Daily Encouragement

JUNE 22, 2008 - God's Revelation

Meditation on Psalm 19

This great psalm shows us three aspects of the revelation of God. God is interested to reveal Himself to us. He reveals His Word to us through three channels:

1. He communicates to us His glory and work through His creation. (v. 1-6)

2. He has also communicated to us through a special revelation- His Son which is indicated by the Sun who comes out like a Bridegroom. (v.5 cf. Malachi 4:2, Luke 1:78, and Matthew 9:15)

3. God has revealed Himself to us through His written word, the Scriptures. (v. 7-9)

The final part of this psalm tells us the absolute value and effect of God's revelation in our lives. (v. 10-15)

The first time I felt deeply that there was God was the time when I was a young boy vacationing on the hill top of a very small island with my parents. At night as I looked up the sky to see the vast numbers of star and the Milky Way, hearing the sound of the tide beating on the sand, I could not help but think of the greatness of the universe and the smallness of man. I was convinced that there must be a creator God. Furthermore, today many scientists prove to us that there must be a designer for our expanding universe. The psalmist is right, "The heavens declare the glory of God." (v. 1 NIV)

The psalmist also proclaims that the Word of God has tremendous effects upon those who read it. One of the effects is that the reader would be convicted of his own sin. May we be like David who would confess his own sins and prayed for God's cleansing and acceptance.

JUNE 23, 2008 - Pray In His Name

Meditation on Psalm 20

This psalm is a prayer for victory over enemies. As David needed God's answer in the day of trouble, we too need the Lord's protection when we face satanic opposition when we serve the Church.

The Head of our church, the Lord Jesus Christ will support us as we call upon His name. This short Psalm mentions the name of God three times. Verse 7 points out that "Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God." (NASB)

That means our victory over enemies is relying in the name of God and not on man's own power and tools.

Jesus the Son of God wants his disciples to ask God anything in His name; God will give it to them. (John 16:23-24)

Calling Jesus' name is the requirement to have our prayer answered. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Philippians 2:10) Jesus will give us the victory because of His cross.

JUNE 24, 2008 - A Song Of Victory

Meditation on Psalm 21

This psalm is a song of victory for King David by David. We can learn from him that victory needs to be sung before God. As David often sings victorious psalm, Christians need to sing our triumph over our enemies often. King David won over his enemies around him and his kingdom in his days through the blessings of strength from God. We today can overcome the attackers from Satan and his devils.

David's victory is a foreshadow of the victory of his earthly descendant, Jesus the Messiah. King Jesus has defeated Satan through the cross. His prayers have been answered. He is saving all those who trust in Him. He will come again to beat down all those who hated Him. He will rule forever. That's why the psalmist sing," He asked life of Thee; Thou didst give it to him, length of days forever and ever." (v. 4)

We who are in Christ can claim His victory and blessings too. "For Thou does make him joyful with gladness in Thy presence." (v. 6) Let us sing so God's presence is manifested in our midst.

When we see God helping us, we need to sing. When we need help, we can sing. When we see God is helping others to have victory, we can sing and praise His Power.

JUNE 25, 2008 - The Little Gospel

Meditation on Psalm 22

In ancient time, some called this psalm the small Gospel because this is a Messianic Psalm forth telling the suffering of Christ and the spreading of the message of God's Kingdom over the entire world.

On the cross, Jesus cried out to God the Father with the exact words as verse one of this psalm, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (NKJV)

At the same time, Jesus was ridiculed by the High Priests and Scribes. This was described from verse 6-8 in this psalm. "He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!" (v. 8)

The soldiers and Jesus' executioners were around the cross. This scene was depicted in verses 12-13.

Jesus' physical desperate exhaustion was described from verse 14-15. Please read it.

It is so amazing that David wrote this, "They pierced My hands and My feet." (v. 16b) That was the exact condition how Jesus was hanged on the cross.

More amazing is the prediction that "They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots." (v. 18) That was the precise situation how the soldiers decided who owned the garment of Jesus.

Praise God, Jesus' prayer was answered. (v. 21b)

He was resurrected. (Psalm 16:10)

Therefore we all can say with David, "I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you" (v. 22)

"All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the
families of the nations shall worship before you." (v. 27)

Isn't this the Gospel of Jesus!

JUNE 26, 2008 - Your Personal Shepherd

Meditation on Psalm 23

David, the experienced shepherd pictured himself as a sheep who needed a Shepherd. He acknowledged that the LORD was his shepherd. Therefore he would not be in want.

When David, the sheep followed the leading of the Shepherd, he was made to take his rest and eat and drink quiet water.

The Shepherd Himself would restore David's soul and led him in the righteous path.

Even in the most dangerous circumstance, David, the sheep should not be fearful because the Shepherd was present to comfort and guide the sheep.

God would honor and provide a feast for His followers even in the face of the enemies. Their victorious cup would be filled to the rim.

There would always be two life guards following the obedient sheep. They were called "goodness" and "mercy".

David knew that he will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

All David's experiences can be yours if you open your heart and receive Jesus the LORD as your personal Savior today. He then becomes your personal Shepherd.

JUNE 27, 2008 - Invite The King Above To Come In

Meditation on Psalm 24

This psalm says all things belong to the LORD. You and all yours belongs to Him. He created you. He designed you to be like you. Many scientists today discover that there must be a grand Designer of this awesome universe. The earth is located in its particular place in this galaxy, so we can enjoy our lives and our Creator.

But who can have fellowship with the holy God? Verse 4 says, "He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false." (NIV)

We all need a Savior who can help us to fulfill the requirement above. Invite Jesus your redeemer to come into your heart. And you will have fellowship with God in this life and forever.

The psalmist directs us to lift up your heart door to let the Messiah come in. Our church door needs to lift up to let Him to come in too because sometimes we insist our own way to do things in church and push Jesus out.

Moreover, Jerusalem will someday lift up its gate to let the glorious King of King to go in personally and physically as God will answer David's and God's people's prayers.

Let Christ's glory fill us, our church and our world!

JUNE 28, 2008 - Prayer For Learning And Forgiveness

Meditation on Psalm 25

David waited on God all day long to show him His ways and teach him His paths. (v. 4-5) I think that he wanted to learn from God how he can be delivered from his enemies. (v. 2)

David lamented for his own sins several times in this psalm and asked for God's forgiveness.

He even remembered the sins of his youth. I believe that he also wanted God to teach him how he would avoid making the same mistake again. He sang, "Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He teaches sinners in the way." (v. 8 NKJV)

David had confidence in God's mercies and lovingkindnesses. He knew that God would hear the prayers of the humble and those who fear the LORD.

He knew that he would be forgiven and he would learn God's way. God would deliver him from his enemies also.

He asked for the salvation not only for himself but also for all of God's people. (v. 22)

All of the above are indication of the heart of a true disciple! Let us learn from him by reflecting on this psalm carefully.