Daily Encouragement

OCTOBER 5, 2008 - We Need Light

14th section: נ (Nun).

In a world of relative morality that leads to darkness, we need light to see our path of life. Where should we go in the important choices of value system and philosophy of life? Should we follow the culture, the tradition, the crowd, the conscience, our heroes or others?

The psalmist tells us that God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (v. 105) Our lives often suffer affliction. The wicked have laid a trap for us. We need revival again. So God's word guides and shows us what to do. Then we will give freewill offering to Him through our mouth. We praise His way and pledge to follow it to the very end.

15th section: ס (Samekh).

There are those who are double-minded. (v. 113) These people claim to be for God's principle one day, but quickly change their mind the next day. Those who follow the light of the LORD will hate them and depart from these evil doers. (v. 115) God will reject those who stray from his statutes. When we see God dumps the wicked like dross, we will be tremble and fearful of His judgments. (v. 120)

But God will hold us up. We can hope in His word.

16th section: ע (Ayin).

The psalmist says that he searches for God's salvation and righteous word so intensely that his eyes fail. (v. 123) He longs for God's teaching and giving him understanding.

The people of the world have regarded God's law as void (v. 126) Indeed we in the decisions of judges and justices in this country so often. So often the worldly opinion is contrary to God's word. But we shall consider God's precepts to be right. (v. 128)

17th section: פ (Pe).

"The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (v. 130 NKJV) What a comfort to everyone who longs for God's enlightenment.

By God's word our steps are directed. Moreover, we will have our prayers answered so that we will not be dominated by iniquity. (v. 133)

God will smile at us and continue to shine upon us. (v. 135)

God is merciful to us who seek his light. He will look upon us with favor and protect us. Therefore we can become merciful also and weep for those who do not keep God's law today. (v. 136)

Praise God for His guiding light and pray for those who are acting contrarily, so they may return to Him.

OCTOBER 6, 2008 - Everlasting Righteousness

Meditation on Psalm 119:137-144

Section 18 "צ" (Tsade)

Throughout this section, the righteousness of God is emphasized. His judgments and testimonies are righteous. Most importantly, both His righteousness and the righteousness of His testimony are everlasting. (v. 142 & 144)

We are in a changing world today. Everything seems to be changing. People think that the truth is changing and the sense of justice and rightness is changing. What is right and what is wrong? Who knows? But we are most thankful that God's truth never changes. And "His word is very pure" (v. 140a NJKV)

We want to learn from the psalmist to love God's word and pray for spiritual understanding while we are concerned that people so easily forget God's words.

OCTOBER 7, 2008 - Crying For Revival

Meditation on Psalm 119:145-176

Section 19, "ק" (Qoph)

Three times from verse 145 to 147, it was said that the psalmist is crying to God for help. He cries day and night whenever he is awake. He knows the utmost importance of God's word. He prays that the LORD will revive him according to His justice. That implies that God's people need to draw close to the word of God. He is merciful and His word has been founded from of old till now. (v. 152) When we continue to meditate upon God's word, our cry for revival will be heard.

Section 20, "ר" (Resh)

Verse 154b says, "Revive me according to Your word." (NKJV) Verse 156b continues with "Revive me according to Your judgments." Verse 159b prays "Revive me , O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness."

Revival means to be delivered from affliction and to have redemption and salvation. Through consistent turning to God's word and keep it, God will revive us according to His promise, covenant and because of His tender mercies.

Section 21, "ש" (Shin)

As a result of God's granting revival, the psalmist stands in awe of God's word in spite of some persecution from those who have authority. (v. 161) He rejoices at the Word of God and enjoys peace. (v. 162, 165) He praises God all the time! (v. 164) He obeys God's command and hates lying. He understands that God is watching over all his ways. (v. 168)

Section 22, "ת" (Taw)

The psalmist admits that he needs revival all the time because he has gone astray like a lost sheep. (v. 176) This is brutally honest for this psalmist who has gone through so much in his spiritual experience. He still pleads, "Seek your servant." at the end of this poem.

