Daily Encouragement

JULY 20, 2008 - Sing Praises To God

Meditation on Psalm 47

This psalm is a prophetic psalm celebrating the reign of Messiah over all the earth. Revelation 19 in the New Testament describes the details of the conquest of the Messiah at that time.

The saints could sing praises about God's reign in ancient Israel because God's plan has been initiated. We can praise about His rule now because His plan is being carried out. Jesus, the Messiah has come and will return to subdue all people and nations. Therefore we must sing with understanding, as the psalmist sang in verse 7, "For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with understanding." (NKJV)

The psalmist did refer to Israel specifically in verse four, "He will choose our inheritance for us, The excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah" The excellence of Jacob there referred to the land of milk and honey which God had promised to Israel through Moses. That will be God's choice for their inheritance. We saw that that has been fulfilled in 1948 when Israel revived to be a nation in their land. God will continue to protect Israel "for the shields of the earth belong to God." (v. 9) He controls all the warfare. He determines the final outcome.

"God has gone up with a shout," (v. 5) means that the Messiah God had ascended to be the King of Kings. He deserves to be praised again and again and again. We can sing the song of victory now! He is the Lord of all of us too.

"Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!" (v. 1)

JULY 21, 2008 - God Shall Reign Through Zion

Meditation on Psalm 48

Psalm 46, 47, and 48 are three Psalms prophesying the future reign of the Messiah. When leaders of the world shall realize that God is in the midst of the city of Zion, they shall revere the righteousness rule of God. At that time, the prophecy of Zechariah 14 will be fulfilled.

Before these prophecies will be fulfilled literally, I believe that we can also apply this psalm 48 to the church, the spiritual Body of Christ. For Hebrews 12: 22 -24 says, "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first born who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel." (NKJV)

Yes, the glory of God is in the church today. The church has become the joy of the whole earth. In this year of 2008, one third of the population on earth have professed that they are Christians. God is using the church everywhere to serve the many poor, sick and needy. We can see the beautiful edifices of churches in many parts of the earth. The church is telling the world that Jesus is alive and He is our God forever.

Let us all join the sons of Korah to sing, "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. (v. 1) … He will be our guide even to death." (v. 14b)

JULY 22. 2008 - Why Shouldn't We Fear Tough Days?

Meditation on Psalm 49

God had touched those ancient musicians in Israel to tell believers that we needed not fear evil days.

Those sons of Korah exhorted us first of all to pay attention to the wisdom of life from God's perspective. (v. 1-4)

They wanted us to understand this eternal truth: wealth cannot buy eternal life for us. Even though others may have a lot more money than us, what they boast is not able to help themselves or their relatives' souls to be right with God. (v. 5-9) To me, the implication is that those who have eternal life should not be afraid of being poor for now.

The psalmists elaborated further: Yes, a person may think that he can leave his wealth to others. What they own may continue to have the title under their own name. But still they will face eternity like a beast! (v. 10-12) That prospect would be unbearable.

The song continued in verse 13-15: In this life, a person could become a celebrity whose conversation may be noted and approved by the worldly people. She or he may be very beautiful and handsome for a short time on earth. But this person will face corruption in the grave without exception. But we who trust in God as our Savior all our lives will have our souls redeemed. We shall be received and taken into the presence of God, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me, Selah." (v. 15 NKJV)

Once again, the poets told us not to be afraid in verse 16. New American Stand Bible translated better here, "Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased." Though he congratulates himself while he lives and others praise him, he can carry nothing away when he dies and "he shall never see the light." (v. 19)

A man who may have honor yet do not understand this truth will perish like a beast, the inspired writer said. (v. 20)

So Christians, compare with others' material possession and honor, your days may be tough. But do not be afraid.

JULY 23, 2008 - The Day Of Court Is Coming

Meditation on Psalm 50

Asaph was a chief musician and prophet in David's time. He and his descendants wrote twelve psalms. Psalm 50 is the first one presented in the Hebrew Scriptures.

