையாகத் திருமறையைப் பயின்றிடுவோம், அதன் முழப்பொருளை அறிந்திடவே முயன்றிடுவோம்: நிறைவான வாழ்வதனை அடைந்திடவே – மறை நிழல் படியும் பாதையிலே நடந்திடுவோம்”
Living in today's world can feel like navigating a maze of misinformation. Distinguishing truth from falsehood can be a constant struggle, making it difficult to find reliable information. Religious institutions, like churches, are not immune to this challenge. They too must adapt to overcome various obstacles that differ depending on the region. In Sri Lanka, particularly in Tamil-speaking areas, the aftermath of the civil war continues to cast a long shadow. The hope for a peaceful future remains elusive, replaced by a multitude of challenges. Several factors are contributing to a rising culture of violence: cultural erosion, excessive drug usage, issues caused by the usage of mobile phones, Young families being disrupted, people’s interest toward migrating to foreign countries and abusive languages.
In this situation church has to realize itself, it is called to a work as a society who cures the society which is in disease. There`s a big responsibility to the Tamil churches in Sri Lanka, In Sri Lanka Buddhists are Sinhalese and all the Tamils are Hindus, but there are Christians amidst Sinhalese and Tamils as well. These Christians have relationship with both the sides and they can do great things for the unity. These chances are only given to Christians and we should near forsake this whether it is a small society or a bigger one. We are called to hear the sound of prophet Micah who says “God has told you, O mortal, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you. But to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Life is a miracle and we all live once. To live that life peacefully and in a useful manner lets surrender our lives to God and seek the blessings and courage from him.”
Churches in Sri Lanka, particularly those with Tamil congregations, have a powerful calling. They are uniquely positioned to act as a social doctor, diagnosing the ailments of society and offering solutions. Traditionally viewed as separate entities, Sinhalese Buddhism and Tamil Hinduism often lack a bridge for fostering broader societal understanding. This is where Sri Lanka's Christians, with their presence in both communities, have a unique opportunity. They are called to a higher purpose to act as a social healer, working not just within their own congregations but for the betterment of society at large. We are called to hear the voice of prophet Micah who says “God has told you, O mortal, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you. But to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Life is a miracle and we all live once. To live that life peacefully and in a useful manner lets surrender our lives to God and seek the blessings and courage from him.”
“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”