Darren's Reflection on Psalm 43

3 Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.

4 Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.

Thoughts:
Only when God reveals his light and truth, will we find delight and joy in seeking the Lord. How can God reveal his light and truth? When we give time to sit down and stay away of our busyness, meditating on God's words and sharing with him in prayer our life's issues.

Application:
Delight will come only when we make effort to build the relationship with God. This priniciple is so similar to making friends, building relationship with a friend will bring about a delight to be in his presence. As I prayed, I felt that receiving this delight does not drop in overnight. It takes time for we are sinful in nature.

God needs time to guide and purify us so that we can be holy in His name. To be honest, I feel that I have not gained the delight that God expects of me when seeking him, but I'm going to be patient and press on in perseverance. With a hope that eventually, I'll have so much joy in doing Quite time and reading the bible, I can just flow freely with the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 45

1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

2 You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.

3 Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.

4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;
let your right hand display awesome deeds.

5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.

6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.

8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces adorned with ivory
the music of the strings makes you glad.

9 Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.

10 Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear:
Forget your people and your father's house.

11 The king is enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.

12 The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift,
men of wealth will seek your favor.

13 All glorious is the princess within her chamber ;
her gown is interwoven with gold.

14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
her virgin companions follow her
and are brought to you.

15 They are led in with joy and gladness;
they enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

I didn't really understand the significance of this psalm the first time I read it. I humbled myself and searched the Internet to learn more about it.

Pslam 45 is a psalm that was sung at a wedding. Perhaps, it could be one of King Solomon's weddings. But verses 2-9 really describes to us the coming of Jesus Christ and His character. His willingness to walk in truth, humility and righteousness. Hebrews 1:8-9 quotes Psalm 45:6-7. "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

Psalm 45:10-15 talks about the bride. In the Bible, the church is often described as the bride of Jesus. These few verses hence are talking about us. Christians. The Lord is delighted with His people. "The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. "


I find it amazing that the Lord is delighted with me. The number of sins that I've committed, the dirt that I feel. Yet, because of what Jesus did at the cross, as long as I confess & repent, all my sins have been cleansed. God forgives me and takes delight in me.


Things to ponder
1. How much do you think God takes delight in you? Rate from 1 to 10 (10 means a lot a lot). Why?
2. What is 1 thing that you're doing or going to do that shows your delight for the Lord?
3. Pray and tell the Lord you love Him. And pray and accept the Lord's delight and love today.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 45

Psalm 44

1 We have heard with our ears, O God;
our fathers have told us
what you did in their days,
in days long ago.

2 With your hand you drove out the nations
and planted our fathers;
you crushed the peoples
and made our fathers flourish.

3 It was not by their sword that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved them.

4 You are my King and my God,
who decrees victories for Jacob.

5 Through you we push back our enemies;
through your name we trample our foes.

6 I do not trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;

7 but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.

8 In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.
Selah

9 But now you have rejected and humbled us;
you no longer go out with our armies.

10 You made us retreat before the enemy,
and our adversaries have plundered us.

11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep
and have scattered us among the nations.

12 You sold your people for a pittance,
gaining nothing from their sale.

13 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors,
the scorn and derision of those around us.

14 You have made us a byword among the nations;
the peoples shake their heads at us.

15 My disgrace is before me all day long,
and my face is covered with shame

16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me,
because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.

17 All this happened to us,
though we had not forgotten you
or been false to your covenant.

18 Our hearts had not turned back;
our feet had not strayed from your path.

19 But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals
and covered us over with deep darkness.

20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,

21 would not God have discovered it,
since he knows the secrets of the heart?

22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

23 Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.

24 Why do you hide your face
and forget our misery and oppression?

25 We are brought down to the dust;
our bodies cling to the ground.

26 Rise up and help us;
redeem us because of your unfailing love.

The psalmist sounded really disturbed & desperate. From verse 9-25, he poured forth his complaints before God. He felt that the Lord has abandoned His people even though they were righteous.

I believe the fact that God allows negative circumstances to happen to us doesn't mean He wants to punish us. In fact, it may be that He wants to move us to a higher level of spiritual maturity. Like what Pastor Khong shared, the storms of life will come. A good biblical example would be Job. God tested him.

The other thing that struck me was the psalmist's upbringing. From verse 1-3, he recalled how God blessed his forefathers. His father brought him up well & gave God all the credit for his people's success.

Because of that, the psalmist recognizes the greatness & goodness of God (verse 4-8). And at the end of his desperate plea, he asked God to redeem his people. He knew that His love for them was unfailing.


