Darren's Reflection on Psalm 91

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Thoughts:
I confess that many times I rush into getting things complete that I forgot to pray to God. Forgetting to commit my task in his hand and just finishing it by my own flesh. As I read this last 3 verses of Psalm 91, God with grace reminded me that always come to Him in all circumstances and be patient before him for he will come to our aid.

Application:
In the last 3 verses, it reveals God's character. He delights when we call upon him and acknowledges him. Then he goes to say he'll deliver and honor us, showing us salvation! I repent of the times I neglected him. No matter how anxious my heart is over any situation and how distracted it is, I'm going to make effort to pray and commit it to God always! :)

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

The whole psalm describes God's promise of protection for His people. This includes protection from God's enemies and protection from sicknesses.

Though God promises us protection, I still believe that trials and tribulations in life will still come - even upon those who acknowledges Him and love Him. After all, this is still a fallen world. But I'm sure God will cushion our pains and failures; and also let us learn something out of them.

When we learn to see things in God's perspective, suddenly life doesn't appear so gloomy. In fact, it should be filled with hope and excitement!


Verse 14 seems to be the key promise: "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. " O God, help me always love You and acknowledge You before man.


Things to ponder
1. What kind of protection do you (or your family) need most right now?
2. Pray and claim God's promise of protection for you. Remember the condition is that you have to love Him and acknowledge His name.

Pastor YC "Psalm 90: Timeless Living"

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men." For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning--though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years--or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands.

An eternal God who is not bounded by time - it is He who created us and gave us life - limited and on earth, and eternally beyond death.

I'm reaching the big FOUR-O in a few days time - half my life gone. Seemed like just yesterday when I was a 13 year-old boy who first received Christ into my life. It's indeed the time to take stock again: "How does what I am doing fits into where I am heading?"

Lord, teach me to number my days ARIGHT (properly, correctly).

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.

2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You turn men back to dust,
saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

4 For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
they are like the new grass of the morning-

6 though in the morning it springs up new,
by evening it is dry and withered.

7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.

8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.

10 The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

11 Who knows the power of your anger?
For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

12 Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13 Relent, O LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.

16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Just to share here what Pastor Eugene shared in church today in the sermon entitled "After 40 days.."

What began as a SEASON must then become a LIFESTYLE. The question is 'How can we develop a Lifestyle with Passion for the Presence of God?'

1) Let's Prioritize Worship - Acknowledge His Lordship
God is everlasting (v1-2). We're temporal (v3-6). Worshipping God should be part of every aspect of our life - and not just when we're in church.


2) Let's Pursue Reconcillation - Appreciate His Discipline
Moses' advice to us is "Don't play play". Don't take God's grace for us for granted. When His consequences come upon us.. it will be really terrible (v7-8, 11-12). It's because God loves us, hence He will surely discipline us (Revelations 3:19-20).

After all, Jesus has already died on the cross of us. Let's be reconciled back to Him and back to others. Forgiveness is received and to be given.


3) Let's Persist in Prayers - Appropriate His Promises
Converse with God through prayers. He hears us. Moses knew it clearly when he wrote v13-17. God's character of faithfulness, compassion and grace is shown. And any favour that we received, even from our own hands actually came from God! Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).


Personally, this was a breathtaking sermon. It made me make a fresh commitment before God to be passionate about Him. And Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." reminds me that I need to manage my time properly and put God first. No excuse.


Things to ponder
1. Which of the above 3 points speak to you the most? Why?
2. What are you going to do to continue to be passionate about God?
3. Pray a prayer of commitment before the Lord. Don't make any more excuses.

Pastor YC "Psalm 89: I WANT!"

Long psalm! 52 verses! I scanned through it and identified 3 parts:

1. v1-18: God's kingship
2. v19-37: Covenant with King David
3. v38-51: Lament (seemingly contradicts v19-37)
4. v52: Conclusion (v38-51 is not contradicting after all, it must have been the raw feelings of the psalmist when things were not going well)

What spoke to me was God's love for David, as outlined in v28-34.

I replaced "David" with my name - and man, would I love to be in that position!

PS 89:28 I will maintain my love to Yeang Cherng forever, and my covenant with him will never fail.

PS 89:30-33 "If Yeang Cherng's sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging; but I will not take my love from Yeang Cherng, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.

God, I WANT!

Psalm 89

A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,

4 'I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations.' "
Selah

5 The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.

6 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD ?
Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?

