Message by Rev. Shunichi Miyamoto
August 28, 2022
Hello, I live in Commerce Township, MI, a town outside of Detroit, MI. About 10,000 Japanese live in this area. I am a missionary who is evangelizing the Japanese there.
- “Blessed is the man” Psalm 1:1
The Psalmist begins with “Blessed is the man” (Happy are those) in verse 1 of the first Psalm. The Hebrew word is “Ashley” meaning (happy).
There are many Japanese in this town, but in addition, about 157,000 Jews are living here. Therefore, my home address is ASHLEY CT in Hebrew. This ASHLEY (אשרי) is the word for “blessed” in Psalm 1:1 Hebrew.
In ancient times, the Hebrew world piled up natural stones when building altars to God. The stones were never cut and shaped one by one. The stem of the word ASHLEY means “not to chisel” in Shalem (adjective of shalom: peace, tranquility, as it is). Exodus 20:25 “And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.”
“It is peaceful and reposeful to be as you are without overdoing it.” The Jewish people’s fundamental idea of happiness is to make full use of the individuality and talents that God has given only to me.
For example, Japanese school education tends to reduce individuality and measure academic deviation rather than developing each student’s individuality. This does not necessarily lead to true happiness.
In the long history of the Jewish people, the nation was at ease only during the brief period when King David and King Solomon ruled.
In the absolute relationship of God and I, I stand before Him, without front or back, without regard for the evaluations of people, and it is only God, not human, who evaluates. Therefore, peace and tranquility come when we can “be as we are. The basic conditions for a happy life are expressed in verse 1.
- “Transplanted Trees” Verse 3.
Psalm 1:3, “A tree planted by a waterway.”
The Israel region is an arid area with little rainfall, so trees do not grow. The trees that do grow are trees that have been artificially transplanted by someone’s hand from wilderness bushes to a creek side.
We, too, used to live like bushes growing in the wilderness. It was hard to grow, and when we tried to bear fruit, the storms of life would come and wither us.
But through Jesus Christ, I am like a tree planted beside a waterway, with firm roots and the promise of a life that will grow and bear fruit, even if it takes time.
3. Men who were transplanted from Japan to the U.S. (The Last Samurai)
On the recommendation of Kaishu Katsu, two last samurais came to the United States in 1871 for the purpose of studying abroad.
Their name are Motoichiro Ogimi and Kumaji Kimura. They went from Yokohama to San Francisco and then to New York (NY). However, no one would take them in, and they had run out of money and were in dire straits. Then, unexpectedly they met a devout Christian named Phillips on a street corner in NY. He was the first president of Hope College in Michigan. He provided all tuition, dormitory fees, and meals for the last samurais. Eventually, they became Christians, and not only that, they studied at a seminary and became pastors. After returning to Japan, he helped found Meiji Gakuin, Tokyo Women’s University, and Ferris University, baptized Toson Shimazaki at Komoro Juku in Nagano Prefecture, and shared the gospel with Katsu Kaishu, who encouraged him to study in the U.S. Katsu also became a believer in Christ in his later years.
Because of this history, West Michigan is still an area with many exchange programs with Japanese universities and many students from Japan.
４．Japanese who are transplanted to the U.S. (resident employees)
(1) The Japanese are a mysterious people.
When I came to Michigan 12 years ago, what struck me was the disposition of the Japanese people.
When they live in Japan, they show no interest in church or the Bible. But the fact is that as soon as resident employees come to Michigan, they love fellowship with Christians, listen to the words of the Bible, welcome the Savior Jesus Christ into their hearts, and some of them even become baptized.
(2) Some Japanese who listen carefully to the Living Bible (Bible words) are moved to tears when they open the Bible for the first time in their lives and hear the Word of God. Those Japanese people, whose hearts have opened up, freshly receive the Living Bible.
(3) To the Living Water of Jesus Christ (the work of the Holy Spirit)
People who are tired of life. Burdened by work. If you are tired, if you are burdened, come to me (Jesus Christ) today. Jesus will make you truly at peace! If someone had a dry heart, they are blessed. Today, take the living water that Jesus Christ gives that never dries up.