Like the psalmist, we should constantly pray for spiritual understanding according to God's word. We shall speak of Him all the time. We shall praise Him because He allows us live for Him. What a privilege to know His Word and have His hand upon us.

Let our personal cry comes before our LORD, "Give me understanding and revive me!"

OCTOBER 8, 2008 - The Problem Of Old Nature

Meditation on Psalm 120

The lying tongue is a symbol of one's old nature. According to James 3, the tongue is most difficult to control and if one can control his tongue, he can control the whole body. "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (James 3:6 NJKV)

The psalmist here in Psalm 120 is crying for help to deal with a deceitful tongue. The only way to deal with it is the "sharp arrows of the warrior, (and burn it) with coals of the broom tree." (v. 4) That symbolizes the death of the old nature. The psalmist continues to express his woe that he dwells no matter whether it is in the North or the South; he is affected by the problem of tongue which cannot be kept quiet. Not only he has that problem, others are the same. (v. 7) This is a similar problem which Isaiah admitted, "... Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; ..." (Isaiah 6:5)

Thank God that He heard the distressing call of the psalmist. (v. 1) God also heard the distressing call of Paul who asked. "Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God- through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25)

Our old nature has been crucified with Christ. (Romans 6:6) When we recognize this and consider our old selves as dead but live our new lives given by Jesus through committing to the total control by Christ, we will have victory over our old nature. Let us listen to the Spirit of Christ within us and obey Him so we will live the new life in victory. (Romans 8:6)

OCTOBER 9, 2008 - God's Protection

Meditation on Psalm 121

When the psalmist lifts up his eyes to meditate, he finds his help from the creator of the universe. (v. 1-2)

He can hear the voice from heaven to insure him God's protection upon His people. From verse 3 to 8, every verse is a description of God's protection for us who look to Him.

God will keep us firm and secure. He will watch over us every minute of our lives without slumber. He will give us covering from heat and danger. He will not allow us to be hurt by natural disaster. He will preserve us from all evils. He will keep our souls. Forever He will protect us in our traveling in and out.

What a comfort to you who trust in Him and rely on Him! God's word says that all things work together for good to those who love God. (Romans 8:28)

OCTOBER 10, 2008 - The House Of God

Meditation on Psalm 122

This happy psalm by King David illustrated the joy of going to the house of God. This was one of the song of Ascents sang by the travelers to Jerusalem or by the priests as they went up the staircases in the place of worship. I believe this is a prophetic psalm composed by David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There are spiritual implications to all of us.

How happy we should be to stand within the gate of our church, which is our spiritual Jerusalem where the people of God gathered in whom God's presence dwells. (v. 1-2)

Our church should be like the ancient Jerusalem that was built compact together where all elected peoples of God love each other and have very close fellowship with one another. (v. 3)

There are thanksgiving to God and judgment by God in the church of God. (v. 4-5)

We are commanded to pray for the peace and prosperity of our church. (v. 6-7)

For the sake of our church and the welfare of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to pray for the peace of Israel and Jerusalem today. (v. 8-9)

OCTOBER 11, 2008 - In Time Like This, Where Do You Look?

Meditation on Psalm 123

This is a difficult time for many of us, especially those of us who live in California. Economic difficulty is one thing. But consider the slipping morality, the demand of change concerning the traditional definition of marriage, the casual elimination of the unborn, all these are even worse conditions than we have seen in our life time. These later manifestation of the society are coming from the mentality of a contempt of the Word of God. People who are faithful to the Bible are being scorn and ridiculed. Those who openly attacked the Biblical values of the Christians are so proud and so at ease.

Psalm 123 should be a psalm for our days as God's people. We must learn to look unto God for mercy and grace through prayers. As we wait upon the LORD, we must look intently to his directions and gesture and guidance as a man or maid slave gazes upon the master or mistress. (v. 1-2)

We must follow the indication of the LORD whether to wait a little longer or to start moving in the way He wants us to move. God will answer our prayers. He has already told us what to do through the prompting of the Holy Spirit toward our brethren. We thank God and obey His voice.