7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.

8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

9 You rule over the surging sea;
when its waves mount up, you still them.

10 You crushed Rahab like one of the slain;
with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.

11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you founded the world and all that is in it.

12 You created the north and the south;
Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.

13 Your arm is endued with power;
your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.

15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.

16 They rejoice in your name all day long;
they exult in your righteousness.

17 For you are their glory and strength,
and by your favor you exalt our horn.

18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.

19 Once you spoke in a vision,
to your faithful people you said:
"I have bestowed strength on a warrior;
I have exalted a young man from among the people.

20 I have found David my servant;
with my sacred oil I have anointed him.

21 My hand will sustain him;
surely my arm will strengthen him.

22 No enemy will subject him to tribute;
no wicked man will oppress him.

23 I will crush his foes before him
and strike down his adversaries.

24 My faithful love will be with him,
and through my name his horn will be exalted.

25 I will set his hand over the sea,
his right hand over the rivers.

26 He will call out to me, 'You are my Father,
my God, the Rock my Savior.'

27 I will also appoint him my firstborn,
the most exalted of the kings of the earth.

28 I will maintain my love to him forever,
and my covenant with him will never fail.

29 I will establish his line forever,
his throne as long as the heavens endure.

30 "If his sons forsake my law
and do not follow my statutes,

31 if they violate my decrees
and fail to keep my commands,

32 I will punish their sin with the rod,
their iniquity with flogging;

33 but I will not take my love from him,
nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.

34 I will not violate my covenant
or alter what my lips have uttered.

35 Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—
and I will not lie to David-

36 that his line will continue forever
and his throne endure before me like the sun;

37 it will be established forever like the moon,
the faithful witness in the sky."
Selah

38 But you have rejected, you have spurned,
you have been very angry with your anointed one.

39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant
and have defiled his crown in the dust.

40 You have broken through all his walls
and reduced his strongholds to ruins.

41 All who pass by have plundered him;
he has become the scorn of his neighbors.

42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
you have made all his enemies rejoice.

43 You have turned back the edge of his sword
and have not supported him in battle.

44 You have put an end to his splendor
and cast his throne to the ground.

45 You have cut short the days of his youth;
you have covered him with a mantle of shame.
Selah

46 How long, O LORD ? Will you hide yourself forever?
How long will your wrath burn like fire?

47 Remember how fleeting is my life.
For what futility you have created all men!

48 What man can live and not see death,
or save himself from the power of the grave?
Selah

49 O Lord, where is your former great love,
which in your faithfulness you swore to David?

50 Remember, Lord, how your servant has been mocked,
how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,

51 the taunts with which your enemies have mocked, O LORD,
with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.

52 Praise be to the LORD forever!
Amen and Amen.

The psalmist started the psalm by praising the Lord for His love for His people and His greatness (v1-18). Following that, from v19-37, the Lord's covenant with David was described. And at v38, the whole psalm took a dramatic twist. The psalmist began to complain to God all his troubles (v38-45). Finally, at the end, he still pleaded with God to have mercy upon him and his people (v46-51).

I felt kind of unfair when I read v38-45. The psalmist, for all his praises for God earlier, has kind of accused God of not keeping His covenant. I almost couldn't believe it when he wrote in v39 "You have renounced the covenant with your servant and have defiled his crown in the dust."

But I do understand that in our anguish or despair over certain situations in our lives, we can be very resentful towards God and make all kinds of conclusions (like in v39). At least, I know that I am guilty of it.

Many of us need successes in life to be affirmed that God truly loves us. Pastor Khong shared that during the last day of Sanctification. The fact is that Jesus has already gone to the cross for us. Why are we still looking for other signs that God loves us?


I think that as a Christian, I must learn to operate out of a firm assurance that God loves me. Even if I don't see successes or have lots of trouble in life, I sill remember that God dotes on me. That will be the only constant in my life.


Things to ponder
1. Have you ever said words like what the psalmist described in v38-45? If so, how did that happen?
2. Do you truly believe that God loves you? Why?
3. Pray for yourself to always remember God's love for you, even when things go wrong.

Pastor YC "Psalm 88: Faith in Darkness"

Through the darkest moments in life, the Psalmist had faith to cry out to God.

PS 88:3 For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave.
PS 88:4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.
PS 88:5 I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.


