September 30, 2008 - Blessings From God's Word

Meditation on Psalm 119:1-16

Psalm 119 is a unique poem. It is divided into 22 sections with eight verses each. Each verse of each section begins with a word of the same Hebrew alphabet. The first word of all eight verses of the 22 sections of this psalm follows the sequence of the 22 Hebrew alphabets.

Since this psalm is the longest in the Bible, let us study only two sections of sixteen verses total each day in order for us to meditate upon them carefully.

The first group of eight verses begins with the first alphabet of Hebrews, א (Aleph).

When we walk in the law of the LORD and seek Him with the whole heart, we are blessed, the psalmist tells us. What does it mean to walk in His ways? We would do no iniquity and keep His precept and statutes diligently. The psalmist knows that this is what has commanded us to do so he asks God to direct him so he would not be ashamed but praise God for learning it. He realizes that it is not easy, thus he beg God not to forsake him. We must pray and do what the psalmist does.

The second section of eight verses begins with second alphabet, ב (Bet/Vet).

These verses tell us the blessings of God's word to help us get cleansing from sins. When we hid God's Word in our hearts, we will not sin against God. In return, the psalmist blesses God and praises Him! He wants to talk about God's judgments. He rejoices in God's testimonies as much as he rejoices in riches. He therefore determines to meditate upon God's Word and memorize them.

May we follow such course.

October 2, 2008 - Revive Me

Meditation on Psalm 119:33-56

The fifth section begins with ה (He).

Twice the psalmist asks God to restore his spiritual life by praying "Revive me". When God gives him the spiritual understanding in God's word then he realizes how much he himself needs revival. So he will turn from looking at worthless things, but that he will long for God's precepts and righteousness.

The sixth section begins with ו (Waw/Vav).

When revival comes to a person, he will experience salvation according to God's Word. (v. 41)

He will also have hope in God's ordinances. He will then begin to keep God's law permanently.

He will walk at liberty. He will have boldness to speak of God's testimonies before persons with authority. He will pray and continue to meditate.

We want to pray for this kind of revival in our lives individually.

The seventh section begins with ז (Zayin).

Since we have hope and life now, we will not be confused by the proud as well as having comfort in the LORD. I will be angry at those who forsake God's law. Yet I can sing songs about God's statutes at the temple. God's name is important to me day and night.

May the LORD grant you and me such a revival.

October 3, 2008 - Mercy For The Afflicted

Meditation on Psalm 119:57-88

In the eighth section, all sentences begin with the Hebrew alphabet, ח (Heth).

God is full of mercy. His word is full of mercy. When the psalmist claims God as his portion, he would sense that the earth is full of God's mercy. (v. 64) The psalmist have been bound by the cords of the wicked. He needs God's word to set him free. When he makes haste to keep God's commandment, he finds God's righteous judgments so he even rise at midnight to give thanks to God.

In the ninth section, all sentences begin with the Hebrew alphabet, ט (Teth).

In the midst of his affliction, the psalmist still acknowledges that God has dealt well with him. He knows that he went astray before his affliction. (v. 67) With his eyes opened to the ways of God now, he can see that "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." (v. 71 NKJV)

I shall never forget that one time when I visited a patient in the hospital, he told me he had been suffering for quite awhile there and that he didn't know why God allowed all this pain for him. On that occasion, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to read him the verse above. Then I pray for him and left. A month later at a banquet I met him again. He told me that he was thankful for my visit at the hospital and the verse I shared with him!

For the tenth strophe, all sentences begin with י (Yodh).

The psalmist pleads for more understanding of God's commandment. He hopes that other believers will be glad and turn to him for answer. Once again he realizes that in faithfulness God afflicted him so he would come back to Him. (v. 75) But he asks God to grant him merciful kindness for his comfort and living.

As to the proud and those who treated him wrongfully with falsehood, he asked God to put them to shame while he himself has no shame at all now.

In the chorus of the eleventh strophe, all sentences begin with ך (Kaph).

Some of the affliction that came upon the psalmist was persecution. He was innocent. Yet he has become like a wine skin in smoke. (v. 83) He is cracked and dry. The proud have dug pits for him. (v. 85) They almost made an end of him.

At this hour he is seeking God's restoration even for his physical life. (v. 88) But throughout all these happening, he never fails to search for God's word nor forget God's statutes and precepts.

In the toughest circumstances, we hang on to God's word. For our hope is in it. (v. 81)

October 4, 2008 - The Supremacy Of God's Word

Meditation on Psalm 119: 89-104

The twelfth Hebrew alphabet is ל (Leamed/Leamedh).

All of the psalms are the inspired word of God. These twelfth and thirteen strophes of Psalm 119 are specially powerful to point out that the word of God is incomparable.

Look at verse 89, "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." (NKJV) Jesus says "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one joy or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." (Matthew 5:17-18) The law and the prophet refer to the words of the Old Testament.

The word of God keeps us alive. (v. 92) The word of God is limitless and endless. (v. 96) It is eternal.

The thirteenth Hebrew alphabet is מ (Mem).

Continuing, the psalmist tells us that through the commandments, God makes him wiser than his enemies. (v. 98)

He has more understanding than all his teachers and the ancients, he says. (v. 99-100)

As a result, God's word is sweeter than honey to him and he hates every false way. (v. 103-104)

Wow, these are fantastic promises and applications of the word of God. May we all take them in hearts.

October 5, 2008 - We Need Light

Meditation on Psalm 119:105-136

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!"