Daily Encouragement

May 30, 2010 - The Lord's Answer To Job

Meditation on Job 38

God's answer to Elijah was in a still small voice but God's answer to Job was out of the storm. I must have been a very dramatic and fearful experience for Job and his friends. God answered him by questions. (v. 1-3)

God drilled into Job the fact that He was the creator of all things in the universe including mankind. Therefore He established the dimensions and measure of the earth. While the angels were singing, God set the foundation and setting of the earth. He restrained the sea and firmament. He set the order for the nature and the morality for mankind. He gave the origin of life and death. He alone had all the knowledge of the phenomenon of nature and light and darkness. He dictated, prepared and benefited all things in earth including mankind. He formed and managed all the galaxy in heaven. He controls and gives understanding to man. He is the provider for all animals.

Facing all these vast and immeasurable knowledge, what is man that he can question God? May we all once again acknowledge His supreme and dominant greatness and holiness and bow down to worship Him.

May 31, 2010 - God's Restoration For Job

Meditation on Job 42

When Job repented of his arrogance before the LORD and acknowledged his fragility, God began to bless Him.

But He must first pray for his three friends who had spoken incorrectly about God's way of dealing with mankind. As Job's friends made offerings to God, He restored the fortune of Job. Job was healed and comforted by all his relatives and friends. They helped him with money also. Job was blessed with double portion of his wealth. He had ten children again.

God never treats his children unfavorably.

June 1, 2010 - How To Face Mounting Problems

Meditate on the Psalm 3

This is the first psalm of David in the book of Psalm. This giant of faith showed us how to survive during a period when he was experiencing the greatest danger and heartache in his life. It was a time when he was fleeing from His own son, Absalom who had plotted against him for years and now had a whole army to pursue David. (2 Samuel 15:13-17:22)

Verse one tells us that his enemies were rising. Verse two says that people were saying behind David that God would not deliver him. We can understand what the Israelites were thinking about their king then who was being chased by his rebellious son!

What is amazing is how David had confidence in God and His answer to prayers in such a tough time. (v. 3-4)

He was able to sleep in the sustaining grace of God. And he was not afraid of all the problems from every side. (v. 5-6)

Sometimes as Christians we should arise like David to pray for God's strike against our enemies. (v. 7)

What gave David such confidence that God was on his side? He knew that salvation could only come from God, and his ultimate motive was to gain blessings for God's people. (v. 8)

June 2, 2010 - Dealing With Malicious Slander

Meditation on Psalm 7

Perhaps you may discover someone whom you have treated nicely but turn around to slander you behind your back and is planning with others to harm you. What do you do?

David was accused and pursued by Cush unjustly with the intention to turn him to King Saul. In that tragic moment, David composed this song to sing to God. He expressed his intense feeling and turned to God in prayers.

He communicated to God that he was in great danger. He proclaimed to God his own innocence. He asked for justice and God's action to vindicate the righteous.

This Psalm expressed God's wrath against those who were wicked and constantly committed wrong. What they did will boomerang to themselves.

In times like that, this is the kind of prayers a believer can straight talk to God. And we can also have the confidence like David to sing, "I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD MOST HIGH." (v.17)

God is just!

June 3, 2010 - Declaring Your Love To God

Meditation on Psalm 18

This psalm is more than a psalm of a summary of God's grace upon David's kingdom. It is a fore shadow of the Kingdom of God on earth. Donald Williams' Commentary said, "God's wrath against David's enemy is cosmic embracing nature as well as history" in this psalm.

David witnessed o the Gentiles in this psalm. His kingdom will last forever as it is really God's kingdom.

We too can experience God's great blessings in our lives like David did because we are all in His kingdom. Jesus the Messiah, our King is the root of Jessi, David's father.

Therefore I appreciate very much David's expression to God at the beginning of the Psalm to summarize his feeling to God: "I will love you, O Lord, my strength." (KJV)

Can you tell God that this day? Read this psalm carefully again to see what God will do for you.

June 4, 2010 - 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 5, 2010 - 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.