Daily Encouragement

October 26, 2008 - Worship With Confidence

Meditation on Psalm 138

King David gave us a great model of worship and praise in Psalm 138.

True worship must involve our whole heart. (v. 1) Our worship is done even before the angels. (Ancient Hebrew scholars translate the word "gods" in Hebrews to Greek as "angels".) They watch our worship. ("Praise Him above ye heavenly host" in Doxology)

The holy temple David talked about is referring to the place of worship in the Tabernacle. (v. 2) We should worship God in His sanctuary.

Why do we worship? It is because of His lovingkindness and His truth in His word.

We worship Him also because He answers our prayers and strengthen our souls. (v. 3)

King David called upon all the kings of the earth to praise the LORD. He prophesied that this will happen. (v. 4)

In worship we will hear the words of the LORD and sing of His ways and glory. (v. 5)

The LORD deserves our worship because He regards the lowly and is distant from the proud. (v. 6)

We can have confidence in worshipping all the time because He would revive us when we are in trouble and punish our enemies. (v. 7)

Most of all we can praise Him because He will perfect that which concerns us. He will not forsake His work in us and through us. (v. 8)

Therefore we can worship with great confidence!

OCTOBER 27, 2008 - Search Me, O God

Meditation on Psalm 139

The loftiest psalm of all the psalms is probably 139. The language is so beautiful as a poem. It is so deeply personal. At the same time, it expresses the omniscience (v. 1-6), the omnipresence (v .7-12) and the omnipotence of God. (v. 13-18)

From the beginning, King David declared that the merciful LORD had searched him and known him. He knew that he could not escape from God, that God had created him, ordained his path of life and knew everything about him. At the end, he still asked the righteous God to search him thoroughly. Why?

I believe that he knew he was a free but sinful human being. He could commit sin and he could associate in his heart with the wicked and idolater for one reason and another. He was concerned for his future. Since he wanted God to lead him in the eternal path, he needed to walk uprightly before God with perfect heart.

Many Christians just love this psalm. I know that some man have been helped by this psalm especially as they meditate upon v. 23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (KJV) Somehow God has touched them and brought them peace through these Words. The late Chinese composer, evangelist and educator, John Su who had worked with revivalist John Sung (宋尚節), had composed a song with these two verses. Many older Christians as well as many in China are still singing that song today.

I am sure that you will also find other words in this sublime psalm educational and inspirational in your life. Please read and reflect upon it again.

OCTOBER 28, 2008 - Deliver Us From Evil

Meditation on Psalm 140

The Lord Jesus taught us to pray ".....deliver us from the evil one..." (Matthew 6:13, NKJV) King David prayed, "Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men". (v. 1)

The evil ones are inspired by Satan. They are violent men who plan evil things. They are interested to fight. They are wicked and purposed to make us stumble. They are proud and set a snare for Christians.

One of the most evil manners about them is their lips. Several times it is mentioned in the psalm that their tongues are like a serpent. The poison of asps is under their lips. They slander others. Recently a famous movie star in Korea committed suicide because of unfounded slandering on the Internet and media. Malicious rumors can kill!

May we pray like David that God will protect us always. The LORD will maintain justice for the afflicted and the poor so that "Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence." (v. 13)

OCTOBER 29, 2008 - Deliver Us Form Evil (2)

Meditation on Psalm 141

King David continued from the previous psalm to pray for the judgment against the wicked. This time he asked God to make haste in answer. (v. 1) He was suffering greatly from the cruelty of the wicked. (v. 6-7)

He was also concerned for himself to avoid being evil in words and heart. He asked God to set a guard over his mouth.

He was willing to be corrected by the righteous. He wanted nothing to do with the evil ones. (v. 5)

He finished his prayer for protection from God and escape from the traps of the workers of iniquity. (v. 8-10)

David knew the heart of God. Since God does not like evil. We should avoid it and stand against it at all cost including those in the society.

OCTOBER 30, 2009 - When No One Cares For You

Meditation on Psalm 142

God uses the experience of David to teach us how to face loneliness and helplessness under the attack of enemy. David was pursued by King Saul and his mighty soldiers relentlessly for a long time in the wilderness. He was hiding in a cave when he composed this psalm.

Notice that he cried to God desperately. But he cried confidently also. There was no one who would help him or could care for him at those tragic hours. He felt like he was in a prison. Yet he knew that God could deliver him alive. "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of living." he prayed. (v. 5 NKJV)

He had come to realize he was weak compared to the persecutor. He was overwhelmed in his soul. He was trapped definitely. In such a condition, David still trusted in His God to get him out of the deep trouble he was in and look forward to His praise for God's bountiful dealing with him with other righteous people around him!

Faith is the victory even when no one cares.

OCTOBER 31, 2008 - Plea For Grace Not Law

Meditation on Psalm 143

This psalm has advanced to the realm of the New Testament. David, the composer has admitted that no one can stand before God by keeping the law. (v. 2) Thus he asks for God's lovingkindness in the morning. (v. 8 NKJV) Lovingkindness is translated as mercy or steadfast love or unfailing love in other translations. God's love for His servants is gracious and endures forever.

We cannot avoid persecution and distresses in this world. But we know that like David, God will hear our prayers and guide us with His Spirit. (v. 10a)

In His mercy, He will revive us and destroy all those who afflict us. (v. 11-12) We come before God not because how good we are or have been, but all because of His grace. Let us trust in the gracious character of God but walk in the land of uprightness. (v. 10b)

NOVEMBER 1, 2008 - Battle For Growth

Meditation Psalm 144

King David was inspired to write this great psalm to sing to the LORD asking for victory over foreign enemies and the prosperity for His people after enemies have been subdued.

It would be best to apply this psalm to the church today. We need to pray for victory over Satanic opposition. We need to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the dark forces and the devil's schemes so that the Gospel may be freely preached. (Ephesians 6:10-19)

I remember one of my seminary professors who was also a pastor told us that his church had a major room called the "War Room" where their staff planned strategy for outreach to the community. They had all kinds of resources and maps there for equipping the sharing of the love of God. I would imagine that they prayed a lot in that room too.

Our churches should have a room like that so we can pray and plan together for winning the lost. Oh, one more thing, we should sing battle songs together like David taught his people too.

Psalm 144:1 praises God that He teaches our hands and fingers how to fight battle. God will show us how. At the same time, David shows his humility and dependence upon the LORD. (v. 3-4)

Then David called on God to do battle. We need God's protection and rescue and mighty act to win in various circumstances. (v. 5-8)

And we will not forget to sing and play music before the LORD for success. (v. 9-10)

We will pray that we will continue to win our battles so we will have many sons and daughters for the LORD. We pray that our children will grow up in maturity and beauty. We pray that we will have rich Providences and that we will have safety in and out. And we will all be happy! (v. 11-15)