January 7
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PSALM 143 -MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU LIKE A PARCHED LAND
Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness. 2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. 3 For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. 4 Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. 5 I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. 6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. -Psalm 143:1-6
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In this psalm, we witness David deeply discouraged and longing so much for the Lord’s presence and deliverance. As he cries out and pleads God to grant him mercy, we hear how intimate he is with God. Verse 1 declares that God is full of faithfulness and righteousness. While David is feeling so beaten down, he never forgets to praise his God by declaring to the Lord himself his own attributes. He pleads God in verse 2 not to judge him for he knows that he is sinful and that no one is righteous before the Lord. According to Van Gemeran, David seemed to anticipate the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:10 (quoting Isaiah), There is none righteous, no not one; and Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Verse 3 is stating the condition of his soul. David seemed so exhausted at the pursuit of the enemy and how he is feeling so defeated and totally crushed in his spirit. He likens this deep depression into those who have long been dead: lifeless and without peace and joy. When we hear David speaks how his spirit is faint, doesn’t it remind us of Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was about to die?
I myself feel David’s anguish during this time of exhaustion from the enemy’s attacks and ploys. When we are constantly targeted by the fiery arrows of the devil, we can physically, emotionally and mentally be drained and depleted. When we are betrayed, manipulated and tricked by those people closest to us, yet do everything they can to make our lives so miserable, we can be so worn out. I recently feel the effects of being marinated in constant attacks for over a decade. It has made me focus on the dark side of things.
In verses 5-6, we hear a shift of emotions from despair to hope as he ponders on God’s goodness from past battles he won. He declares his need for God.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to cry out to God in our deepest agony?
• What can praying do for us who are in deep emotional turmoil?
Tag Archives: Christian blog
PSALM 91-GOD’S PROTECTION TO THOSE WHO HOLD FAST TO HIM
January 6
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PSALM 91-GOD’S PROTECTION TO THOSE WHO HOLD FAST TO HIM
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he
knows my name.15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” – Psalm 91:11-16
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In the last verses of this psalm, we are given an actual illustration of God’s protection to those who love Him. In our world today, there is a fascination with heavenly beings especially angels. We see sculptures, paintings and even jewelry or small figurines of angels. The bible gives us a clearer image of these heavenly being. In 2 Samuel14:17, it says that they can discern good and evil. In Hebrews 1:14, they are described as ministering spirits to those who inherit salvation. In Luke 20:36, they are called God’s children. In Revelations 14:6, we are given a picture of them flying in midair who had the purpose to proclaim the gospel to those who live on earth-to every nation, tribe, language and people. After hearing what the bible has to say about these heavenly beings, we can now begin to picture how God assigns all these angels to guard all those who belong to Him. In verse 12, it is clearly depicted that they will bear you up. In other words, they will lift you up and make sure, not even your foot is harmed by anything, not even a stone. What a comfort to know that even though we don’t see them, they are there to ensure we are protected. In verse 13, this is almost prophetic and refers to Jesus, who crushes the serpent and the young lion. In other words, those who believe in the Lord, will have authority over these wild creatures and these animals will never hurt them at all.
The following verses are more assurances of God’s love because he promises deliverance and protection to all those who know his name. Verse 15 sounds almost like a caress from God that soothes our whole being. He will answer us when we are in trouble. He will come to liberate or free us. In verse 16, is another promise of long life and satisfaction and contentment to those who belongs to him. What a faithful lover!
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REFLECTION
• How has God manifested his protection on you all these years that you have served him?
• Why is it important to be reminded of the protection that God provides us?
PSALM 91-THE GOD WHO IS MY REFUGE AND FORTRESS
January 4
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PSALM 91-THE GOD WHO IS MY REFUGE AND FORTRESS
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
–Psalm 91:1-6
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In this psalm, the writer uses three titles of God namely in the first 2 verses:
• Most High (Elyon)- it means that no idol, god, or created being may be worshipped or exalted about the LORD because He is superior in every way.
• Almighty (El Shaddai)- conveys the idea God is an all-powerful being, able to control everything in the universe at all times.
• The Lord (Yahweh)- Yahweh is derived from the Hebrew word for “I AM,” it is the proper name of the divine person, coming from the verb which means to “exist,”
The psalmist introduces these titles in order to give reverence to the God whom he trusts and whom he considers his refuge and fortress.
