Bible Truth Daily Devotion

August 22, 2010

The Comfort of Familiarity

Filed under: Devotion in Psalm — Tags: , , , , , , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 1:00 am

Psalm 71

 

 

Going into a strange place, it would comfort us if we know that we have done something similar and had good result before. Life comprises of many different twists and turns and takes us into unfamiliar territory.  When we encounter difficulties, it is good to know that we have something reliable—the word of God.  Read on and discover this important truth.

 

Commentary:

Psalm 71:1-4.  The psalmist here proclaimed that he had taken refuge in the Lord.  He relied on the righteousness of God to save him (v. 2), and he followed God’s commandments (v. 3).  Here is an important truth: God’s commandments are there to save us.  It is not some arbitrary list of do and don’t.  Observance of God’s laws brings life; disobedience brings suffering and pain. 

Psalm 71:5-7. The psalmist recalled that God had been faithful in protecting him from his birth (v. 6) onto his youth (v. 5).  God had performed miracles in his life (v. 7).  The word marvel can also be interpreted as miracle. 

Psalm 71:8-11. The psalmist was now old and weak (v. 9).  His enemies were still plotting to destroy him (v. 10).  In his weakness or other reasons, they perceived that God had forsaken him (v. 11).

Psalm 71:12-13.  The psalmist came to God and asked for help (v. 12).  He was specific in the request of his deliverance (v. 13). 

Psalm 71:14-18.  The psalmist resolved to praise God with words and deeds (v. 14).  By his mouth, he would tell and declare God’s righteousness (vv. 15-16), God’s commandment (v. 17), and God’s power (v. 18).  By his action, he would enact the mighty deeds of the Lord (v. 16).

Psalm 71:19-21. The psalmist then moved to envision the deliverance.  He visualized that God would be praised (v. 19). His troubles would be an uplifting experience (v. 20) and an opportunity to increase his greatness and to comfort him (v. 21).

Psalm 71:22-23.  With the preceding vision, the psalmist burst into a joyous praise.  He would sing praises with the lyre.

 

Meditation:

The psalmist declares that God’s commandments are there to save him.  It is an important truth for all Christians.  Often we look at the commandments of God as something that Jesus has abolished.  If we recall, Jesus actually said that not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished (Matt 5:18).  The commandments of God are there and will be there because it is meant for our good.  If we do them, we will have life.  If we neglect them, we will have danger.  

For example, think about the commandment of adultery.  Not observing it will lead to all kinds of diseases and emotional pain.  The momentary happiness will bring pain and shame for years to come.  That commandment, like all other commandments, is there to protect us from those pain and shame.  

In addition to protecting us, the commandments also reveal the characters of God.  They are there for us to see what kind of God we worship.  They let us know what the Lord loves and hates.  The word of God also let us know what the Lord would do in different situations.  Therefore, familiarity of the word of God would help us participate in God’s plan and anticipate in God’s deliverance.  As we become intimate with God’s law, we can request ways of deliverance that is consistent to God’s will.

That should give us confidence in facing trial in life.  Trials are inevitable for Christians (James 1:2), but joyous attitude or despair is optional.  Judging from the psalmist, we can certainly have joy when we know that we will triumph and come out better at the end.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word.  We pray that we read it daily and meditate on it.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

July 31, 2010

The Life Pursuit

Filed under: Devotion in Psalm — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 12:01 am

Psalm 49

 

 

How much is the price of eternal life?  What is the life pursuit?  The answers to these questions and more are in the psalm. 

 

Commentary:

Psalm 49:1-2.  This is a psalm for all the people in the world.  It uses the merism device to emphasize the inclusiveness of everyone.   No matter if a person has a high or a low social status or if his possession is plenty or little, the psalm addresses every persons in the world.

Psalm 49:3-4. The psalm is a wisdom psalm, meant to teach people.  The psalmist is humble and says that he would attentively listen to wisdom at anytime himself.  He, being a minister of God, would also administer to others with what he received.

Psalm 49:5-6.  No doubt, we all would have days of uncertainty or trials.  At such time, the psalmist encourages us to stay focus on the main thing instead of the world.  The world uses the successes of the wicked as a poster boy; it entices and soothes us to follow the money and the prideful ways of the riches.

Psalm 49:7-10.  Realistically, no amount of money can buy the eternal life.  Heaven is a free gift; it cannot be earned nor is it deserved.  The Bible says that what good is it to a man if he earns the world but loses his life in the process (Matthew 16:26).  Whatever one makes and accumulates will be left behind for others.  Meanwhile, the person without the gift of eternal life will be suffering eternally.

Psalm 49:11-13.  Wisdom is not readily accepted by all though.  The rich and the prosperous would think of this world only.  Their idea of eternity is to leave their names on buildings, bridges, or some history books.  The psalmist reminds everyone that the life of even the strongest and the mightiest among us is a mere breath.  It does not last forever.

