1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.
If you have been a Christian long enough, and if you really obey the word of God, you will realize that there will be many situations in your life that you will stick out like a sore thumb.
For instance,1. Refusing to speak any kind of vulgarities in school or NS.
2. Refusing to cheat during tests or exams when all your friends are doing it (rampant in NUS or NTU)
3. Refusing to smoke or watch porn when your friends think it's the cool thing to do.
4. Attending church and cell meetings regularly whereas your friends go out and have fun.
5. Committing your studies to God and continue to serve Him whereas your friends just mug and mug at home when exams near.
And because you are different, people around you may call you all kind of names, and they may even laugh at you. Just like verses 1 and 2 in Psalm 11. They may shoot arrows of accusations at you.
The psalmist didn't encouage us to strike back directly at these people. He wants us to know that God is in control, and He will judge those who judge us. We just need to take refuge in Him and trust Him. Our reward is to be able to see His face (verse 7) - to be able to enjoy a personal relationship with Him and have direct access to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Isn't that wonderful?
Things to ponder:
1. What are some situations in your life that you've learnt to be different from the rest of your friends when you obey God?
2. What are some situations that you've compromised your faith and joined your friends in doing things that doesn't please God?
3. Commit all the above situations to God and pray a prayer telling Him that you truly desire intimacy with Him.
Dear Heavenly Father, I know that when I truly obey You in all that I do, there will be times that people around me will make fun of me or even call me names. Father, my prayer is that I will stand firm to what I believe in and not be afraid or embarrassed, because I know You care about me, and it's Your opinions that truly matter. Father, I desire a personal relationship with You and see Your face. In Jesus' name I ask and pray. Amen!
Click here for Pastor YC's Reflection on Psalm 11
1 comment:
It's amazing how intense being a Christian is. In the short period of just half a year, I've already experienced the first two points that Sze Kiang mentioned; situations in life that taught me to be different from the rest of my friends when I obey God, and situations that I've compromised my faith in and joined my friends in doing things that don't please God. Something interesting about being Christian is that you never get bored, heh. =P.
In my first six months as God's spiritual son, I've deviated from the norm of my peers and family because I chose to believe in God and uphold my beliefs. For starters, I refused to speak vulgarities in class even though all the boys were doing it. I also refused to conform to the norm of us boys throwing birthday bashes "a la gang-rape" in school toilets after school even though everyone was doing it because I believed that God wouldn't like it if I did that. I even held my ground when my family made seemingly harmless comments about my Christian beliefs (which were actually quite insulting) and stilled my temper, when I would have began arguing back if it had happened a few years ago. I feel proud that I've tried my best to be God's filial son.
However, being only human, I have done things that compromised my faith in God. When I couldn't finish my homework on time, I gave in to temptation and copied my unfinished sums from my peers in class before morning assembly. This makes me realise that we are not perfect by nature. It is only by God's grace that we can try our best to live up to His expectations and live a meaningful life.
Father, I pray that in the days to come, you will let me come to know You better. Guide me as I try to draw closer to you, and give me the strength to stand up for what I believe in, and let me stand strong as a testimony of Your mighty power. I pray for your guidance in my life, that you will let me grow spiritually in You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!
Post a Comment