(4) Baptism
It is easy to confess one’s faith and become a Christian, but baptism, publicly announcing that one has become a Christian, still seems to be a high threshold for Japanese people. The number of baptisms per year in Japan is about 7,000 out of approximately 120,000,000 Japanese living in Japan while the number of baptisms per year overseas is estimated to be at least 2,000 out of approximately 1,350,000 Japanese. So, when we look at the ratio, it is still much more common to get baptized overseas than in Japan.
5. Hum the teachings of the Lord.
(1) You are to hum the “Word of God” day and night.
The Japanese word Shihen is “Psalm” in English and “Tehillim” in Hebrew, which means “Praise the Lord.”
The highest thing a human can do is to “praise the Lord”, which is the highest level of faith.
Psalm quotes appear in the NT about 400 times (direct and indirect combined).
How much the early church loved it. They sang the psalms as well as read them in worship.
Gregorian chant remains even in modern times when the psalms are sung as they are.
Wherever we go, whether the times are good or bad, we hum the word of God for happiness that is not affected by our environment.
(2) The Word of God can do amazing things in our lives. From Psalm 119 (Psalms 119)
① “Word” is the Hebrew meaning of Evvt Darbar (incident).
When the words of the Bible enter my heart, I experience incidents that turn my life upside down.
Hebrews 11:3 The universe was created by God’s word
Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light.” Then there was light.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God. The Word was God.
1:3 All things were created by him.
These are incidents and durbars. Even in our daily lives, wonderful durbars (incidents) can occur for those who have accumulated the Word of God in their hearts.
② Eyes open to a world of wonder
Psalms 119:18 Open my eyes, so that I may see /the wonderful truths in your law.
Open in Hebrew means re veal gharar (uncovering, revelation).
When the eyes are opened, a world of wonderfully amazing opens up.
By what do we know the way we should walk, by the Word of God?
Hebrews 11:1 It is the conviction of things unseen.
Matthew 24:1-35 To the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, Jesus appeared and said, “Men of slow minds.”
‘He revealed Jesus Himself to them from the whole Bible.’ Then, as we shared the table, “their eyes were opened.”
③ “Words” are eternal.
Psalms 119:89 Forever, O Lord,Your word is settled in heaven.
Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
- A Life Full of Life
Psalms 119:50 Even in my suffering I was comforted /because your promise gave me life.
There are various ways to translate this passage, but the following three are all excellent.
Watashi no tamashii o ikasu。 To give life
Inochi o kaifuku saseru To resutore life
Inochi ni michiafureta jinsei To be full life
- Daily progress and future light
Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to guide me /and a light for my path. It is the light of my daily walk. It is a light that tells me where I am going when I am standing there not knowing where I am going.
- Enlightenment and discernment to you.
The Hebrew meaning of “enlightenment” is (being) (discernment, judgment).
Psalms 119:130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
.
６. Rough rice and Chaff verses ４
What do Psalm 1:4-6 tell us? They are “rough rice” and “chaff. I was born in the lakeside area of Ibaraki Prefecture, where rice cultivation thrives. Harvesting in the fall is hard work. The rice is harvested and only the ears are taken, but then the “rough rice” and “chaff” are mixed and must be separated. I have seen this process in action. A plastic sheet is spread in the farmer’s yard, and the mixed “rough rice” and “chaff” are scattered there. Then, a big fan is brought and switched on, and in no time at all, only the chaff are blown away by the wind, leaving only the rough rice.
They are “rough rice” and “chaff.” Although it is difficult to distinguish between the two from the outside, “rough rice” has rice, and “chaff” is empty inside.
Divine judgment
What is it that Psalm 1:4-6 is telling us?
It is the final judgment of God. It is whether we have “rough rice” or “eternal life” within us, or whether we have “chaff” or “no eternal life”.
God loves each and every one of you. He sent Jesus Christ, our Savior, for me when I should have perished because of my sins.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”
Let us pray.