A Devotional Life

Psalm 121. [ESV] What do you do when you need help? Psalm 121 is a song of ascent - these are psalms sung by worshippers on their way up to Jerusalem. (Historical context of the writing was during the time of Judean exile by Babylon. So, written to encourage pilgrims of a future of hope.) And the psalmist begins: I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? On this journey up to Jerusalem, the Psalmist looks to the distant hill of Jerusalem where the Temple was and perhaps gazes in hope from a distance. But ultimately, he comes to a conviction of God's present help: My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He affirms that God is as present in his journey as He is in the destination. My help comes from the LORD! I think of a recent testimony a friend shared about when he needed to decide about university. At first...

Isaiah 9:1-7. Out of the ashes, from a very dark place in the history of Israel (nearly 800BC, Assyrian captivity) came a word of hope. Usually, God would send His rescue government through a priest (Moses) or a judge (Deborah) or a king (David). But this time, He had a bigger, better plan - to send His Son Jesus for us (John 3:16) who fulfils these promises in us. Promise: A hope, spiritual and physical (v2-5): v2 Salvation (darkness to light) v3 The Holy Spirit (increased joy) v4 Freedom v5 Justice Promise: A relationship to demonstrate His sovereignty and love. Where He calls us in fellowship by His Spirit to experience His wonder and might (transcendence), but also His everlasting love and peace (immanence). (v6) Promise: An everlasting government because His office is perfect - He is a Priest, who is a Judge, who is a King and who is God. W...

Psalm 46. Imagine this long psalm, sung in Soprano (alamoth) just to catch one's attention, to communicate a key truth: God is always with His children. God is with us! 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see what the Lord has do...

Romans 5:1-5. In a world of uncertainty, shifting opinions, and personal trials, what enables a believer to remain steady? Paul gives us the answer in our passage today. We stand in these ways: Stand in grace (v1-2). Our standing does not begin with our strength, but with our justification (v1). Through Jesus, we have been declared righteous. We are no longer enemies of God but reconciled to Him. Peace with God becomes the foundation beneath our feet. We do not stand on emotions, achievements, or circumstances. We stand on grace. Verse 2 says,“Through [Christ] we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand”. Grace is not merely the doorway into salvation; it is the ground we continue to stand on. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God because our future is secure. The believer’s confidence is not fragile, it rests on Christ’s finis...