Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."

3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.

6 He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.

Verse 5 and 6 are the verses that spoke to me clearly.

As you obey God's commands and serve Him with all your heart, there will surely be times when you have to make decisions that cost you something. But because of God's faithfulnesses, He will never short-change you.

He will give you good things beyond what you ask for.

I was once given the chance to represent Singapore in bridge (a card game). It was certainly something of prestige. However, I was also a new cell leader at that time. Honestly, I can't cope with both bridge training and being a good cell leader. One thing had to go.

I made the decision to drop out of the bridge team. It was a difficult decision, but I wanted to concentrate being a good cell leader. Upon looking back, I believe that it was a worthwhile sacrifice. Though I never represented Singapore, I saw the lives of my cell members changed. I think that's all that matters.


I hope that I will always make the decision that will honour God the most.


Things to ponder
1. Have you ever done something that costs you something, but honour God? Tell us more.
2. Make a conscious effort to say YES to God, and NO to the world. Pray and commit to it if you're willing.

Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.

4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.

5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the LORD will banish with the evildoers.
Peace be upon Israel.

I really like the first verse of this psalm: "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. " The Chinese idiom that comes to my mind is
稳如泰山 - which means you're as stable as Mount Tai (a famous mountain in China).

When a person trusts God 100%, he will be extremely stable. He will still have bad times in life, but he will learn to see things in God's perspective. He won't be easily shaken by external circumstances. Even the people around him look up to him for strength and stability.

Are you such a person? I'm definitely not. I'm still quite far away. When things sometimes go wrong, I will be in a frenzy, not knowing what to do. But at least, I know that I want to become such a person.


O Lord, help me to become such a person. Help me to trust you with all the things in my life. Help me to turn to You when things go wrong. Help me become a pillar of strength in my family and in my school.


Things to ponder
1. Are you a stable person? Do your emotions run up and down frequently? Rate yourself 1 to 10(10 means most stable).
2. Recall an incident when you really lost your cool and was shakened because something went wrong.
3. With the same incident in mind, what would happen if a person who trusts God 100% went through the same thing as you? How would he have reacted differently?
4. Pray for a desire to become a person who trusts in the Lord 100%

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 If the LORD had not been on our side—
let Israel say-

2 if the LORD had not been on our side
when men attacked us,

3 when their anger flared against us,
they would have swallowed us alive;

4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,

5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird
out of the fowler's snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

If the Lord had not been on my side when I was in NS, when my instructors were prejudiced against me, I would have being injured severly and not be able to pass my specialist course.

If the Lord had not been on my side when I was in NUS, when I was constantly busy doing things to fulfill my selfish desires, I would have become a totally self-centred person.

If the Lord had not been on my side when my grandpa was dying, he wouldn't have given his life to Jesus on his deathbed.


Praise be to God.


Things to ponder
1. Write something similar to the structure of the first half of Psalm 124. You can write one or two paragraphs.

Psalm 123

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you whose throne is in heaven.

2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he shows us his mercy.

3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us,
for we have endured much contempt.

4 We have endured much ridicule from the proud,
much contempt from the arrogant.

What do you do when your (unreasonable) boss or colleague make nasty/sarcastic remarks at you? Or if you're a student, what do you do when your friends or teacher make unfair/piercing remarks at you?

This is not a perfect world. We're bound to meet people who are not nice. For me, it was during National Service. I met an instructor who would always fault me and punish me. I have another instructor who would physically beat the trainees up.

I wished I had known Jesus then. Because I can do what the psalmist say: to lift my eyes to Jesus whose throne is in heaven. I can find comfort and refuge in Him.


But then again, upon looking back, Jesus was there all along too, even though I didn't know Him then. He protected me from any permanent harm or injury. I even managed to pass the course.


Things to ponder
1. Have you encountered situations when others make hurtful/unfair remarks at you? What happened?
2. How has God helped you in those situations?
3. Pray and forgive the person who have hurt you. Pray also that you will look to Jesus every time you meet not-so-nice people.

Psalm 122

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."

2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, O Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.

4 That is where the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD,
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.

5 There the thrones for judgment stand,
the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you be secure.

7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels."

8 For the sake of my brothers and friends,
I will say, "Peace be within you."

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.

As we are now in the 2nd focus of the year: Rebuilding and Restoring Relationships, it's really divine that Psalm 122 really talks about doing things together.

For instance, let us go to the house of the Lord - v1; Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem - v2; That is were the tribes go up - v4.

The last two verses also remind us to do things for the sake of our brothers and friends.

The question that comes to my mind is "What can I do to make another brother succeed?"


Pastor YC has laid down 3 simple steps for us.
1. When someone slips, restore him gently.
2. When someone is overloaded, carry each other's burden.
3. Everyone has to do his part.


Things to ponder
1. How is your r/s with the rest of the members in the cell? Rate 1 to 10 (10 means very good).
2. Can you think of some things you can do to bless another brother/sister?
3. Pray and ask God for a heart to make your cell brother/sister succeed.