Personally, I really see the importance of spiritual & physical fathering from the psalm. I want to impart to my spiritual & physical children the fear of the Lord. I want to teach them to give thanks to God in all situations. And in order to do that, I myself need to lead by example.


Things to ponder
1. Rate yourself 1 to 10 how often you give credit to God or thank God every time you enjoy some kind of success?
2. This year, what is one thing you can do to show the friends around you the goodness & greatness of God?
3. Pray & commit to the Lord the things mentioned above.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 44

Psalm 43

1 Vindicate me, O God,
and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.

2 You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?

3 Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.

4 Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Pslam 43:5 has previously been repeated twice in Psalm 42 as verses 5a and 11. Anything that is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible must be somewhat significant.

Yesterday afternoon, Pastor Khong just shared with us that many of us have a certain sense of restlessness in this Year of Sabbath. This restlessness could be due to God-fearing Christians envious of non-Christians' successes in their careers, families, r/s, etc. It could also be due to negative circumstances as well.

Doesn't Psalm 43:5 mention about some kind of disturbances (restlessness) in our spirits? "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

Just today, I was tired and weary after a day of teaching in school. I wanted to have a good rest when I reached home. But my father told me over the phone to help him do something (which I felt was unecessary at this point). I felt so disturbed in my soul, just like what the psalmist said. I was kind of upset at my father.

I prayed about it, and God reminded me of Psalm 43:5. The key to get out of this state of disturbance is to put my hope in God, and recognize that He is my Savior and my God. I just need to trust Him and do persevere to do good.


Things to ponder
1. What are two areas in your life that you feel constantly disturbed about?
2. What do you think God wants you to do about those two areas?
3. Pray and commit the two areas to the Lord. Trust Him and persevere on in doing good!

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 43

Psalm 42

1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.

8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"

10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Do you thirst for the Holy Spirit like what the psalmist described of the deer in verse 1? God must be the source of our strength. If He is not, whatever that we do, we're merely relying on our own strength.

I've been serving as a youth cell leader for slightly more than 3 years. I've learnt that when I do things using my own strength, I would run dry very fast. I would lose the zest whenever I encounter difficulties and setbacks. In fact, if not for the grace of God, I probably would have stopped being a cell leader.

But thanks be to God! This is the Year of Sabbath, whereby we Rely and Remember the Lord. I thirst for the Holy Spirit to fill my soul everyday. And it shouldn't just be about ministry, but in every aspect of my life. Even in my workplace, as a teacher, I should pray for the Holy Spirit to teach me and give me His wisdom.

I found this song "As the deer". It's a wonderful song with lyrics similar to Psalm 42. Have a blessed time listening!





Things to ponder
1. How many percent of your daily life do you rely on Go and ask Him to help you make decisions?
2. When was the last time whereby you actually ask the Holy Spirit to fill you?
3. Thirst for the Lord and pray! Pray that Holy Spirit will fill you every day. Have a deep desire for Him.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 42

Psalm 41

1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak;
the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.

2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life;
he will bless him in the land
and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.

3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed
and restore him from his bed of illness.

4 I said, "O LORD, have mercy on me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you."

5 My enemies say of me in malice,
"When will he die and his name perish?"

6 Whenever one comes to see me,
he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
then he goes out and spreads it abroad.

7 All my enemies whisper together against me;
they imagine the worst for me, saying,

8 "A vile disease has beset him;
he will never get up from the place where he lies."

9 Even my close friend, whom I trusted,
he who shared my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me.

10 But you, O LORD, have mercy on me;
raise me up, that I may repay them.

11 I know that you are pleased with me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me.

12 In my integrity you uphold me
and set me in your presence forever.

13 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

The psalmist started this psalm with a series of blessings - the Lord will deliver him in times of trouble, protect him, preserve his life, bless him in the land, not give him up to his foes' desires and heal him in times of sickness.

I'm sure all of us desire and want to have all of the above. I do.

But Psalm 41 did state that there is a condition for us to fulfill, if we want to enjoy the blessings. We need to have regard for the weak (verse 1a).

We need to think about those that are less fortunate than us - can be people with physical or mental handicaps, or can be people who are poor financially. In this festive season of Chinese New Year, are we thinking about the poor and needy? Or are we just concerned about ourselves?

Paul mentioned this in Galatians 2:10 "All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."


