The Tempest
I would’ve been on the ball about what’s been happening in Perak but the news of the sudden death of a young man in his sleep yesterday morning sapped a lot of whatever energy I had left to make any coherent comments in writing.
Markus Ng, a 23 year old man, who for all intents and purposes was at the prime of his life, went home to be with the Lord yesterday morning. He is remembered fondly by many in his local church, in school and college, in civil society and many other contexts where he had left an indelible mark.
My greatest regret was not to have gotten to know him better. In fact, when I first informed that Markus passed away, I had a hard time figuring out who it was. It was only when I saw his photo when the first waves of recognition hit me.
So many people I know have passed on at their prime over the last 2 years. People like Shukree and Toni Kassim come to mind. And all of them were major contributors to efforts to bring about a brighter future for our nation.
Markus’ family had this to say in his memorial site about his last day and the circumstances of his demise:
Markus started working with UNICEF in November 2008. He had been working almost non-stop in the past week, sleeping only 3-4 hours a day. He came back from the office at 3am the night before his death and was found dead on his bed the next morning. His computer was still switched on. Obviously he had continued working even after coming home.
After much discussion with doctors, our theory is that his acute stress could have caused some biochemical (electrolyte) imbalance which triggered a cardiac arrythmia (sudden disarray of heart rhythm) and cardiac arrest. The whole thing is at the biochemical level and therefore, there are no organ changes to be detected at post-mortem.
Throw this bereavement with the possible (and some say impending) demise of the people’s government in my home state in Perak, and you can imagine why I really didn’t have much to say yesterday.
My meditations today did help somewhat. Perhaps I should share them to all who are feeling anxious at this trying times:
Scripture Lessons:
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
- Hebrews 4:14-16, TNIV
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
- Matthew 8:23-27, TNIV
Additional Thoughts by Martin Luther
In the Gospel of the stilling of the tempest, we are reminded where to seek consolation and help in the hour of need. This is not available to us in the world; human skill and might offer no protection.
Christ alone is the helper in the hour of need. We must turn to Him in all of our needs with trust and confidence, as the disciples do here. Had they not believed that He would help them, they would not have awakened Him and cried to Him for help. True, their faith was still weak and mixed with much unbelief. They experienced a certain amount of hesitation in committing their safety and lives into His keeping. They were not so sure that He could rescue them in the midst of the sea and snatch them from the jaws of death. The disciples could not command or demand help because of their faith.
From all this, we can conclude that God’s Word has no master or judge; it requires no protector apart from God Himself. It is His Word. Therefore, just as He has sent His Word forth without human merit or counsel, so He also wants to operate with it and protect it without human help and strength. The man who puts his faith in human help loses out in two direction: he finds no help from God or men.
- Sermons of Luther, XI.503, 14
as translated by P.D. Pahl, Emeritus Lecturer in Church History, Luther Seminary, North Adelaide, Australia
Prayer
Be near us and help, Lord Jesus, in every hour of need, especially when our faith weakens, for the sake of your mercy, truth and grace. Amen.
These words barely comfort me but at least they give me some hope despite the current situation that plagues both those of us who mourn Markus and those of us who are apprehensive about what’s happening in Perak. Of course, if one is caught in the vices of both these concerns, then perhaps, trust in God coupled with careful action tempered with wisdom and humility, as well as the courage to lament to God, is the only lifeline at the moment.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world;
Have mercy on us!
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world;
Grant us peace!
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world;
To you I appeal and place my trust
For I can do no other!
Kyrie Eleison! Kyrie Eleison! Kyrie Eleison!
To those of you who would like to at least do something about some of these bereavements today or stand in solidarity with those who are facing these challenges, here are some possibilities:
Wakes and Funeral Schedule for Markus Ng
Wake Services:
5th February 2009 / 6th February 2009 at 8.00 pm
Gui Yuan Modern Casket,
Jalan 229, Section 51A, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Funeral Service:
7th February 2009 at 9.30am.
Gui Yuan Modern Casket,
Jalan 229, Section 51A, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Cortege will then proceed to the
Subang Lutheran Garden Cemetery
Peoples Gathering To Support The Incumbent Perak Government
5th February 2009 at 7.00 pm
Stadium Ipoh
Jalan Ghazali Nordin, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
God have mercy on us.