Psalm 49:14-15.  The life we know will soon past.  We will face eternity.  We either go to Sheol, a place of suffering, or are delivered by God in eternity.  There are only two consequences after this life. 

Psalm 49:16-20. With eternity firmly understood and planted in our mind, the psalmist encourages us that we should not focus on the riches of the world (v. 16) or the praises or kudos of this life (v. 18).  They are temporary and will pass away in a moment.

 

Meditation:

As the people of God read the psalmist’s words of wisdom, we should affirm our faith in Jesus Christ.  God did not save us from poverty of the world to become rich, although it happens to many Christians out from their new found work ethics from faith.  God did not save us from infamy to become rock stars of Christendom, although many Christians worship those leaders among us.  Instead God merely saves us from the eternal hell fire and gives us the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, His Son.

Let us, therefore, rededicate our vow in faith.  Firstly, we will switch from whatever we rely on for eternal life and depend only on Jesus and His work on the cross for salvation from the consequences of our sin.  Secondly, we avow anew that the resurrected Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of my life.  Thirdly, we let Jesus Christ reign in our life and let Him sit in the throne in our heart.  Lastly, we will repent and renounce sins in our life and follow God and His will. 

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder of what is most important in this life.  Let us focus on eternity while on earth.  Let us preach the good news of Jesus Christ to people around us.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

July 21, 2010

The Momentary Life

Filed under: Devotion in Psalm — Tags: , , , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 8:00 am

Psalm 39

 

 

Life is short.  In the big scheme of history, the seventy, eighty years of a person is mere dust.  In light of eternity, it is almost invisible.  For this perspective, David constructed this psalm to plead with God to forgive him. 

 

Commentary:

Psalm 39:1-2. The psalmist had a self-imposed gag order.  He would say nothing in front of good people or wicked folks.  His emotional pain was stirred up, which is what the phrase “my sorrow grew worse” means.  

Psalm 39:3.  In keeping silent, David was actively thinking or meditating.  He likely was aggravated by some pain, likely as a result of sin (v. 8), which led to some painful events in life (v. 10).    The process of meditation soon became consuming and compelled him to call out to God for the meaning of life. 

Psalm 39:5-6.  David’s request was quickly answered by God.  He recognized that life was merely a moment and was worthless in light of eternity.  Any epic accomplishment or a colossal fortune achieved by men is temporary. 

Psalm 39:7.  In light of that, the pursuit of men should be God.  He is forever, while we are only moment.  He is infinite, and we are limited.  He is our hope in the recognition of our worthlessness. 

Psalm 39:8-10: David’s sorrow was likely caused by the discipline from God as a result from sin.  That was why he kept silent.  He petitioned was that God would take away his reproach before unbelieving men, which was what the word foolish means.  David was concern that he would become a disgrace to God.  

Undoubtedly all sins committed by God’s people are a disgrace to God.  Essentially, sinning means that the grace of God was exchanged with and cheapened by lust.  Grace is the essence in the identity of God’s people.  In the absence of grace, there is no acceptance because none is good enough for God’s standard.  In light of this, how can we throw away the most precious part of our identity in exchange of some despicable, inferior, and momentary thrills?  Therefore, Christians should have tremendous pain for even sins only committed in thought.  But sins that have become public are more than a private, personal pain.  It brings shame to the name of our Lord.  The foolish would mock our Lord for our foolishness.  The name of our Lord suffers because of our indiscretion.  This is unfair to our Savior.  The name of our glorious Lord should be upmost in our consideration. 

David was also concern that he would die.  God’s discipline was severe.  As a result of God’s discipline, he was without strength and was near death (Psalm 38).

Psalm 39:12-13.  The word stranger in v. 12 should read sojourner, signifying the shortness of his life on earth.  Because his life was fleeting, David wanted God to remove his transgression and the consequence.  For the same reason, David wanted God to look past his sins.  The phrase “turn Your gaze away from me” was David’s petition for God to not look so intently on his wrongs. 

In the Old Testament age, the concept of the coming Savior was still a mystery.  Now in the New Testament age, we know Jesus has come to redeem us from sins.  Believers are now covered by the blood of Jesus and should no longer be fearful of the gaze of God.  The Heavenly Father looks at us and loves us like He loves His Son because we are all clothed with Christ (Gal 3:27).

 

Meditation:

Placing God first is the fundamental part of Christian walk.  Because the duration of life is short, we should make this life count.  Whatever we need to do, it is only momentary.  If we suffer for God, the pain will be short.  If we work tirelessly for our Lord, the duration will be fleeting.  If we build up the body of Christ through undivided devotion, the attention span is short.  Our opportunity to serve the Lord is fleeting.

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that we see the fleeting nature of our life.  Help us to have that undivided devotion to you, because your name is worthy to be praised. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

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