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

In case you're wondering, God doesn't rest or work part-time. He watches over every one of us 24/7. He protects us ALL the time, without fail.

When things go wrong, it is easy for us to think that maybe God made a mistake and wasn't looking. But it is clear that in Psalm 121, that is not true.

God is the best insurance for you and I. We need to put our absolute security in Him, and not on things of the world. If bad things happened, we have to trust that God has a purpose in allowing us to experienced them - even if we don't understand with our human minds. After all, the Lord said this in Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. "


Lord, help me to always remember (especially when I'm down) that You are my protector, and You will give me the best.

Psalm 120

A song of ascents.

1 I call on the LORD in my distress,
and he answers me.

2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips
and from deceitful tongues.

3 What will he do to you,
and what more besides, O deceitful tongue?

4 He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom tree.

5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!

6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.

7 I am a man of peace;
but when I speak, they are for war.

The psalmist was obviously crying out to the Lord to punish the wicked around him. They have slandered him with words (v2). He spoke with confidence that the Lord will surely answer his prayer (v4).

Many of us have felt betrayed and accused before. But how many of us would turn to God when that happens? I too have taken matters in my own hands before and hit back using my own strength - sinning in my anger.

No, I think as Christians, we should pray and surrender every accusation to the Lord.

Hence, each of us is to be called a Man of Peace (v7), even though we dwell in a fallen world. We have to make peace with those who slander us. We have to make peace with those who accuse us. We have to make peace with those who are not lovable. We have to make peace with .. basically, everyone.

It's only possible by God's grace. We need Him.


Upon reflection, I really have trouble being a man of peace in my school, especially in the classrooms. I tend to hit back (sometimes quite angrily) with comments against students. O Lord, help me to be a man of peace who can bring peace into the class!


Things to ponder
1. How's your relationship with people in school or workplace generally? Rate from 1 to 10 (very good).
2. What are some incidents in your school or workplace that can cause you to lose your cool?
3. Pray and ask God to make you a man of peace - someone who brings peace to the people around you.

Pastor YC "Psalm 119: God Spoke"

(I read all of it! 22 x 8 = 176 verses)

PS 119:98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.
PS 119:99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
PS 119:100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

I remember the times when I stood in front of crowds (many of whom are more accomplished in the marketplace compared to me), speaking about my conviction regarding pornography and cyber wellness. I just spoke the TRUTH regarding "lust of the eyes". You could hear the hush - everybody was listening...

• Standards so high compared to norms of the world (I must have sounded like John the Baptist).
• I am not highlighting my speech, I am highlighting the powerful word of God.

It was exactly because these principles and values for living are already clearly outlined in the Bible that I could just say it out with conviction. We do not need to test/prove everything in order to ascertain that it is true. God's word is truth and we will take all our lifetimes to find out the scientific/psychological/sociological explanations for all these patterns and values.

The eternal wisdom contained in God's word!

PS 119:89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
PS 119:90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
PS 119:91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

We may not agree or be convinced, but it's true anyway.

PS 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Psalm 119

Click here to read Psalm 119 online. If not, just open a Bible and read.

This is indeed the longest chapter in the whole of the Bible - 176 verses in all. I confess that I had difficulties reading the psalm. I would fidget here and there and get distracted. But thankfully, I still managed to finish reading the psalm twice - once in the morning, and once at night.

It's really interesting how God used the longest chapter in the Bible to teach us the importance of reading His word. The word 'word' was repeated 30 times in this psalm alone.

This 'word' refer to the things that God speak to us. And one clear way that He speaks to us is through the Bible. I think that's why the Bible is often referred to as God's word.

When you have God's word in your hearts,
1. You can live a pure life (v9, 11).
2. You can overcome every sorrow and be strengthened (v28).
3. You can have hope in God's laws (v43).
4. You can have a clear direction in life (v105).
... (and many more)

How then can we have God's word in our hearts? I think that there are 3 things we can do.

Firstly, we must Know His Word. (Read the Bible, memorize scriptures, etc.)
Secondly, we must Take Delight in His Word. (Enjoy reading the Bible daily!)
Lastly, we must Apply His Word in our Lives! (Apply spiritual truths practically.)


Things to ponder
1. Have you been faithful in reading the book of Psalms? Rate yourself 1 to 10!
2. What are some difficulties in reading Psalms?
3. Pray and commit to reading the rest of the psalms. Only 31 more to go!!
4. Pray and ask God to teach you how to apply 1 spiritual truth (from the Bible) in your daily life.

Pastor YC "Psalm 118: It is BETTER"

PS 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
PS 118:9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

PS 118:10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
PS 118:11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
PS 118:12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

PS 118:13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.

