A Devotional Life

Psalm 133:1-3. [Series on: The Blessed] Have you ever gone to a place before and thought, gush, that place or people is so full of life–in a good way? That’s how David, the writer of the passage, describes God’s people living in unity—the Church. Verse 1 says it is good and pleasant, and verse 3b says God blesses it. We see this pattern in the first creation story, where God says that creation is good and then blesses it (Genesis 1:21–22). So, God’s people living in unity here is a creation story—a new creation. Verses 2–3a show that this new creation is good because of a relationship involving one head—symbolised by Aaron’s head (v2) and a high mountain, Mount Hermon (v3b). This new creation is blessed because of the head above it. The New Testament tells us that this new creation of God’s people with one head is called the Church (1 Peter 2:10, Ephesians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 12:27). The head is Christ, fr...

Psalm 91 [short series]. The Psalm is not only an assurance of God's refuge in this life but also a sermon of hope - a hope for a trouble-free, satisfying next life. The Psalmist describes the next life in the context of sight, what you will see. It's like sightseeing in a place with a restricted area, where you need a pass to get into. He mentions two sights: judgment (v8) and salvation (v16). And, for those in God's refuge, their sightseeing ends with salvation into a satisfying life. His Refuge is complete into the next life! Psalm 91:7-10, 16 So, two sights... You will see judgment (v7-10) Verse 7 begins by alluding to troubles in thousands falling around you but not coming near you. Does this mean if you trust God, no evil will befall you? Well, yes and no! It's an issue of timing - this life or the next life. Let's see how the Psalm unpacks this prom...

Psalm 91 [short series]. As we journey through life, sometimes we go through troubles beyond our control — an addiction, sudden financial lack, sickness, broken relationship, losing a loved one, a hope deferred. How do we navigate those seasons? Or maybe you are currently in such a season and wondering, "How do I live through this?" Previously [1] [2] , we saw that God's refuge is guaranteed. The Psalm also shows the completeness of God's refuge as a reason for how we can navigate the seasons of life. His Refuge is complete through this life! Psalm 91:3-6, 13 God rescues you from troubles you can't handle and takes care of the root of all problems—Satan himself. His refuge deals with: Sin: snare of the fowler (v3, 11-12) Snares are traps used to catch animals, often made with something enticing or luring, like a cheese trap for a mouse...

Psalm 91 [short series]. Have you ever been in a long season of trouble that made you wonder whether it is God's will to rescue you? Are you presently in such a season? The Psalmist not only shows us that God is mighty to save (He can) but also that He desires to save. In the Psalm, God guarantees His refuge by His Promise (He will). His Refuge is guaranteed by His Promise! Psalm 91:4, 14-16 God's refuge is guaranteed because He has promised that He will. See how much God says “I will” in v14-16. But I’m sure we have all experienced people in power and their promises. Like a Member of Parliament (MP) once said to another MP, "All your party is known for are empty promises". To which this MP responded, "At least you find the word promises in our dictionary". So, we often find people with the power to help untrustworthy. But it’s not so with God! We see...

Psalm 91 [short series]. Psalm 91 is a commonly known Psalm that often raises doubts (e.g. Does it really apply to our present realities?), gets misinterpreted (e.g. If you trust God, no trouble will come to you) or gets undermined (e.g. It’s all a metaphor). But the message in the Psalm is such a profound encouragement to keep trusting in God because of the kind of refuge that only He can provide. As we will see in a 4 part study, the Psalm shows us why God is the only refuge you can trust (v2), and this is because: His refuge is guaranteed By His greatness: He can. v1, 11-12 By His promise: He will. v4, 14-16 His refuge is complete Through this life. v3-6, 13 Into the next life. v7-10, 16 His Refuge is guaranteed by His Greatness! Psalm 91:1, 11-12 He can always rescue! T...

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, he was uncertain of what to do. So...