PS 88:15 From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; I have suffered your terrors and am in despair.
PS 88:16 Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me.
PS 88:17 All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me.
PS 88:18 You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.

Job was such a man.

JOB 2:9 His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"
JOB 2:10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

"God help me to stay true and faithful in good and bad times"

Psalm 88

King James Version

1 O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.

4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:

5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.

8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.

9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.

10 Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.

11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?

12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13 But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.

14 LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?

15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.

16 Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.

17 They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.

18 Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.

Till date (at least from what I've read), this must be one of the most depressive psalm in the Bible. The psalmist's laments and cries before the Lord is clear to all. Even his loved ones have all but abandoned him.

He's really in the pits.

One person that I can think of that is similiar to the psalmist would be Job. Read the book of Job in the Bible and you will realise that he too, was in the worst of worst state. But he didn't curse God nor speak one word bad about Him, despite his circumstances. Eventually, God restored Job.

The psalmist's only hope was still on the Lord. That's why he wrote Psalm 88. That's why his very first verse was "O LORD, the God who saves me"(NIV). He didn't curse God.


When all hell breaks lose and everything goes wrong - "一败涂地" and "全军覆没", will I still put my faith in Jesus? O Lord, help me to be always faithful to You!


Things to ponder
1. Pray for yourself that you will remember God's love for you even when you go through the most difficult circumstances.

Pasotr YC "Psalm 87: City of God"

I've never been to Israel and Jerusalem but today's psalm certainly raises the level of interest in this ancient city.

PS 87:1 He has set his foundation on the holy mountain;
PS 87:2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

The next few verses switch focus to the "city of God", referring probably to the heavenly city that God is preparing for all those who live in Him.

PS 87:3 Glorious things are said of you, O city of God: Selah
PS 87:4 "I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me-- Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush-- and will say, `This one was born in Zion.' "
PS 87:5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her."
PS 87:6 The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: "This one was born in Zion." Selah

Yet it is interesting that although Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre and Cush were nations that had trouble with Israel in the past days, it was Zion who prevailed against them because people from these cities/nations came to know God.


Today, "Zion" is present and thriving, although all of her oppressors have gone. Indeed Zion is the city of God.

PS 87:7 As they make music they will sing, "All my fountains are in you."

Psalm 87

Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

1 He has set his foundation on the holy mountain;

2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

3 Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God:
Selah

4 "I will record Rahab and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush —
and will say, 'This one was born in Zion.' "

5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
"This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her."

6 The LORD will write in the register of the peoples:
"This one was born in Zion."
Selah

7 As they make music they will sing,
"All my fountains are in you."

The psalmist described how the Lord shows favouritism towards the City of God, Zion and her people. He is very much pleased with them and acknowledges them as people of a higher position than others.

However, I believe that it doesn't mean that if we're not born of Zion, then God will not favour us. The psalmist wrote that those in Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre and Cush can be considered as citizens of Zion, as long as they acknowledge God (v4).

This is called "Grace".


Personally, I must learn to acknowledge God not just in my personal life, but also in front of others. I must let all around me to know that I'm a JESUS-FREAK!


Things to ponder
1. How much do you acknowledge God in your daily life? Rate yourself 1 to 10.
2. Give an example of an incident whereby you didn't dare to acknowledge God in front of others. OR give an example of an incident whereby you intentionally acknowledge God in front of others.
3. Pray that you will ALWAYS give glory to God in front of others.

Pastor YC "Psalm 86: Praying According to God's Character / Will"

Psalm 86 contains some my favourite verses that have been ingrained in memory since young.

PS 86:10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
PS 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
PS 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Yet for today's psalm I cannot help but notice another interesting structure, differentiated by colour coding as listed below.

• Prayer & cry to God
• Affirmation of God's character / faithfulness

PS 86:1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
PS 86:2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.
PS 86:3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.
PS 86:4 Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
PS 86:5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

PS 86:6 Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.
PS 86:7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.
PS 86:8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.
PS 86:9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.
PS 86:10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

PS 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
PS 86:12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
PS 86:13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.
PS 86:14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life--men without regard for you.
PS 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

PS 86:16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.
PS 86:17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Looking at this structure, it is clear that the psalmist's prayer is anchored with a confidence in the character and attributes of God. He was not trying to arm-twist God to answer his own prayers. But rather, his prayers were crafted with a Biblical understanding of who God is.

"Prayer is not trying to overcome God's reluctance, but rather to flow with His willingness."

