Psalm 65

The psalmist, David started the psalm by giving praise to God (verse 1-4) in 3 areas. 1. He praised God for hearing his prayers. 2. He praised God for forgiving his sins. 3. He praised God for allowing us to draw close to Him.

Then, David began to praise God for His power & might.

In the final third of the psalm, David described how God blessed the land with abundant crops. I could almost imagine endless rows of grains, corns, etc.

God always wants to bless us. He wants to give us success and prosperity - like in career and studies. And when we do receive all these blessings, do we remember Him?


I need to constantly remind myself to remember the Blesser (God, of course), and not just the blessings. That's why I want to peservere on in this 40 days' fast and pray, even though I'm in Malaysia now.


Things to ponder
1. What are some blessings in your life that God has given you? Name at least 3.
2. How are you doing in terms of remembering the Lord (spending time with Him) in this 40 days' fast and pray? Rate 1 to 10 (10 means very good).
3. Pray and commit to press on in this fasting & praying season. Go for intimacy with God!

Psalm 64

On the first day of my Malaysia trip, one of the places that the school stopped at was the Pandan Waterfalls. Being raised up as a urban person, I haven’t not seen many waterfalls. That was only the second one.

But when I saw the waterfalls, I was really awed by its beauty. I saw the water gushing down at high speeds. I saw the surrounding trees wavering in the wind. I saw the sunlight partially blocked.

It was a sight I would never forget. I began to thank God for His wonderful works. Just like the psalmist described in verse 9: “All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.”


Nature is really a place whereby I can find peace in God. I really want to spend time along beaches, sitting in parks, just enjoying the solace and serenity seldom found in urban life. I want to spend time with the Blesser (God) in His blessed creation of nature.


Things to ponder
1. When was the last time you took a break from your usual routine and spend time enjoying nature?
2. Are they too many things distracting you every time you want to spend time with God? List down a few.
3. Pray and allow God to take away the things distracting you, and find the rest and peace in Him by spending some time with Him in the wilds.

Psalm 63

As David wrote this psalm, I believe he was totally physically exhausted. He was thirsty in the desert of Judah (verse 1c). Despite this physical state of his, David could still remember the past goodness of God. He began to praise God & give thanks to Him.

He described His soul as being satisfied with the richest of food when he has deep fellowship with God.


In this season of fasting & praying, I knew that my body really craves for physical food during meal times. But this psalm really reminded me that above all, spiritual food is what that matters. I really want to fast a meal a day & deny my flesh. God, help me.


Things to ponder
1. How has the fasting being for you? Give a rating 1 to 10 (10 means it's great!)
2. What are some difficulties in fasting a meal a day? Give at least 2.
3. Pray & commit to the Lord. Ask of Him to satisfy you spiritually as you deny yourself physically.

Pastor YC "Psalm 62"

PS 62:1 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
PS 62:2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

PS 62:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
PS 62:6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

ALONE - Without others, Without help, Exclusively

In an insecure world, we tend to spread our risk, put our eggs in many different baskets so that one failure doesn't cause all our assets to crash. It is conventional wisdom, and wise indeed, because it speaks of the fact that these "legs" are not secure in themselves.

Yet in the scriptures, the Bible tells us that God ALONE is our rock and salvation

A ROCK does not have legs - security and stability rests on ITSELF.

1) We do not need to prop a rock up with additional legs - let's not put God on the altar with many other gods

2) We do not need to prop up a rock with additional legs - God does not need "help" in holding things up. Let's not fret and try to "help" him.

Let's rest in Him ALONE.

Psalm 62

1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4 They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah

9 Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.

10 Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.

11 One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,

12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.

Rest in the midst of Resistance

Earlier today, Pastor Khong preached from Psalm 62. And that was the title of his sermon.

He showed us from the psalm that there were 3 aspects of finding rest in the midst of resistance around us.

1. We need to have the Quiet Acceptance of His Covering.
From Psalm 62:1-2, we can see that it is only God ALONE who can give us true rest. And this can be so even in times of turmoil. For this to happen, God has to be the centre of our lives!

2. We need to have the Aggressive Assertion of His Control.
From Psalm 62:5-6, we realise that we have to speak to ourselves first before ourselves speak to us. Our inner self tend to be pessimistic. We have to command our souls to rest in God and trust that He is in control. It is like warfare!

3. We need to have the Unwavering Acknowledgement of His Character.
Finally, Psalm 62:11-12 reminds us of the character of God. He is STRONG and LOVING. He has the ability to help us, and He will.


Personally, I really think the only response possible is to come before God daily and chit-chat with Him. He really wants to spend time with me.


Things to ponder
1. Start spending time with God regularly. This is the best time to build intimacy with God. Pray a prayer of such nature!