Today I reflected upon this segment of the psalm to trust in the name of the Lord. In good times, the disciplines of prayer & tithing are so important to the develop dependence upon God. It is so important to have that daily devotion regardless of schedule. We must make it FUNDAMENTAL to our lives. Else in troubled times, all our "true life buoys" will kick in.

118 days into reading a psalm a day, I've learnt that it is a discipline that must be:
1) Committed (incidental delight will not work)
2) Persistent (150 days is excellent - I used to read that 40 days is guaranteed to break a habit)

32 days more - I certainly hope it will not be my last. I think we have to aim to go further, not just to finish 150. :)

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

2 Let Israel say:
"His love endures forever."

3 Let the house of Aaron say:
"His love endures forever."

4 Let those who fear the LORD say:
"His love endures forever."

5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and he answered by setting me free.

6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.

9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.

10 All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

11 They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

12 They swarmed around me like bees,
but they died out as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.

14 The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.

15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
"The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!

16 The LORD's right hand is lifted high;
the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"

17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

18 The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

20 This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.

21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;

23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 O LORD, save us;
O LORD, grant us success.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.

27 The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Everyday when we wake up, do we always rejoice that that is the day that the Lord has made? And we will be glad in it? That was what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 118:24.

Whether you're a Christian or not, life is never a bed of roses all the time. There will be times when you face tremendous struggles and challenges - like what the psalmist describe in v10-13. You will feel helpless, surrounded by enemies, etc. But you can always overcome in the name of the Lord.

Throughout the darkest moments in your life, the Lord was with you. And He will be with you in future struggles. What can man do to you if God is on your side (v6)?


I want to wake up each day praising the Lord for the day, despite knowing that I will face challenges of life. Because God is good all the time, and He will bring me through every struggle. All praises to God!!


Things to ponder
1. What is one of the darkest moment in your life?
2. How did you get out of the darkest moment? How did God help you?
3. Pray and praise God for every day in your life. Be thankful!

Psalm 117

1 Praise the LORD, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.

2 For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.

This is the shortest chapter in the whole Bible, and the shortest psalm in the book of Psalms. Nevertheless, this is an inspired word from the Lord.

Verse 1 reminds us that the Lord's heart is for ALL the nations to worship Him and praise Him. Not just the Israelites, not just Singaporeans, not just the rich - but everyone!

What are we doing to help bring the gospels to various nations of the world? Some of us may be called to be missionaries. Praise God. Some of us may be called to contribute financially to world-wide missions. Praise God. Some of us may write articles or books to tell other nations about God. Praise God.


My point is this: God's heart is for ALL the nations. We have to do something to help advance His kingdom. There must be something that you and I can do. At the very least, we can pray for other nations. Personally, I want to learn to pray daily for the nation of China. That God's kingdom will come in China.


Things to ponder
1. What have you been doing to share the gospels with other nations?
2. What do you intend to do from now on (with regards to world missions)?
3. Pray and commit to the Lord what you've mentioned. So that ALL the nations will praise Him.

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.

2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

4 Then I called on the name of the LORD :
"O LORD, save me!"

5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.

6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.

7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.

8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,

9 that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.

10 I believed; therefore I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."

11 And in my dismay I said,
"All men are liars."

12 How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.

14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.

16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
you have freed me from my chains.

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.

18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.

From reading the psalm, we know that God has just rescued the psalmist from certain death (v8-9). And the psalmist's response is "How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?" - v12.

That's gratefulness. That's thankfulness.

Christians has this tendency (or rather, sinful nature) to forget what the Lord has blessed us with. We often focus too much on the blessings, and not the blesser - God. We can become so caught up with our blessings and neglect our time with God.

Back to the question on how to repay the Lord. I think one good way is to fulfill our vows that we have made before the Lord - v14 and v18. And to fulfill them in the presence of other Christians. One example is the marriage vows. For those who are married, keep the marriage vows and be a role model for others.


There are things that I've promised the Lord I'd do it, but I haven't. One example is prayerwalking my school. Lord, help me fulfill my vows that I've made to You.


Things to ponder
1. What vows or promises have you made to God and have fulfilled them? Name at least 1.
2. What vows or promises have you made to God and have NOT fulfilled them? Name at least 1.
3. Pray for yourself to say what you mean and mean what you say before God. Pray also to fulfill the vow you've mentioned in Q2.

Pastor YC "Psalm 115: Trust the Creator, not the Created Things"

The Created Things

PS 115:8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

Idols which are placed at will by the worshippers, insurance policies that are created by men, jobs, houses, relationships, titles, successes.


The Creator

PS 115:9 O house of Israel, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield.
PS 115:10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield.
PS 115:11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield.

Tomorrow I am preaching at a baptism service - this will be the second time I am doing it. By my own standards, the first time was quite disastrous. I actually feel quite nervous about it.

I can trust in my ability, preparation, charisma and whatever else. But I know it will be ultimately God who alone will see me through it.

God ALONE is TOTALLY sufficient.