Psalm 86

A prayer of David

1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.

2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.

3 Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.

5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.

7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life—
men without regard for you.

15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
grant your strength to your servant
and save the son of your maidservant.

17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

The psalmist started Psalm 86, admitting that he was poor and needy. What a broken man he was, before the Lord! Then he went on pleading the Lord to have mercy on him and help him.

The prayer that the psalmist made in v11 really touches my heart. "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." There are many things in this world that can distract us from God. Our hearts are often cluttered with many so-called good things like family, relationships, money, careers, studies, ministry, etc.

I'm not saying that we should not value the above-mentioned things. It's just that we have to remember that God should be in the centre of our hearts. We need to yearn and desire for an undivided heart for the Lord. Honestly, this cannot be done, if not for the grace of God. Hence, we have to humble ourselves and be broken, like the psalmist did in v1.

Admit that our hearts are deceitful. If there's even a hint of goodness, it is because our God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness - v15.


O'Lord, come and change my heart. I want to have a heart that is undivided and desires only You.


Things to ponder
1. What are some things that rival God's place in your heart right now? Name a few.
2. Pray for yourself to have an undivided heart before the Lord. Confess and repent of every rival throne in your heart now.
3. Suggest one or two things that you can do to help you have an undivided heart.

Pastor YC "Psalm 85: Outlining the Psalm"

PS 85:1 You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
PS 85:2 You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah
PS 85:3 You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.

Remembrance of God's past acts

PS 85:4 Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.
PS 85:5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
PS 85:6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
PS 85:7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

Lament and cry to God for present deliverance

PS 85:8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints--but let them not return to folly.

PS 85:9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
PS 85:10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
PS 85:11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
PS 85:12 The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
PS 85:13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

Confidence and affirmation of God's response.

Darren's Reflection on Psalm 85

10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12 The LORD will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.

Thoughts:
When there is love for God, we'll be faithful towards him, not worshiping idols(e.g. schoolwork, worldly things, etc.). When we obey God and be righteous, there'll be peace in our heart. God can easily allow faithfulness to spring forth for the earth and righteousness to look down from heaven. He is a generous God who can give me what is good, but He asked me: "Does your heart want it?"

Am I really putting in effort to love God and obey him in being righteous?


Application:
The application from God is a very simple one. I have to repent daily of my worldly desires and trust that he can change my heart, allowing myself to bear fruits from him.

Psalm 85

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 You showed favor to your land, O LORD;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.
Selah

3 You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.

4 Restore us again, O God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.

5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.

8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say;
he promises peace to his people, his saints—
but let them not return to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12 The LORD will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.

13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.

Psalm 85 is interesting. At the start of the psalm (v1-3), the psalmist recalled how the Lord had forgiven His people for what they've done. Then (v4-7), the psalmist made a prayer appealing to God to forgive them for some sin they have committed.

Because we live in a fallen world, there's always a tendency for us to go back to our old ways & sin against the Lord, even after we have received Christ.

Perhaps that is why the psalmist made this statement in v8 "I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints — but let them not return to folly. "

If we truly want to enjoy God's blessings in our lives - including love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace (v10), we must not return to our old and sinful ways, even though there is a tendcy for us to do it. We can resist against the devil and his temptations. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."


Personally, having a closer relationship with God now does help me to become more sensitive to the things in my life that are not pleasing to Him (like being impatient, prideful, speaking out of turn, gossiping, lustful thoughts). As a result, with His help, I have changed in some of those areas. I'm definitely not there yet, but I'm working on it.


Things to ponder
1. What are some things that you repeatedly do that displeases the Lord? Why do you keep doing them?
2. Pray for yourself to resist the temptations of the devil, with God's help in the things you have mentioned. Pray with a broken and contrite heart to the Lord.

Pastor YC "Psalm 84: Evaluation"

Evaluation time.

We've gone through an extended season of fasting from food, TV, computer games (among the more common activities that suck up our time) in order that we may return to the fundamental building blocks of our lives.

How much do we truly DELIGHT in the Lord after this extended season of DISCIPLINE?

I found myself asking this question late last week and today's psalm is so timely. It paints for us a picture of pure and unadulterated delight in the Lord. A picture of intense longing and deep hunger to be in God's presence

PS 84:1-2 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
PS 84:3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young--a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
PS 84:10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

I have grown to delight in God's Word more after this season. I'm reading and meditating on it throughout the day. I ask God not to let me go until He has given me revelation from His word. And I've committed to blog my reflections everyday.


