(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 120:1-7) Psalm 120 to Psalm 134 has been categorized as “A Song of Ascents.” Jerusalem is geographically elevated, so the Israelites would literally “go up” when traveling there during their pilgrimages to worship during major feasts like Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. Psalm 120 to Psalm 134 thus represents songs that pilgrims returning to […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 119:129-176) As the psalmist writes, “The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple,” what image comes to mind? A closed book, a scroll that is rolled up, or a letter that is folded up? What happens when we open the book, unroll the scrolls, or unfold the letter […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 119:89-128) 89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled (literally means stands firm) in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. 91 They stand this day according to your ordinances, for all things are Your servants. The Lord created the heavens and the earth by […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 119:41-88) What do the Lord’s commandments mean to us? Do we see them as rules, regulations, and orders? And if they are these things, do we feel like they put restraints on our life, take away our freedom and fun? Interestingly, we read in the today’s Scripture that the psalmist speaks of love […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 119:1-40) Psalm 119 is the longest chapter and the longest Psalm in the Bible. It is written in the form of an acrostic which is a form of writing where the first letters of each line (or verse) follow a pattern. Psalm 119 follows a sequence using the Hebrew alphabet. The Hebrew alphabet […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 117–Psalm 118) In this one statement, “for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” we are reminded that there is nothing better than the Lord to help us and be our refuge in times of despair and trouble. What is so amazing about this statement and why is it so powerful? It is because in this […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 116:1-19) Why do we love the Lord? Have we ever thought about this question before? How would we answer this question if someone were to ask us? We sing songs at church that say we love the Lord, we may even share with others that they are to love the Lord, but why […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 115:1-18) For those that will put their trust in creation, rather than the Creator, in things that creation has created, rather than the Creator Himself, will become like those things that they created. Rather than being like the Creator, being created in the image of God, we who put our trust in creation, […]
(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 113–Psalm 114) Although we may say that God is in heaven and we are down on earth, but today’s psalmist writes that “The Lord is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens.” No, His glory is not in the heavens, because even the heavens are God’s creation and cannot contain […]
(REFLECTIONS ON 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18) As a continuation from 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul and his colleagues encouraged the Thessalonians to follow in the ways of the traditions of the Christian faith that they received from them. These traditions are the traditions left behind for us from the prophets and apostles in Holy Scripture. And these are […]