The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
(Psalm 9:9-10)
David remembers that God is still God over all. He is sovereign. David had a kind of absolute trust in God. He knew that God would deliver him. He knows that God will lift him up and God will judge his enemies. However, this trust is not haughty; on the contrary, it is humble.
When He avenges blood, He remembers them;
He does not forget the cry of the humble. (Psalm 9:12)
This trust in God is not proud just because we know that God is our Lord, and we are His people, and so he will definitely be on our side and defend us. This trust instead remembers that we are all only mere men (Psalm 9:20), dust to be exact, and therefore, remembers that it is God who lifts us up. Thus, we can only plead for mercy, for who are we to judge another?
Have mercy on me, O LORD!
Consider my trouble from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death, (Psalm 9:13)
However, let us be assured that those who are wicked, those who forget God, they will be judged. In fact, we do not have to do anything, for they have sunk down in the pit which they made, having their foot caught in the very net which they have hidden (Psalm 9:15).
The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. (Psalm 9:16)
If you are being oppressed right now, don't worry. Put your trust in God; He will not forsake you. :)
Friday, January 13, 2012
Proverbs 4
"The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble." - Prov 4:19.
God's word and His wisdom is like a light unto my path, and the lamp unto my feet (Psalm 119:105). For in seeking after and cherishing wisdom, illuminates our path into eternal life. For without it, we will stumble and walk in darkness. Wisdom is our sight, understanding is our perception, and knowledge is our illumination. Amen.
~ BurningBush
---
"Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure." - Proverbs 4:26.
I like this verse. It teaches us to consider all that we do, because if we put in some effort and thoughts to think over our ways, the Holy Spirit will then guide us to make the good decisions and help us walk rightly.
"Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on." - Proverbs 4:15.
This verse teaches us how not to walk on the wrong path.
Basically, avoid it. Don't go onto it. Turn your back. And walk away!
Like how the bible also says to flee from youthful lusts. And how we ought to resist the devil and he will flee from us. So sometimes, 'running away' might not be such a bad option. This isn't a sign of weakness; God is pleased.
God's word and His wisdom is like a light unto my path, and the lamp unto my feet (Psalm 119:105). For in seeking after and cherishing wisdom, illuminates our path into eternal life. For without it, we will stumble and walk in darkness. Wisdom is our sight, understanding is our perception, and knowledge is our illumination. Amen.
~ BurningBush
---
"Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure." - Proverbs 4:26.
I like this verse. It teaches us to consider all that we do, because if we put in some effort and thoughts to think over our ways, the Holy Spirit will then guide us to make the good decisions and help us walk rightly.
"Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on." - Proverbs 4:15.
This verse teaches us how not to walk on the wrong path.
Basically, avoid it. Don't go onto it. Turn your back. And walk away!
Like how the bible also says to flee from youthful lusts. And how we ought to resist the devil and he will flee from us. So sometimes, 'running away' might not be such a bad option. This isn't a sign of weakness; God is pleased.
Psalm 7-8
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him? (Psalms 8:4)
One of my favourite verses in the Bible.
It tells me of the awesomeness of God.
That though He is God,
the Almighty,
the Sovereign One,
the Absolute,
And though I am insignificant,
small,
like a vapour,
dust,
Yet
He looks after me.
He remembers me.
And He cares for me.
He thinks of me.
24/7
How does it feel, knowing that we are constantly in the mind of God?
It makes me feel cherished,
valued,
loved.
Reminds me of a hymn...
Thou thinkest, Lord, of me,
Thou thinkest, Lord, of me,
What need I fear since Thou art near,
And thinkest, Lord, of me.
Hymn 377
And the son of man that You visit him? (Psalms 8:4)
One of my favourite verses in the Bible.
It tells me of the awesomeness of God.
That though He is God,
the Almighty,
the Sovereign One,
the Absolute,
And though I am insignificant,
small,
like a vapour,
dust,
Yet
He looks after me.
He remembers me.
And He cares for me.
He thinks of me.
24/7
How does it feel, knowing that we are constantly in the mind of God?
It makes me feel cherished,
valued,
loved.
Reminds me of a hymn...
Thou thinkest, Lord, of me,
Thou thinkest, Lord, of me,
What need I fear since Thou art near,
And thinkest, Lord, of me.