There is still a temptation to just be lazy and go about my daily life without intentionally seeking His inspiration and guidance, but I think on a scale of 1 to 10, I've moved from 5 to 7.



I've grown to depend more on prayer after this season. In my heart there is change, and the actions are slowly changing according to what is inside. I pray more on my own, pray with more people, in more places than in the past. I am thinking about how we can make prayer central in the ministry again.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I think I've moved from 4 to 6.


Still far from the psalmist in Ps 84. Yet seeking God is a lifelong journey.



Oh Lord, make me hot for you. Do not allow me to remain in a lukewarm state and become statisfied with cruising along.

Psalm 84

For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!

2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
Selah

9 Look upon our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.

10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

12 O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Every verse of Psalm 84 really expresses the psalmist's desire to be in the house of God. He seeks and desires nothing else more.

As I ponder on what it means to be in the house of God, I felt that the Holy Spirit reminding me of two things.

The house of God can refer to Heaven.
We, Christians all know that when we die physically, because of what Jesus did at the cross, we are able to enter heaven (our real home which will last forever). He has prepared a place for every single one of us - read John 14:1-4. In heaven, we will be able to perfect and sin-less lives, in the presence of the Lord. We will be worshipping Him 24/7.

However, many of us forgot that we're only aliens to earth (temporal). We tend to love the things of the world more than God. The Bible describes that the people belonging to the hall of fame (Abraham, Noah and others) admitting that they were aliens and strangers on earth. They longed for a better country - a heavenly one. Read Hebrews 11:13-16.


The house of God can also refer to our Bodies.
In 1 Corinthians 6:19, it is said that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. The presence of God goes with us. Jesus lives in our hearts.

When we're close to God, we can feel His presence strongly in us every single moment of our lives - not just when we are in church. We can talk to Him, complain to Him, give praises to Him, seek refuge in Him, seek counsel from Him, receive His peace, etc. It is wonderful! And we don't have to wait until we go heaven to experience all this.

In order to reach this level of closeness with God, we must be disciplined in spending time with Him. That is why the church's focus now is Intimacy with God. Reading a psalm a day, praying for an hour, fasting meals, electronic games, etc.


Personally, I've been truly blessed this few months. I feel very much closer to God than in the past. Lord, help me to continue to desire for Your presence!


Things to ponder
1. How has the past 3 months been for you in terms of intimacy with God? Rate it from 1 to 10.
2. Why do you give that rating?
3. What is something you can do to grow even closer to God?
4. Pray for yourself to continue having the desire to be close to God.

Pastor YC "Psalm 83: 四面楚歌"

10 nations out to destroy Israel.

PS 83:4 "Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more."
PS 83:5 With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you--
PS 83:6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites,
PS 83:7 Gebal, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre.
PS 83:8 Even Assyria has joined them to lend strength to the descendants of Lot.

And true enough they did. In AD70, Jerusalem was destroyed. "四面楚歌" would be such an apt description of how they must have felt. Ten on one.
:(


And yet in 1947, an amazing thing happened, God gathered the nation back together again and today, we have the nation of Israel back where it started. The borders are not the same, but surely it speaks about God's hand on this nation.

They are still surrounded by nations that oppose them. They are in a constant state of readiness for war. Imagine staying in a neighbourhood where everyone is hostile towards you.

No wonder the psalmist has such strong words for them (v9-17).

Yet through all of these, one thing shines through. From the ancient times to today's wars, to both allies and enemies alike, there is no denying the miracle of Israel, and the glory of the God who protects them.

"PS 83:18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD--that you alone are the Most High over all the earth."

Praise God!

Psalm 83

A song. A psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, do not keep silent;
be not quiet, O God, be not still.

2 See how your enemies are astir,
how your foes rear their heads.

3 With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.

4 "Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation,
that the name of Israel be remembered no more."

5 With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you-

6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites,

7 Gebal, Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre.

8 Even Assyria has joined them
to lend strength to the descendants of Lot.
Selah

9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,

10 who perished at Endor
and became like refuse on the ground.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12 who said, "Let us take possession
of the pasturelands of God."

13 Make them like tumbleweed, O my God,
like chaff before the wind.

14 As fire consumes the forest
or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

15 so pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your storm.