Pastor YC: "Psalm 61: Lead me to the Higher Rock"

Picture from (http://lkirchner.de/alps/bergamo_alps/401_near_pizzo_di_petto.jpg)The Psalms very helpful in seeking God, because we get different glimpses of "who God is" so that we can seek Him.

There is a difference between the God "who is" & the God "we want". So unless the Holy Spirit leads and guides us through the scriptures to reveal to us who God is, we will not head in the right direction when we "seek" Him.

A higher rock, a tent of refuge, a strong tower.

Who is God to you?

(Personally I've been meditating on "rock higher than I". Personal failure to seek God shows that deep down inside somewhere, I trust myself more than God. I'm reflecting on when and how I've become the "higher rock")

Psalm 61

1 Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.

2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Selah

5 For you have heard my vows, O God;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Increase the days of the king's life,
his years for many generations.

7 May he be enthroned in God's presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

8 Then will I ever sing praise to your name
and fulfill my vows day after day.

I'm not entirely sure about the context of this psalm. But David's plea to God was really quite touching. Verse 2: "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Brokenness is the buzzword in FCBC now. The key to spiritual health, as what Pastor Khong put it last Sunday, is brokenness. Brokenness, in my opinion, is recognizing there's nothing good in each of our hearts. Given a choice, each of us will rather do things to satisfy our own desires.

But when we come before God in humility and ask of Him, He will change our heart. Ezekiel 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. "

Ask of God today to lead you to the Rock that is way higher than yourself. Be broken before Him.


Personally, I think I'm really beginning to realise that all I can accomplish before God counts to nothing if I'm not broken. Every day, I would wake up with a prayer to God, praying for His guidance and wisdom.

God, I can't do it alone.


Things to ponder
1. How would you rate yourself in terms of dependence on God? (Rate 1 to 10, 10 means very much dependent!)
2. What is one incident in your life that causes you to lose faith in yourself, and yet at the same time, gain faith in God?
3. Pray for a broken and contrite heart right now. Stop doing things with your own strength.

Pastor YC "Psalm 60: God over the Nations"

Psalm 60:6-10
God has spoken from his sanctuary: "In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter. Moab is my washbasin, upon Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph."

Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?

In a region where the fight for control of land dominated much of history, it is especially significant that God says HE is the one that "parcels out the land".

It is also significant that the psalmist acknowledges that God is not only in control of the lands of Israel (Shechem, Succoth etc), but also the lands that are beyond Israel (Edom & "fortified city").

But the conclusion of this is that God is sovereign and in control:

PS 60:11 Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.
PS 60:12 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Not all of us are worrying about national territories, but if God is sovereign over those "big concerns", He must be sovereign over our "lesser concerns".

Sleep well even in war :)

Psalm 60

1 You have rejected us, O God, and burst forth upon us;
you have been angry-now restore us!

2 You have shaken the land and torn it open;
mend its fractures, for it is quaking.

3 You have shown your people desperate times;
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.

4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner
to be unfurled against the bow.
Selah

5 Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.

6 God has spoken from his sanctuary:
"In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
and measure off the Valley of Succoth.

7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet,
Judah my scepter.

8 Moab is my washbasin,
upon Edom I toss my sandal;
over Philistia I shout in triumph."

9 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?

10 Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?

11 Give us aid against the enemy,
for the help of man is worthless.

12 With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.

I found the last two verses of the psalm inspiring.

The psalmist recognized that God is the One that will help him gain the victory against his enemies, not man. He trusted the Lord with all his heart. That really demonstrated TOTAL DEPENDENCE.

I can still remember the times when I was a young Christian in NUS. Just before every exam, I would always spend time with my friends discussing last minute stuff. It seemed as if I trusted their help more than God's.


Today, as a slightly more mature Christian, I began to lean more on God for support & help. When there's an important event in my life, I'll sms my spiritual family to pray. I myself will pray too. Really thank God for changing me.


Things to ponder
1. In what ways do you show that you trust God during your exams?
2. In what ways do you show that you don't trust God at all during your exams?
3. Pray and commit to God all the important events in your life - not just exams.

Pastor YC "Psalm 59: Names of God"

A scan at the names used by the psalmist to describe God reveals His nature:

Strength (v9, 17); Loving (v10,17); Shield (v11); Fortress (v9, 16); Refuge (v16)

V16 sums it all up:

PS 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

It takes a while, but take time to let the names of God impact you and me. The God who is loving and strength (at the same time). He whom I use (as a shield) to block off attacks and the fortress in whch I hide when enemies surround.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how much of each of these "characteristics" of God have we experienced?

Pastor YC "Psalm 58: Justice of Rulers vs Justice of God"

Ps 58 begins by questioning whether the earthly rulers speak JUSTLY and judge UPRIGHTLY:

PS 58:1 Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge uprightly among men?

It ends with an affirming God's JUSTICE and JUDGMENT:

PS 58:11 Then men will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth."