Psalm 139:7-12. Playing hide and seek with little kids is really fun. When I would play it with my friend's kids, they would hide next to a small plant in the garden and close their eyes tightly. And because the plant is too small, their shoes, arms and head remain visible, but they feel unseen because their eyes are tightly closed. Similarly, there are times in life when we feel "unseen" to others and perhaps God (Psalm 102:1-2). From the passage, the Psalmist recounts that God knows us intimately. He knows our words, thoughts, and ways (v1-4). He knows how often I get up to make a cup of tea. He is acquainted with all my ways (v3). But this is more than transcendent knowledge. He intimately journeys through life with us by His Holy Spirit - v7. Whether in heaven or even in the grave (Sheol) - v8 He is there in the unseen. ...

Psalm 133. Back at uni when I was in CU (Christian Union) I recall having interesting ‘how did you come to faith?’ conversations like: “I was looking for accommodation and some CU students took me in…”, “a bunch of CU students took me on a city tour…”, “I was invited for the CU pizza party…” … The impact of unity! The Psalmist describes the beauty of God’s people dwelling together in unity. Unity is an act of worship, it glorifies God. Like oil.. on Aaron. In v2 the psalmist compares unity to an important old testament act of worship - which is the consecration of priests. The consecration was done by anointing priests with oil, unto service to God and His people, before they can perform their priestly duties, like atonement for the people. Exodus 29:7. Like any act of worship, unity is important to God, it glorifies Him. Unity creates an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to work t...

Psalm 136. When I think of allocating time to a to-do list, I think more about spending time on "getting things done" and not on things that are already done. But making time for reflection can be very peaceful, as well as productive, and also create space for thanksgiving - which is God's will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and an act honouring to God (Psalm 50:23). In the passage in Psalm 136, the Psalmist models a kind of thanksgiving that can be very helpful in expressing our deep gratitude to God: He begins by thanking God for His good and loving nature, His sovereign nature, His wonder, His power and creativity (v1-9) - a good way to set our hearts on God. He tells a story - of specific moments of God's goodness to people (Israel - v11,14; his people - v16; his servant - v22) and of personal experiences of God's goodness (us - v23,24; every creature - v25). All through, he recognises that God's love/ mercy endures in every season of life (v1...

Psalm 65. If God had a grocery list, I think Psalm 65 would be it. The only contrast between His list and our typical shopping list is that ours portray our needs, but God's list portrays his abundant supply to ALL needs. All needs: we are cared for – forgiven, restored and blessed (v2-5). The land and streams are cared for (v9), also the crops (v10), the wilderness, the hills (v12), the flocks (v13), all cared for and partaking in His abundant supply; "You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance." (v11) A friend of mine puts it this way: if we can all chill long enough [haha], we will find something to be thankful for. It looks like the Universe chills long enough every day to find something (rather, everything) to be thankful (rather, singing) for. And we're welcome to join in. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. (v8) What are you thankf...

Psalm 8. In the passage, the Psalmist reminds us of the majesty of God in creation, and the glorious inheritance we have through the cross of Jesus. v2 You have ordained strength to the weak in order to silence the enemy. v3-5 You have ordained (crowned) glory and honour to man (much more than you ordained to other works of your hands) in order to demonstrate your love (how ‘mindful' you are for us). v6-8 You have ordained (made to have) dominion in order to show the majesty of your cross (because you have put all things under his feet). And for Your bloody, wonderful, glorious cross - which defeated Your enemies (including death), demonstrated Your love for us, and caused us to reign as co-heirs with Christ (Eph 1:18-23), we say O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth! Reflect & Pray What change has the cross of Jesus made ...

Psalm 20. I read an Our Daily Bread (ODB) post by Amy Peterson , a while back, which blessed me, it was a great encouragement to trust in God. Recently, I was reminded of how battles were won in the Bible - it was through trusting God. The victory was not based on the preparations - though important, but on the "trust in the name of the LORD our God" (as David recalls in Psalm 20:7). It became a God pattern: God gives Gideon victory with 300 men, rather than 32000. Judges 7:2 God gives Joshua victory by soldiers and priests marching around Jericho. Joshua 6. God gives David victory over Goliath by the name of the Lord and a stone. 1 Samuel 17:45. And there is one, about a scared king who in the face of battle appointed men "to praise the Lord because of His glory and holiness." God showed up, God fought for them, but more than that, from the spoils of victor...

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 done, the desol...