Psalm 90. Life Under the Sign of Grace

by slpcenglish

5–11 April 2015. Psalm 90 (click to read). What does it mean to be human? This is a hard question, and one with lots of answers. But one thing we know is that to be human means having a beginning and an end. It means being limited, being one of God’s creatures. God is unlimited, […]

Psalm 84. Being Close to God

by slpcenglish

29 March–4 April 2015. Psalm 84 (click to read). Psalm 84 is a famous song that was sung by Jewish pilgrims making their yearly journey to worship at the temple in Jerusalem. On the one hand it is a beautiful hymn that describes how wonderful the temple is, and the joy of the pilgrims as […]

Psalm 78:1–39. What are our faith stories?

by slpcenglish

22–28 March 2015. Psalm 78:1–39 (click to read). One of the most important things we do in the church is to share the stories of our faith with each another. In these stories, we share our experiences with God, the way that God has acted in our lives, the way God has touched and changed our lives. […]

Psalm 71. God is our hope!

by slpcenglish

15–21 March 2015. Psalm 71 (click to read). Have you ever noticed how companies give different levels of service to different people? If you have been a long-time customer, many companies treat you differently. They treat you better for your loyalty. Sadly, sometimes people think that God acts in the same way: that he gives […]

Psalm 65. Let the Whole Earth Praise God!

by slpcenglish

8–14 March 2015. Psalm 65 (Click to read). Psalm 65 is a great hymn of praise and thanksgiving, not only for what God does in our own lives, but for what God does in society and the world. God’s love shows itself in our own lives, but it also stretches out, flows out into the […]

Psalm 58. An End to Corruption

by slpcenglish

1–7 March 2015. Psalm 58 (Click to read). Psalm 58 talks about a topic we know well in Taiwan: corruption. In verses 1–5, the writer begins by describing problems that are so familiar to us. Rulers, he says, are supposed to create justice, fairness, and a good life for everyone. That’s the same expectation we […]

Psalm 51. Amazing Grace!

by slpcenglish

22–28 February 2015. Psalm 51 (click to read). Psalm 51 is so important, not only in the Old Testament but also in the life of the church. This text, with its cries for God’s mercy and forgiveness, and its deep sense of our sinfulness, is one we often use during our Lent services, especially to […]

Psalm 44. Rise up and help us, God!

by slpcenglish

15–22 February 2015. Psalm 44 (Click to read). Today’s psalm is really unique because it belongs to the “protest literature” of the Old Testament. We know that the Israelites suffered a lot in their ancient history, that they were often defeated by others, and the people were carried off into exile. Many prophets said that […]

Ps 37:23–40. Real Success

by slpcenglish

8–14 February 2015. Psalm 37:23–40 (click to read). Probably one of the most confusing and troubling things for people of faith is when we see others using wickedness and injustice, rejecting God and his ways, and then still seeming to succeed in life! What’s going on? Why do the wicked do so well? And why […]

Psalm 31. Who Do We Trust?

by slpcenglish

1–7 February 2015. Psalm 31 (Click to read). In Luke 23:46, Jesus prays the words of Psalm 31 as his final prayer: “Into your hands I commit my spirit” (v.5). For Christians, this whole psalm is a good reminder to us that we can place our whole lives into God’s hands. The writer tells us […]