According to Derek Kidner, the author of this psalm is unknown, but because it shares some of the themes of Psalm 90, some think the author is Moses. Some think it is David because it shares some common theme with Psalms 27 and 31. Whoever wrote this psalm have the same reverence as Moses and David have especially when addressing their Lord God.
Verses 1-6 enumerates promises of God to those who will abide in Him. In verse 1, we see the result of taking refuge in Him, we become very close to him, as if we are under his own shadow. You need to be close to someone for your shadows to intertwine and become one. Verse 2, gives us a picture of a fort that protects us from all harm and danger. Verse 3 promises deliverance or release from the tactics of the enemy and anything that will bring harm or death. Verse 4 describes how he protects us. Verse 5 promises strength and courage and verse 6 of his constant guidance and light. What rich psalm this is to remind us who we serve and how powerful he is to take care of us and to ensure we are protected.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to know God’s names and his promises?
PSALM 13- HOW LONG O LORD? ILMA’S BLOG
January 2
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PSALM 13- HOW LONG O LORD?
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed
over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. – Psalm 13:1-6
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Spurgeon comments “If the reader has never yet found occasion to use the language of this brief ode, he will do so ere long, if he be a man after the Lord’s own heart. Whenever you look into David’s Psalms, you may somewhere or another see yourselves. You never get into a corner but you find David in that corner.”
In verse 1, we hear David’s loneliness and exhaustion from the circumstances surrounding him. He is in anguish from the Lord’s absence. We know that David had fought so many battles and there are some victories he had won and that is probably because he felt the Lord’s presence then. But in the beginning of this psalm, we clearly hear despair. In verse 2, he felt very tired of being my himself and relying on his own strength. He sounded very much depleted from the constant battles he faced. I could very much identify with David in this ode “How long, O Lord?” Sometimes I feel shattered to pieces from being on guard against the enemy’s schemes. If I slacken off, I find myself being crushed. In verse 3, David cries out and pleads for God to make his presence felt. He feared sleeping because when he does, he might end up lifeless. When we are so exhausted, we are very vulnerable to feelings of abandonment and depression. He cries out to God to bring him light as he was in a very dark place. He pleads the Lord to rescue him as his strength diminishes.
I am amazed at the sudden surge of hope in verse 5 and 6. It is as if the Lord literally heard his plea while he was still crying out in verse 4. We see a sudden shift from depression to a desire to focus on God’s steadfast love. Then In verse 6, the decision to worship the Lord with gratitude seemed like God changed his perspective from despair to hope. Sometimes we fail to hear God’s reply because we are so immersed and consumed by our circumstances, but God is faithful and steadfast in his love.
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REFLECTION
• How do you identify with David’s crying out to God during times of exhaustion?
RESURRECTION IS VICTORY OVER DEATH ILMA’S VLOG
August 27
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RESURRECTION IS VICTORY OVER DEATH
29 For otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized or them? 30 Why are we also in danger every hour? 31 I affirm, brothers and sisters, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily. 32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what good is it to me? If the dead are not raised, LET’S EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE. 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 34 Sober up morally and stop sinning, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
– 1 Corinthians 15:29-34
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In this letter, Paul proves further the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In verse 29, he seems to be talking about baptism for the dead which may have been a practice of those times regarding baptizing those who have died without hearing the gospel.
According to Gospel Coalition.org, some scholars have proposed that Paul’s key terms have rare or figurative meanings. First, they say “baptism” is metaphorical, as in Peter’s expression “baptism with fire.” Second, they say “for” does not mean “on behalf of.” Third, they say “the dead” are the spiritually dead or the dying, not the physically dead. Yet the text gives us no reason to seek metaphorical meanings. All stripes of scholars agree that the plain sense is most likely, though no one knows precisely what the Corinthians did. Though many scholars have tried to interpret this very perplexing verse, let us not get out of context, but go back why Paul mentioned this in this letter. He continues to spell out the essence of Christ’s resurrection for those who are hearing this message. He challenges their thinking regarding the principle behind the resurrection of Jesus: to show that Christ reigned over death and that in Him, we will have life again.