Personally, I realised that I can be pretty self-centred throughout the whole of Chinese New Year period. I'm constantly thinking about myself and the things that I'm involved in. I have neglected the poor and needy. I really don't think God is pleased. After reading today's psalm, I commit myself to housevisit at least Po Po's house at Toa Payoh. I need to remember the poor.


Things to ponder
1. When was the last time you ever did something for the poor and needy? What did you do?
2. During this Chinese New Year period, what is one thing you can do to remember the poor and needy?
3. Pray and commit to God the thing you want to do to remember the poor and needy.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 41

Psalm 40

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.

7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.

8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.

12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.

14 May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.

16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"

17 Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.

Many of us are familiar with the story of Saul. He was a king, chosen by God to lead the people of Israel. However, he disobeyed God and lost favor with Him. As a result, David was chosen by God to replace Saul.

1 Samuel 15:22 teaches us the important lesson to be learnt from Saul. "Samuel said, 'Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. '"

Psalm 40:6-8 reminds us of the same thing as well. God doesn't just want our sacrifices of time, money, etc (though it's good that we give to Him). But what He really desires are obedient children who will do His will.


Personally, I find myself sometimes only having partial obedience with regards to the things God wants me to do. However, clearly from the example of Saul, partial obedience is something the Lord despises. And it's the same as disobedience. I really need to pray against it.


Things to ponder
1. How obedient are you towards God? Give a rating of 1 to 10 (10 means most obedient).
2. How obedient are you towards your cell leader? Give a rating too.
3. What is one area that you find yourself not obedient to God in?
4. Pray and repent to the Lord. Ask God to give you a heart of obedience.


Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 40

Psalm 39

1 I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."

2 But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.

3 My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah

6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.

10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah

12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.

13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am no more."

Psalm 39 gives me the impression that the psalmist, David, began to realise how temporal his life on earth was.

Isn't that surprising? As a king, David had so much wealth and power that many would have envied. He's probably like the President of the United States in present-day context.

Yet, David's words in verse 6 revealed his thoughts. All the wealth that he had accumulated, where would it go when he's physically dead? In verse 4, David even pleaded with God to show him how fleeting (temporal, transient) his life on earth was.

Nearing the end of the psalm, at verse 12, David's concluding prayer was to ask the Lord to reveal the true meaning of life. Actually, David had kind of acknowledged that he was a stranger to this world, just like his forefathers. Hebrews 11:13-16 confirms it clearly.

13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Personally, at times, I think I've been distracted by things of this world too much. I need to stay focused on the kingdom of God because that's God's purpose for my life. And the kingdom will last eternally. I pray that I will love God more than loving the world.


Things to ponder
1. Out of 100% of your time, how many percent do you give to God (include QT, going to church, going for cell activities)?
2. Then, how many percent of your time do you spend in your studies (include time in school), friends, family and hobbies? Give a percentage for each category clearly.
3. Do you think God approves of how you spend your time? Why?
4. Pray and commit to the Lord that you will seek Him first and the kingdom of God. Have a desire to give more time to God.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 39

Psalm 38

1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.

2 For your arrows have pierced me,
and your hand has come down upon me.

3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
my bones have no soundness because of my sin.

4 My guilt has overwhelmed me
like a burden too heavy to bear.

5 My wounds fester and are loathsome
because of my sinful folly.

6 I am bowed down and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.

7 My back is filled with searing pain;
there is no health in my body.

8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;
I groan in anguish of heart.

9 All my longings lie open before you, O Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from you.

10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me;
even the light has gone from my eyes.

11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;
my neighbors stay far away.

12 Those who seek my life set their traps,
those who would harm me talk of my ruin;
all day long they plot deception.

13 I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear,
like a mute, who cannot open his mouth;

14 I have become like a man who does not hear,
whose mouth can offer no reply.

15 I wait for you, O LORD;
you will answer, O Lord my God.

16 For I said, "Do not let them gloat
or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."

17 For I am about to fall,
and my pain is ever with me.

18 I confess my iniquity;
I am troubled by my sin.

19 Many are those who are my vigorous enemies;
those who hate me without reason are numerous.

20 Those who repay my good with evil
slander me when I pursue what is good.

21 O LORD, do not forsake me;
be not far from me, O my God.

22 Come quickly to help me,
O Lord my Savior.

As I read this psalm, I can't help but imagine the kind of emotions of King David when he wrote the psalm. Perhaps it could be just after he had sinned against God in the case of Bathsheba.

David pleaded with God throughout the whole psalm. He hoped that God will have mercy on him and lessen his afflictions and sufferings (the afflictions and sufferings were part of God's intended consequences).