It begins with the prophecy of the coming Messiah God who will rule. (v. 1-3)

Judgment will begin with God's house. He will call his witnesses and evaluate the attitude of the worship and offerings of His people. God reminds us that everything in the world belongs to Him. So do not think that His house is depending on our giving. Rather it is us who are depending on Him. We glorify God because He has answered our call. (v. 4-15)

Then God is going to judge the wicked. He will judge their attitude toward His instruction. (v. 16-17) He will judge their conduct and words. God will even show the evidence of their wrong. (v. 18-22)

After His warning of the coming judgment, God gives all of us a way out. Those who offer praises to God and prove their faith by right conduct will be shown the salvation of God.

This psalm has a tremendous implication for us. What God is looking for is genuine worship in our lives that expresses deep gratitude to Him. A person who truly worships God does pay attention to His instruction and manifest the conduct that is acceptable to Him.

JULY 24, 2008 - Repentance

Meditation on Psalm 51

This is the most important psalm for our days, I believe. May I urge you to read it carefully and reflect upon it.

David was special not just because of his great victory over Goliath or his many accomplishments. The reason he maintained himself to be a man of God was because of his willingness to admit his own sins. For a great king he was well respected by his countrymen as well as all his enemies and friends of other nations. He could have covered up his adultery with Bathsheba like others in his era. He could do anything he wanted and get anything he wanted. He needed not answer to anybody.

But when he was confronted by Nathan the prophet, he realized his sin against God. And he wrote this psalm as a confession before God and even gave the psalm to the chief musician for putting it into music implying for teaching others to sing. He recognized that he could not hide his sin before God and his nation. Notice that he even confessed his quilt of bloodshed- his indirect killing of the husband of Bathsheba. (v. 14)

He pleaded for God's thorough cleansing and asked this, "Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (v. 11 NASB)

God did answer his prayer and restored unto him the joy of salvation. And he then could teach other sinners to turn back to God's way.

David brought out the most important fact when we came before God: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (v. 17)

In these day and culture, we are hardly encouraged to admit our wrong. Therefore we design many new terms to cover up our mistakes and sins. No wonder we would not grow as Christians. But asking for God's forgiveness for a specific sin will lead to our victory in Christian life and a giant step of growth. Our Jerusalem will be built up too!

JULY 25, 2008 - Backbiting

Meditation on Psalm 52

It is interesting to learn that David dealt with malicious backbiting with a psalm for the chief musician.

David could have written it at the time when he was dealt with a severe blow by Doeg the Edomite who intended to kill him and those who supported David. Or this was composed at a later time when David recalled the danger he was put in by Doeg's gossip against the servant of God.

Sometimes lie is half truth. It was obvious that Doeg revealed to Saul where David escaped to but add other rumors and innuendo to put David and his supporters in a bad position.

David taught us all that God will deal with backbiting. He sees everything in our lives. He will bring down the liar.

But God will protect his own people who hope in Him. He said "I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God." (v. 8 NIV)

He therefore still praised God in the presence of God's people.

How do you deal with backbiting? Can you learn from David!

JULY 26, 2008 – Salvation comes out of Zion!

Meditation on Psalm 53

Psalm 53 is very similar to Psalm 14. But there are some differences. Psalm 53 was written in a more sad tone as if mankind is progressively worse. This psalm was accompanied by a sad melody as it was indicated by the title. Some translated "Mahalath" as "disease". As the psalmist grew older, he lamented that man was afflicted with the incurable disease of sin.

Also this psalm is more specific about the sin of mankind in the description. And the word used for God in psalm 53 is only "Elohim". But Psalm 14 used the word, LORD or Yahweh (Commonly the KJV translated it as Jehovah.) couple times.

Since there are two occasions to reveal the same content, the Word of God wants to repeat the fact that all men are sinners. Romans chapter three quotes these psalms to remind us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

"There is no one who does good, not even one." (v. 3b NASB)

Interestingly, people who do not fear God yet do have panic for no reason. Therefore their bones shall be scattered all over when they attacked God's people. (v. 5)

But thank God that both psalm 14 and 53 offer solution at the end. "Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores His Captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad." (v. 6) Yes, there is still hope for the captives of sin.

This also is prophetic. The salvation of all mankind can only come from the church, represented by the concept of Zion. For Jesus said that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. (Matthew 16:18) The church is built on this Rock of the statement that the Messiah (same as Christ) is Jesus who is the Son of the living God. Salvation will come to all sinners who confess that Jesus is the Savior and Lord!