The last 2 weeks were extremely eventful with 4 candidates campaigning to be the next Elected President of Singapore. There were many views expressed, auguments, criticisms and punches thrown as these candidates reached out to win the voters’ hearts. Netizens were abuzz with camps of supporters going all out to outwit each other. A closely fought election indeed. By 10:00 pm om Saturday, it was clear that the fight was down to Dr Tony Tan versus Dr Tan Cheng Bock. The latter looked set to give the former a big fright of his life taking a lead of 2 – 3%. By midnight, a recount was announced. By then it was rumoured that Dr Tony Tan did a “Man U” and was leading by about 8,000 votes. I knew that Dr Tony Tan will barely scraped through to be the next President of Singapore. Without waiting further, I went to bed at about 2:00 am knowing that I needed to wake up by 7:00 am for my church service at 9:00 am.

As usually, my alarm clock rang at 6:20 am. I reached out for my iPad first. It was confirmed that Dr Tony Tan came from behind and win the election. I woke my wife up and said “It will be President Tony”. She replied “aiyah!”

Sunday morning’s sermon entitled “An Honourable Citizen” was given by Pastor Eric Kwan. It was a most appropriate message from the Word of God to be listening to immediately after an emotional and energy-drained election.

[1] Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

你要提醒众人，叫他们顺服作官的，掌权的，遵他的命，预备行各样的善事。

[2] To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.

不要毁谤，不要争竟，总要和平，向众人大显温柔。

[3] For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

我们从前也是无知，悖逆，受迷惑，服事各样私欲和宴乐，常存恶毒，嫉妒的心，是可恨的，又是彼此相恨。

Titus 3:1-3

We are reminded (Verse [1]) that as Christians, our first allegiance is to Jesus as Lord, but we also must obey our government and its leaders. Christians are not above the law, but keeping the civil law is only the beginning of our Christian responsibility. We are to be obedient and to be ready for every good work.

In Verse [2], we are told not slander anyone, but be peacable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all peolple. We are also not to live a life in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another ( Verse [3] ).

Whatever bitterness we have accumulated during the General Election and carried over into the Presidential Election and whatever differences in opinion we may have, let us not have deep rift, let us not be divided, let us not be hateful of one another and let us not set us apart from each other. Let us be united as One People, One Nation. Afterall, only us can continue to grow the seed of unity and make this Little Red Dot a united and multiracial home.

Now that the elections were over, let me give praise to God…

Thank you Lord for your wisdom in helping all of us choose the right person for the next president of Singapore. Thank you for the peace, stability, prosperity and religious freedom that we enjoy in this country. Now that the elections are over, I pray that you can uphold the next president and allow him to do his best to live up to the “great expectations” Singaporeans have of him in office. Enable him to be the unifying figure and a president of all Singaporeans. I also pray that our prime minister and his government will serve the people with impartiality, integrity, compassion and love. Lastly I pray that God blesses all Singaporeans with good health and joy. I pray all these in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.