16 Cover their faces with shame
so that men will seek your name, O LORD.

17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;
may they perish in disgrace.

18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Isn't it amazing the number of people against God? The psalmist listed out 10 nations of people who were determined to exterminate the Israelites. They were Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hargrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia and the Tyrians, and finally Assyria. What a mighty alliance against the people of God!

Facing such overwhelming odds and almost certain destruction, the psalmist turned towards God and cried out for help. He pleaded for God's judgement against Israel's enemies.

One of the biggest takeaway from this year's Sanctification sessions was that I knew that God dotes on me a lot. I'm like His special child and He will definitely give me the best. I've never felt such assurance ever before.

If God loves me so much, why should I fear even if everyone turns against me? If my Heavenly Father would allow His son, Jesus to die for me, what else would He not help me overcome? These words kept ringing in my head.

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

Things to ponder
1. Pray a prayer for yourself not to forget God's love for you, even when you face overwhelming odds in your life. Pray and thank God for Jesus.

Pastor YC "Psalm 82: Imperfect Judges under the Almighty God"

If imperfect judges are to execute judgment on earth, who is going to ensure that they are going to judge fairly?

The beginning of Ps 82 says that God is the one who installs judges.
- PS 82:1 God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the "gods"

The end of Ps 82 acknowledges that God is the ultimate Judge.
- PS 82:8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.

Sandwiched between these assurances are descriptions of the condition of human judges, and the honest evalaution is "cannot make it"!

1) They are partial
PS 82:2 "How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

2) They lack in understanding
PS 82:5 "They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

3) They are just like the mortal men they judge
PS 82:7 But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler."

The picture is pretty depressing, the only safeguard comes from v1 and v8. We have confidence in the judicial system not just because of the quality of the men, or the rigorous process of selection and appointment, but solely on the sovereignty of God.

Before we arise to complain and blast the lack of justice in our daily lives, have we paused first to call upon the One who installed all these judges? Let's pray for our leaders today!

Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

1 God presides in the great assembly;
he gives judgment among the "gods":

2 "How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Selah

3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

4 Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5 "They know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 "I said, 'You are "gods";
you are all sons of the Most High.'

7 But you will die like mere men;
you will fall like every other ruler."

8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.

The word 'gods' used in Psalm 82 in verses 1 and 6 appear to mean the judges of the land, according to the New King James Version of the Bible. Perhaps it could also mean those in authority - be it government or corporation - in today's context.

Imagine God calling all the rulers and leaders of the earth together, and asking them to give an account of what they have done. Questions like this will be asked: "Have you defended the weak and the fatherless? Have you maintained the rights of the poor and oppressed? Have you rescued the weak and needy and delivered them from the hands of the wicked? "

And I suspect, many of them will say no. Because they're busy pursuing their own desires.

With great power comes great responsibilities. When God puts us in a certain position of leadership and authority, He really expects us to be upholding justice and helping those in need.


O' Lord, help me always remember Your heart for the poor and needy, no matter what position I am in.


Things to ponder
1. At where you are right now, what are you doing about helping the poor and needy?
2. 20 years from now, what do you think you will be doing in helping the poor and needy?
3. Pray for yourself that you will always remember the poor and needy. Pray also for them that they will be able to get out of the poverty.

Pastor YC "Psalm 81: IF"

Imagine all Singaporeans enslaved under foreigners, labouring in a land where we do not even understand the language our oppressors speak.

"where we heard a language we did not understand." Ps 81:5b

That was the situation that God delivered the Israelites from. They were captive in Egypt and totally oppressed. They had no means and no strength to be able to fight back. But God did this for them:

PS 81:6 He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.
PS 81:7 In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

(Yes, God even made water flow out of the rock at Meribah)

IF, IF, IF.....

PS 81:8 "Hear, O my people, and I will warn you-- if you would but listen to me, O Israel!
PS 81:13 "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways

What why would a people not listen to God? Why would people not follow his ways?

PS 81:10 ... Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

PS 81:14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

PS 81:16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

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Psalm 81

For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph.

1 Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
play the melodious harp and lyre.

3 Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon,
and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast;

4 this is a decree for Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

5 He established it as a statute for Joseph
when he went out against Egypt,
where we heard a language we did not understand.

6 He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders;
their hands were set free from the basket.

7 In your distress you called and I rescued you,
I answered you out of a thundercloud;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Selah

8 "Hear, O my people, and I will warn you—
if you would but listen to me, O Israel!