Hymn 377
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Proverbs 3
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:4)
We are reminded that we ought to not only do right in the sight of God, but also in the sight of man. Didn't Jesus too? :)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52)
But what if those men aren't exactly with God? Do we still seek their favour? Why should we? Didn't the Bible said friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4)?
I don't really know how to answer that... although the Bible also mentioned about loving your enemies (but we know that it is really hard too)... However, I hope to change our perspective a bit by highlighting verse 3 together with verse 4.
Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)
I think this means that as long as we keep ourselves in the love and mercy of God, practise the truth, live out the ways of the Lord, then naturally, we will find ourselves in favour with God (and men).
I think there is a verse that says that God can make even our enemies reconciled with us? :)
This year, I am having a change of boss. My previous boss was very supportive of me and helped me a lot in my career advancement and interest. A new change is always scary, because everything is uncertain. Who knows if my new boss will just decide that she doesn't like me?
However, I have confidence that as long as I keep my faith, practise the truth and mercy of God, in my daily life honour Him, then God would be pleased. And if God is pleased, who cares what people think if they chose to think otherwise?
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
God bless.
In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:4)
We are reminded that we ought to not only do right in the sight of God, but also in the sight of man. Didn't Jesus too? :)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52)
But what if those men aren't exactly with God? Do we still seek their favour? Why should we? Didn't the Bible said friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4)?
I don't really know how to answer that... although the Bible also mentioned about loving your enemies (but we know that it is really hard too)... However, I hope to change our perspective a bit by highlighting verse 3 together with verse 4.
Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)
I think this means that as long as we keep ourselves in the love and mercy of God, practise the truth, live out the ways of the Lord, then naturally, we will find ourselves in favour with God (and men).
I think there is a verse that says that God can make even our enemies reconciled with us? :)
This year, I am having a change of boss. My previous boss was very supportive of me and helped me a lot in my career advancement and interest. A new change is always scary, because everything is uncertain. Who knows if my new boss will just decide that she doesn't like me?
However, I have confidence that as long as I keep my faith, practise the truth and mercy of God, in my daily life honour Him, then God would be pleased. And if God is pleased, who cares what people think if they chose to think otherwise?
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
God bless.
Psalms 5-6
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up. (Psalms 5:3)
Then he said, “O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. (Genesis 24:12)
There was a period of time when I was facing extreme stress at work. I was still quite a fresh graduate, having a culture shock to full time working, and trying to adapt to working life. Yet, work felt so lonesome and like I had to handle things alone. During that period of time, I remembered that every morning, I would drag myself out of bed and in fact, I feared going to work.
But it was also during that period that I learnt to rely on God. I used the prayer that Abraham's servant made - "God, give me success today, and show me kindness."
I needed the hand of God in my work so that my work can go smoothly. I need the mercy of God so that I can pull through the day.
I made that prayer day after day, every morning. And I am confident that it was because of God that I gained some courage, a day at a time, to face what I needed to, for that day. And what will happen the next day? I won't think so far... because the next morning, I will pray for the day again.. and that's how we pull through difficult times sometimes.
God is always near, as long as we draw near to Him.
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up. (Psalms 5:3)
Then he said, “O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. (Genesis 24:12)
There was a period of time when I was facing extreme stress at work. I was still quite a fresh graduate, having a culture shock to full time working, and trying to adapt to working life. Yet, work felt so lonesome and like I had to handle things alone. During that period of time, I remembered that every morning, I would drag myself out of bed and in fact, I feared going to work.
But it was also during that period that I learnt to rely on God. I used the prayer that Abraham's servant made - "God, give me success today, and show me kindness."
I needed the hand of God in my work so that my work can go smoothly. I need the mercy of God so that I can pull through the day.
I made that prayer day after day, every morning. And I am confident that it was because of God that I gained some courage, a day at a time, to face what I needed to, for that day. And what will happen the next day? I won't think so far... because the next morning, I will pray for the day again.. and that's how we pull through difficult times sometimes.
God is always near, as long as we draw near to Him.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Proverbs 2 - the right choice keeps you safe and secure
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:4-5)
Do we seek after God and His wisdom like seeking for hidden treasures? Are our pursuit of godliness like the seeking of silver?