What a plea. From now on, when I do sin against God, I need to go back to Psalm 38 and read again, and make the same prayer as David.


Things to ponder
1. Is there a particular sin that you're struggling with?
2. Confess and repent before the Lord right now. Use the words of Psalm 38 to confess to God.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 38

Psalm 37

1 Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;

2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.

11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.

12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;

13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.

15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.

16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;

17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.

18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever.

19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 But the wicked will perish:
The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
they will vanish—vanish like smoke.

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;

22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be cut off.

23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;

24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.

26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.

27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.

28 For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;

29 the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.

31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.

32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
seeking their very lives;

33 but the LORD will not leave them in their power
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34 Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,

36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
there is a future for the man of peace.

38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future of the wicked will be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

This is the Year of Sabbath. One of the key focus this year is "Reliance and Remembrance of the Lord". This means that when we do less, God will bless us with more.

On the surface, it doesn't sound logical at all. But to a Christian, it really means something. When we recognize that our God is the God of all, we can then believe that good things can happen, despite negative circumstances. Because God is overall I/C. He is in control.

Look at verse 4. "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."

This year, we just need to spend more time with Him and build a deeper r/s with Him. We can then find our delight in Him, and He will give us the things that we really desire - finances, relationships, peace, family, etc.

Then, take a look at verses 23 - 24. This time, the psalmist mentioned that when the Lord takes delight in a man, he will walk steadily; and though he may stumble, he will not fall.

Yes, we may make mistakes. We may sin against God in this year of Sabbath. But when we rely and remember the Lord, and grow close to Him, He will make sure that we won't sin bigtime against Him.


Personally, right now, even though January 2008 had just passed, I have seen God granting the desires of many of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Quite a few of them are now in courtships. Hallejuah!! What a breakthrough!! And really thank God they are all cell leaders and serving God fervently.

My own desire is to see my family saved. I really need to rely and remember the Lord by spending good quality time with Him daily.


Things to ponder
1. What are two desires that you have this year?
2. How has God bring about a breakthrough in the above two desires?
3. Pray and commit to the Lord that you will rely and remember Him this year, in everything you do.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 37

Psalm 36

1 An oracle is within my heart
concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God
before his eyes.

2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself
too much to detect or hate his sin.

3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;
he has ceased to be wise and to do good.

4 Even on his bed he plots evil;
he commits himself to a sinful course
and does not reject what is wrong.

5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.

6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find [b] refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.

9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

10 Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.

11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12 See how the evildoers lie fallen—
thrown down, not able to rise!

Remember we talked about FotL (Fear of the Lord) in Psalm 34 two days ago?

This time, Psalm 36 starts by describing the kind of people who doesn't have FotL - wicked people. Just look at verses 1 to 4. Basically, without FotL, a man will sound like this:

1. He is full of himself, always thinking that he is right. He is so proud that he is unable to recognise and acknowledge his weaknesses and sins, no matter what others tell him. - verse 2

2. His words are wicked and deceitful. He uses them to tear people down. He has the gift of discouragement. - verse 3a

3. He refuses to commit to doing good things that bless others. Self-centeredness is the guiding principle behind his life. - verse 3b

4. He is always plotting and thinking about how to benefit himself, at the expense of others. - verse 4a

5. He accepts, and even participates in things that he actually knows are wrong. Moral values become relative, and not absolutes. - verse 4b


Personally, I struggle with (5). Sometimes, I engage in coarse jokes (not dirty jokes!) and conversations with my friends. I know that these things are wrong, yet I still participated in them. I pray for God to forgive me, and help me not fall in this aspect again.


Things to ponder
1. Out of the 5 things mentioned, which is the one you struggled with the most? Elaborate.
2. How much do you desire to change the thing you have highlighted? Rate 0% to 100%.
3. Pray and commit to the Lord that you want to change.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 36

Psalm 35

1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.

2 Take up shield and buckler;
arise and come to my aid.

3 Brandish spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
"I am your salvation."

4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.

5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them away;

6 may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

7 Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,

8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.

10 My whole being will exclaim,
"Who is like you, O LORD ?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them."

11 Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.

12 They repay me evil for good
and leave my soul forlorn.

13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

14 I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.

15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
attackers gathered against me when I was unaware.
They slandered me without ceasing.

16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;
they gnashed their teeth at me.

17 O Lord, how long will you look on?
Rescue my life from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.

18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among throngs of people I will praise you.