In verse 32, he talks about the only boasting we need to do as Christians: that Jesus Christ died for us to save us from sins and that no amount of achievement or prowess that we have achieved will assure us of life everlasting.
Paul cautions the believers that if Christ wasn’t resurrected, then we won’t have a purpose in life. Since God made us in his own image, he wants to ensure that we are living up to that image he made us to be. He warns us to stay away from bad company so that we can continue to live blameless lives.
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REFLECTION
• How is the resurrection pointing us to our purpose in life according to God’s plan?
FIRST FRUITS OF OUR RESURRECTION ILMA’S VLOG
August 26
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FIRST FRUITS OF OUR RESURRECTION
20 But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man death came, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to our God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is clear that this excludes the Father who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
– 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
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In Leviticus 23:9-14, the feast of the first fruits was celebrated on the day after the Sabbath. Jesus rose from the dead on the same day of the feast of the first fruits, the day after the Sabbath following the Passover. Guzik comments that firstfruits is the ancient Greek word aparche. In the Septuagint, this word is used for the offering of firstfruits and in secular usage, the word was used in entrance fee.
In this letter, Paul couldn’t stress enough the importance of the resurrection of Jesus. He reminds the Corinthian believers that Adam brought death but Christ gave us life. When Christ resurrected, he became the offering to God so that he can appease God of his wrath on man’s sinfulness. All who believe in Christ, will also be resurrected as promised by God. He was sacrificial lamb so that we can have eternal life. Paul refers to the promised second coming of Christ, where he will rule over all kingdoms here on earth and in the heavenlies. All earthly rulers and spiritual powers will bow down to him and they will all be subject to Christ’s authority, power and reign. In verses 27-28, Paul specifically puts emphasis on all things will be subject to Christ except God the Father, since he is the Maker of all things. Though Christ is the Son of God, he is still subject to His Father. In Romans 11:36, Paul says in these words about the mystery of God’s plan: For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. He reminds the believers of the purpose of a man’s life: to bring God all the glory.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to remember what our purpose here on earth is?
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION PROVES OUR RESURRECTION ILMA’S VLOG
August 25
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CHRIST’S RESURRECTION PROVES OUR RESURRECTION
12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is in vain. 15 Moreover, we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ only in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied.
– 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
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According to wikibooks.org, the word “resurrection” means a ‘raising up’, or ‘rising up’ from the Greek word “anastasis.. In the verb form it means ‘to cause to stand or rise up; to raise from sleep or from the dead’. In 1 Thessalonians 4:18, rapture comes from the Koine Greek text which uses the verb form [harpagēsometha], which means “we shall be caught up”, “taken away”, with the connotation that this is a sudden event which is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.The resurrection of the dead is one of the most basic of doctrines; and we accept it as fact that Jesus Christ, the Messiah not only suffered and died for the sins of the world, but that He subsequently rose from the grave by the power of the Almighty God the Father. Martin Luther says “Everything depends on our retaining a firm hold on this doctrine in particular; for if this one totters and no longer counts, all the others will lose their value and validity.” Spurgeon says that “If Jesus rose, then this gospel is what it professes to be; if He rose not from the dead, then it is all deceit and delusion.”
Paul proves to the Corinthians the truth of the promise of our resurrection by pointing out the fact that Christ himself resurrected from the dead and was raised after he died on the cross to save us. He was rebuking some of those Corinthian believers who were questioning the promise that all believers will also be resurrected just like how Christ was raised from the dead. Some of the Corinthians were still influenced by the Greek Philosophy that they live forever but not in resurrected bodies. Paul had to prove to them that Jesus himself died and resurrected which proves that all believers will be given too.
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REFLECTION
• Why is the doctrine of the resurrection hard for unbelievers to understand?