9 You shall have no foreign god among you;
you shall not bow down to an alien god.

10 I am the LORD your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

11 "But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.

12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own devices.

13 "If my people would but listen to me,
if Israel would follow my ways,

14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!

15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him,
and their punishment would last forever.

16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

Will you listen to the Lord? Will you submit to Him? Apparently, many of the the Israelites said no (verse 11).

Today is Good Friday when we remember Lord Jesus for going to the cross for you and me. Make a fresh new commitment to the Lord. Seek Him first above all. Don't just go for His blessings.

Say to the Lord what Moses said in Exodus 33:15 "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here (into a land filled with milk and honey)."


Things to ponder
1. Are there false idols in your life, as described in Psalm 81:9? List them down here.
2. Confess and repent before the Lord for worshipping false idols.
3. Pray a prayer of commitment today to seek God's presence more than God's blessings.

Pastor YC "Psalm 80: Restoration"

Psalm 80 means a lot to me personally (as a pastor) and as a member of FCBC.

I remembered how God called me to become a pastor even when was in school. I entered the ministry full of hope and confidence that I was going to be victorious as a pastor and glory lay ahead of me. Surely if God calls, then He must have prepared the road for me!

That got all shaken up when I went through the setbacks in ministry. Many of the people I failed to shepherd were the very same ones that I spent the most time with, gave the most to. The very areas of ministry I believe the Lord gave to me, I could not even teach my own people.

PS 80:4 O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?

It was the same for FCBC - in the 1990s we were the "hottest church in town" - 12k members in those days when the "competition" were not even close. Yet in the recent years, my beloved church went through such a difficult patch and negative sentiments saturated the scene, both in and out of the church. More members left the church and very few christians would even consider coming.

PS 80:12 Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes?

Yet today, by God's sovereign hand, miraculously I received closure about all of these. At the Week of Sanctification meeting that we had at church, God simply pin-pointed the crux of the issues.

I was led to pray against all the negative comments and curses, especially of those from those who left unhappily. I prayed that the "arrows of slander" would not harm us and that God will deal with these.

On a personal front, amazingly I realised that what I could not get over was NOT forgiveness of past issues, it was letting go of present day expectations. In my honest sincerity (in my wife's words "你满单纯的"), I still harboured hopes and expectations that one day, these individuals will finally respond to my sincerity and love. I just could not believe that rejection could be the response towards self-sacrificing sincerity.

Today I nailed all thsoe expectations to the cross. Jesus alone has met all those expectations. I can let them go.

revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 80

For the director of music. To the tune of "The Lilies of the Covenant." Of Asaph. A psalm.

1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock;
you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
come and save us.

3 Restore us, O God;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.

4 O LORD God Almighty,
how long will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.

6 You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.

7 Restore us, O God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.

8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.

9 You cleared the ground for it,
and it took root and filled the land.

10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.

11 It sent out its boughs to the Sea,
its shoots as far as the River.

12 Why have you broken down its walls
so that all who pass by pick its grapes?

13 Boars from the forest ravage it
and the creatures of the field feed on it.

14 Return to us, O God Almighty!
Look down from heaven and see!
Watch over this vine,

15 the root your right hand has planted,
the son you have raised up for yourself.

16 Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;
at your rebuke your people perish.

17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

18 Then we will not turn away from you;
revive us, and we will call on your name.

19 Restore us, O LORD God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.

Again the psalmist and his people appear to be in deep trouble. Interestingly enough, Asaph made a similiar prayer three times in Psalm 80 - verses 3, 7 and 13.


"Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved"

I personally felt that this prayer spoke to me as FCBC goes through the Week of Sanctification (yeah, today is day 2!).

1. I really pray that the Lord restore me (and the church) to my first love with God. On the first day of Sanctification, Pastor Khong asked us "Do you want God or do you want His blessings?"
   


2. I really pray that truly the face and glory of God be reflected off me. That others will see me, and see God in me. I don't want to wear a veil and pretend to be spiritual. I want to be genuinely close to God.
   


3. I really pray that God will save me from myself! I know that without the grace of God, all I have is a selfish heart that only seeks to satisfy my desires. May God pour forth on me a greater hunger and thirst for God's presence in my life.
   
   

Things to ponder
1. Pray this prayer of restoration for yourself and your cell group as we all go for Sanctification.