19 Let not those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
let not those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.

20 They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.

21 They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it."

22 O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent.
Do not be far from me, O Lord.

23 Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.

24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God;
do not let them gloat over me.

25 Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!"
or say, "We have swallowed him up."

26 May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.

27 May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, "The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant."

28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness
and of your praises all day long.

One of the most painful thing that can happen to a person is betrayal. Many youths will call it backstabbing. Think about what David wrote in this psalm, from verses 12 to 16.

The people that he prayed and had compassion for actually gathered against him. It was really a betrayal. David's response was to come before the Lord and pour out his troubles. He trusted and believed that God was His vindicator, not men. As a result, even in such circumstances, he chose to praise the Lord.

How many of us can do that? When someone close to us betrayed us, will we praise God?


As I think about it, there were quite a few times in my life that I felt let down by people close to me. Sometimes, I just blamed God for what happened and became grouchy. That's not the right response. I should learn from David, and learn to let God take control.


Things to ponder
1. Recently, has a friend or any one close to you did something that hurt you? Elaborate briefly.
2. And recently, have you abused the trust of someone close to you? Elaborate briefly.
3. Pray for God to bless the person that has hurt you, and pray for God to bless the person whom you have hurt.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 35

Psalm 34

1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.

2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.

14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;

20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

As I meditate upon the psalm, one of the things that God spoke to me was regarding the fear of the Lord - FotL. Isn't it interesting? That the psalmist wrote this in verse 9: "Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing."

What exactly is FotL? I really don't think that I'm qualified enough to do a teaching on this. But I just want to share my own understanding, and hope that it will encourage us.

For a start, FotL has been repeatedly mentioned in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Hence, we really have to take FotL seriously.

I believe FotL can be taken to mean that we have a deep sense of reverence and love for God. So much so that we always want to please Him. Consequently, we will have this fear of displeasing Him, and avoid doing so at all cost. For instance, we know that God hates sins, and we avoid them so that we will not cause God to be displeased with us.


On top of that, I also think that FotL means we fear the Lord's discipline upon us. When we sinned against God, we will go through the dire consequences that God had set beforehand. Yes, we will be forgiven when we confess and repent, because of Jesus. But consequences are still there. This is important because we all have a sinful nature within us, and need some form of deterrence to prevent us from sinning repeatedly.

Futhermore, God absolutely hates sins. If there are no consequences when we sin, then it doesn't reflect God's standards and characteristics at all.


Sometimes, I really lack FotL. Especially when I'm so caught up with things at work or even at ministry. I may fear the world, fear man instead of fearing Him. I really need to pray that I will walk in the FotL evey single moment in my life, just like in Acts 9:31. God will provide me with everything I need. 100% guaranteed!!

I want to teach people FotL too - Psalm 34:11.


Things to ponder
1. How much do you fear the Lord? Rate yourself 1 to 10 (10 means fear Him a lot a lot).
2. What are two things that stop you from fearing God? Is it pride or other things? Elaborate.
3. Pray for FotL to be upon you all the days of your life.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 34

Psalm 33

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.

9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;

14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-

15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Some of us think that as long as we worship the Lord quietly in our hearts at the start of church service (during worship), He will be pleased with us. We believe that others are looking at us, and it's okay just to clap a bit here and there. No need to jump. That will be sufficient.

Is this train of thought aligned with what was written in the Bible? Let us examine.


Take for instance King David. In 2 Samuel 6:5, David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.

In the same chapter, verse 16 recorded that Michal, daughter of Saul despised David in her heart because she saw Him leaping and dancing before the Lord. God punished her for it.

Check out Psalm 33:1 - 3. The verses mentioned that we, as His people, really need to sing joyfully, make music to Him using musical instruments and shout for joy.

If the people of God have such an expressive way of worshipping Him so many years ago, shouldn't we be even more expressive now? When we worship God, let's lay aside all our pride, all our self-awareness and just focus on Him and give it all.

Worship God wholeheartedly. Sing! Dance! Shout!


Personally, I know that I sometimes can feel quite physically tired when it comes to church worship. But I always tell myself that I want to give God my best. And the thing that I pray for the most is that during worship, I will focus my heart on Him and not think about other issues.


Things to ponder
1. Do you think that you have given your best during worship - to sing, dance and shout before the Lord? Rate yourself from 1 to 10.
2. What is two things that stop you from singing, dancing and shouting before the Lord?
3. Pray and make a commitment before the Lord that you will give God the best during worship!

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 33