Sometimes it is really funny how we go all out to achieve something in life (academic excellence, chasing after someone we like, wealth, strange collectibles, level up in our games, gyming to achieve the shape you want, etc etc), but we never really have used the same kind of motivation/enthusiasm in our pursuit of God, have we?
It is really difficult especially as we get busier and busier in life; I am finding that fatigue is one big barrier that is blocking my way to God. That is why Sabbaths are especially precious (and it's just one more day to Sabbath!) and are by God's grace.
By making the choice to pursue after His wisdom, by receiving and treasuring His words within us, it can save our lives.
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Let us encourage each other never to give up seeking after His heart.
But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me. (Proverbs 8:17)
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
It is His promise that whoever seeks Him diligently, and with all his heart, shall definitely find Him.
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:4-5)
Do we seek after God and His wisdom like seeking for hidden treasures? Are our pursuit of godliness like the seeking of silver?
Sometimes it is really funny how we go all out to achieve something in life (academic excellence, chasing after someone we like, wealth, strange collectibles, level up in our games, gyming to achieve the shape you want, etc etc), but we never really have used the same kind of motivation/enthusiasm in our pursuit of God, have we?
It is really difficult especially as we get busier and busier in life; I am finding that fatigue is one big barrier that is blocking my way to God. That is why Sabbaths are especially precious (and it's just one more day to Sabbath!) and are by God's grace.
By making the choice to pursue after His wisdom, by receiving and treasuring His words within us, it can save our lives.
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Let us encourage each other never to give up seeking after His heart.
But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me. (Proverbs 8:17)
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
It is His promise that whoever seeks Him diligently, and with all his heart, shall definitely find Him.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Psalms 3-4
Having an exam tomorrow made me really anxious and the way I cope is I zonked out. So right after I came home from work today, I slept. I was drifting in my sleep for a few hours, before I decided that I really have to get up to study. And in a humorous way, I thought a few verses from today's chapters speak to me:
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. (Psalms 3:5)
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. (Psalms 4:4)
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:8)
Strangely, I get a comforting nudge from God that He is reminding me that in Him, I am all secure. He is my hiding place; He is my refuge. And in Him, I can have peace, and be still.
God is my helper. Whenever I call on Him, He hears.
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. (Psalms 3:5)
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. (Psalms 4:4)
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:8)
Strangely, I get a comforting nudge from God that He is reminding me that in Him, I am all secure. He is my hiding place; He is my refuge. And in Him, I can have peace, and be still.
God is my helper. Whenever I call on Him, He hears.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Proverbs 1
A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel (Proverbs 1:5)
A wise man will never perceive himself as wise, but will continously seek to learn from others.
Some warnings for today:
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
It takes away the life of its owners. (Proverbs 1:19)
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. (Proverbs 1:28)
And one verse of great comfort:
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil. (Proverbs 1:33)
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel (Proverbs 1:5)
A wise man will never perceive himself as wise, but will continously seek to learn from others.
Some warnings for today:
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
It takes away the life of its owners. (Proverbs 1:19)
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. (Proverbs 1:28)
And one verse of great comfort:
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil. (Proverbs 1:33)
Monday, January 2, 2012
Psalms 1-2
I am resolved to follow the bible reading plan daily! New year, new start, new beginnings! I call this year the year of spiritual nurture/preparation. May we motivated each other to strive closer to Jesus day by day.
A take away message for me today - taking the other perspective: yes, rather than asking "what is wrong with doing ....?" , we should instead ask or reflect upon "what is right about doing ....?"
We are not called only to "pass marginally" as Christians, but are called to be perfect, because He is perfect. Although we probably can never be perfect, because we are all weak in the flesh, we can strive to be so. That's the assignment of life. To become Christ-like is our life's goal. And how can we do that without daily communion in Him through His words and prayers?
I am resolved; and who will go with me? :)
A take away message for me today - taking the other perspective: yes, rather than asking "what is wrong with doing ....?" , we should instead ask or reflect upon "what is right about doing ....?"
We are not called only to "pass marginally" as Christians, but are called to be perfect, because He is perfect. Although we probably can never be perfect, because we are all weak in the flesh, we can strive to be so. That's the assignment of life. To become Christ-like is our life's goal. And how can we do that without daily communion in Him through His words and prayers?
I am resolved; and who will go with me? :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)