NOT I BUT THE GRACE OF GOD IN ME ILMA’S VLOG
August 24
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NOT I BUT THE GRACE OF GOD IN ME
Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, 2 by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.3 For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
– 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
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In this letter, Paul repeats the importance of the gospel in a believer’s life. It is the Good News that Paul had preached to them and they have received it and stood by it. He reminds the Corinthian believers that it is the only source of salvation; that if they believe that the death of Christ on the cross is to fulfill the Scriptures, they will be saved. Paul humbly confesses to them that he didn’t deserve to bring them the gospel because he was unfit to be called an apostle because he once persecuted the church of God. In verse 10, he explains the reason why he was able to bring them the Good News despite all the things he used to do to kill Christians. It was God’s grace that made him preach the gospel. Once again, we witness Paul’s humility here. He wasn’t taking credit for anything that he has preached to them. Instead, he points to God’s grace as the source of such knowledge of truth and the message of God to all believers. Even though he didn’t discount the fact that he worked hard to ensure that they receive the Good News, he never boast that it was his. How often do we see or hear preachers bring the gospel and then turned it the wrong way by calling attention to themselves instead of focusing on bringing the gospel to the body of Christ? Paul reminds us that everything comes from God and without his grace, we can do nothing.
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REFLECTION
• Why should we always remind ourselves to live in God’s grace?
A WOMAN’S PLACE IN THE CHURCH DURING WORSHIP ILMA’S VLOG
A WOMAN’S PLACE IN THE CHURCH DURING WORSHIP
August 23
A WOMAN’S PLACE IN THE CHURCH DURING WORSHIP
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As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly way – 1 Corinthians 14:33-40
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In this letter, Paul teaches the Corinthian believers of a woman’s place in the church during worship. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul established the importance of headship in the church. Paul makes it clear that God has established principles of order, authority, and accountability in this earlier chapter. He says that the head of every man is Christ and the head of every woman is a man and the head of Christ is God. Each one is covered by an authority where they are submitting to. He also mentioned in this earlier chapter that this order is to be followed by the believers in their worship in church.
In this chapter, Paul reiterates this order by reminding the woman to keep silent during worship and need to be subject to their head who is the man. Guzik comments that in the Jewish synagogues, men and women sat apart. But if a woman chattered or called out to her husband sitting far off, she would be dealt with severely. The Corinthian church may have adopted the same kind of seating arrangement, but with many women from Gentile backgrounds, they did not know how to conduct themselves at a church meeting. Paul teaches them how. In the ancient world, just as in some modern cultures, women and men sat in different groups at church. Among the Christians in Corinth, there seems to have been the problem of women chattering or disrupting the meetings with questions. Paul is saying, “Don’t disrupt the meeting. Ask your questions at home.”
In verse 35, he tells the women to go to their own heads who are their husbands if they have questions and not speak freely to disrupt the worship. In our modern world, the order of God during worship isn’t honored by many false churches.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think Paul emphasizes the importance of having order in worship?
ORDER IN WORSHIP FOR EDIFICATION OF CHURCH ILMA’S VLOG
August 22
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ORDER IN WORSHIP FOR EDIFICATION OF CHURCH
26 What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God. 29 Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.
– 1 Corinthians 14:26-32
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According to bibleodyssey.org, the Corinthian church was a mixed-gender group. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 reveals that women were fully involved in church life, participating vocally in gatherings for worship by praying aloud and prophesying. The article says that it isn’t easy to know the size of the Corinthian church, but scholarly estimates range from 40-150 persons. It is assumed then when the “whole church” came together for worship (1 Corinthians 14:23), it did so in a believer’s home, but Paul’s distinction between church and home in 1 Corinthians 11:22, may suggest otherwise. The meeting place may have been a rented dining hall, a large garden or some other venue.
In this letter, Paul gives the Corinthian church a guideline to use for church gatherings. Because of the predisposition of the Corinthian believers to misuse the spiritual gifts they have received; he gives them direction how to go about the order of using such gifts when they meet. Can you imagine if they are meeting in homes, halls or gardens and they were all praying aloud all at the same time and prophesying simultaneously? It would be chaos.
He reminds them in verse 26 that all must be done for the edification of the church. How often does our flesh interfere in the growth of the whole body of Christ? Our selfish nature wants to point to our gifts and forget the reason why it was given to us in the first place. He clearly instructs them in verses 27-32 how to go about giving each other room to speak in tongues, prophesy, exhort, pray aloud and interpret. In verse 33, he reminds them that they serve a God of peace, not of chaos or confusion. It is sad to watch many churches today not following the order that Paul spoke about in this letter.
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REFLECTION
• Why is order in a church worship very essential in a church?