As I move in the competitive circles of school sports, I am constantly reminded of how important it is for earthly rulers (such as referees) to uphold justice and carry out their duties with a sense of integrity.

Everything in the game of basketball hinges on how well they referee a game. As with most experienced players and coaches, we can accept imperfections and mistakes in judgments. However, it's hard to tolerate biasness.

In those times when I feel cheated, I can look to the ULTIMATE JUDGE of all. On this sie of heaven there will never be perfect justice. Yet when Christ comes again, there will never be any more injustice - because He RULZ.

How does one go through all the injustice and continue without taking part in it?
Know the God of Justice and trust that ultimately He is in control!

Do you know Him?

Psalm 59

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
protect me from those who rise up against me.

2 Deliver me from evildoers
and save me from bloodthirsty men.

3 See how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce men conspire against me
for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD.

4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
Arise to help me; look on my plight!

5 O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
show no mercy to wicked traitors.
Selah

6 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.

7 See what they spew from their mouths—
they spew out swords from their lips,
and they say, "Who can hear us?"

8 But you, O LORD, laugh at them;
you scoff at all those nations.

9 O my Strength, I watch for you;
you, O God, are my fortress, 10 my loving God.
God will go before me
and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

11 But do not kill them, O Lord our shield,
or my people will forget.
In your might make them wander about,
and bring them down.

12 For the sins of their mouths,
for the words of their lips,
let them be caught in their pride.
For the curses and lies they utter,

13 consume them in wrath,
consume them till they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
that God rules over Jacob.
Selah

14 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.

15 They wander about for food
and howl if not satisfied.

16 But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.

17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you;
you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

As I read Psalm 59, two particular verses caught eye. Verses 6 and 14 are identical. "They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city."

God then reminded me that what follows after each of these verses are characteristics of people that God is displeased with.

1) God is displeased with people who use words to cut down or condemn others. Verse 7: "See what they spew from their mouths — they spew out swords from their lips, and they say, "Who can hear us?"

2) God is displeased with people who go about satisfying their desires with their own strength, and when they can't do it, they begin to blame God. Verse 15: "They wander about for foodand howl if not satisfied."


As a teacher, sometimes, I can be using words that may hurt the feelings of the students. I really pray that I will only use words to affirm and build students up. God, please grant me patience and love for my students, no matter the situation.


Things to ponder
1. How positive are the words that you usually speak? Rate yourself 1 to 10 (1o means most positive!).
2. What are some desires in your heart that you know God doesn't approve of?
3. Pray and ask God to help you change in the two above-mentioned areas.

Psalm 58

1 Do you rulers indeed speak justly?
Do you judge uprightly among men?

2 No, in your heart you devise injustice,
and your hands mete out violence on the earth.

3 Even from birth the wicked go astray;
from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.

4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

5 that will not heed the tune of the charmer,
however skillful the enchanter may be.

6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
tear out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions!

7 Let them vanish like water that flows away;
when they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted.

8 Like a slug melting away as it moves along,
like a stillborn child, may they not see the sun.

9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns—
whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.

10 The righteous will be glad when they are avenged,
when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.

11 Then men will say,
"Surely the righteous still are rewarded;
surely there is a God who judges the earth."

Because of our sinful nature, there's always this tendency in us to abuse our power when we are placed in high positions of authority. As some might have heard of this, power corrupts.

Every one of us is perfectly capable of abusing our power so as to satisfy our own selfish desires. David described this abuse clearly in Psalm 58:1-5. And ironically, when David became king, he actually abused his power to gain Bathsheba and murder Uriah.

I really believe that God will place Christians in key positions of companies, ministries, banks, governments, etc. If they learn to obey God in humility, He will surely reward them - Psalm 58:11.


Things to ponder
1. Has God given you any kind of leadership position before?
2. Did you abuse your authority or power? List out 1 example.
3. Pray for God to bring about godly leaders into your midst. And pray also you will obey God wholehearted when you are given key positions.

Psalm 57

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.

3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
Selah
God sends his love and his faithfulness.

4 I am in the midst of lions;
I lie among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.
Selah

7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.

8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.

10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

In Psalm 57, David described himself as being trapped and surrounded by his enemies. Look at verse 4 "I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts — men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords".

Yet, in the midst of all the negative circumstances, David chose to 1) cry out to God and admit that he needed His help, and 2) praise God with all his heart to everyone around him.


Very often, when I'm trapped in a bad situation, I tend to complain to God. I even sometimes blame Him for what happened. I really need to follow the example of David - to cry out to God and praise Him even if the world comes crashing down!


Things to ponder
1. When was the last time you cry out to God for mercy? Why did you do it?
2. When was the last time you gave your all in praising God? Why did you do it?
3. Pray and commit to God that in every situation, crying out to God is our first option, and not last resort.