Psalms 124-126 - Who Is On Our Side?

2 “If the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us,

3 then they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger exploded against us.

4 Then the floodwaters would have swept us away.
An {overflowing} stream would have washed us away.

5 Then raging water would have washed us away.”
Psalms 124:2-5 (GW)

1 A song for going up to worship.

Those who trust the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which can never be shaken.
It remains firm forever.

2 {As} the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people now and forever.
Psalms 125:1-2 (GW)

Reflection of B:

It is not how good we are but who is on our side that will ensure victory. Sometimes we trust in our own strength, sometimes we trust in other human strength. But those who trust in God will be strong as a mountain, for God will surround and protect them.


Dear Father,
Thank You for this assurance that You will be on my side no matter what if I trust in You, Yes, I do not trust in my own strength but in Yours. Guide me to make the right decision tomorrow so that I will be in Your will.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Psalms 118 - Trust in The Right Person

9 It is better to depend on the Lord
than to trust influential people.
Psalms 118:9 (GW)

24 This is the day the Lord has made.
Let's rejoice and be glad today!
Psalms 118:24 (GW)

Reflection of B:

The world talks about networking and relying on influential people we know. Yet we learn today that it is better to rely on God. For only He can make us rejoice and be glad. I feel that I am a happier person today than the days before when I have learned to put my trust in the right person, which is God.


Dear Lord,
Thank You that I can rejoice in You no matter what circumstances I am in. I will trust in You instead of on people.
Praise You! Amen.

Psalms 91 and 92 - My Invisible Shelter

1 Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High
will remain in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord,
“{You are} my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
Psalms 91:1-2 (GW)

14 Because you love me, I will rescue you.
I will protect you because you know my name.
15 When you call to me, I will answer you.
I will be with you when you are in trouble.
I will save you and honor you.
16 I will satisfy you with a long life.
I will show you how I will save you.
Psalms 91:14-16 (GW)

12 Righteous people flourish like palm trees
and grow tall like the cedars in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the Lord's house.
They blossom in our God's courtyards.
14 Even when they are old, they still bear fruit.
They are always healthy and fresh.
15 They make it known that the Lord is decent.
He is my rock.
He is never unfair.
Psalms 92:12-15 (GW)

Reflection of B:

I like the above Psalms as they give me so much assurance and comfort that when we live under the shelter of the almighty God, He will keeps us from harms.

When we love and know God personally, He will....

• rescue us,
• answer our calls,
• honour us,
• give us long life, and
• make us flourish and bear fruit even when we are old

Yes, I need such a reminder in my stressful work to call upon my God.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me of Your word tonight that I should come under Your shadow and take cover from the stress of work. I pray that You will give me strength to do more than I normally could and help me not feel weary. I trust in Your unfailing love Lord.
In Your most wonderful name I pray. Amen.

Psalms 62 - What You Sow Is What You Get

5 Wait calmly for God alone, my soul,
because my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my savior—my stronghold.
I cannot be shaken.
Psalms 62:5-6 (GW)

12 Mercy belongs to you, O Lord.
You reward a person based on what he has done.”
Psalms 62:12 (GW)

Reflection of B:

This chapter again emphasizes that God is our rock and stronghold. He will reward us according to our deeds and not our words. Yet He is also a merciful God who is willing to forgive us of our sins when we confessed them to Him and repent.


Dear Lord,
I pray that I will do the things that please You and fully rely on You at work and in my relationship with others. Keep me strong in You and let me not be shaken by my circumstances to doubt Your will for my life. Let me face all challenges boldly because You are my rock and stronghold.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Psalms 46 - Let Go of Your Concerns

1 ...God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in times of trouble.
2 That is why we are not afraid
even when the earth quakes
or the mountains topple into the depths of the sea.
3 Water roars and foams,
and mountains shake at the surging waves.
Psalms 46:1-3 (GW)

10 Let go {of your concerns}!
Then you will know that I am God.
I rule the nations.
I rule the earth.
Psalms 46:10 (GW)

Reflection of B:

Sometimes I tend to try very hard to solve my own problems when they come. I forgot that I have a God who is always beside me to lend me His hands when I call upon Him. I tend to use my own strength to do things and turn to Him only when I failed.

Tonight's passage reminds me of God's "ever-present help". He is just next to me at all times and I need not be afraid no matter what happen. Even when life's storm hits me, He will see me through. I need to learn to "let go" of my concerns, to surrender all to God. Then, only then, will I 'know' that He is GOD.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me that You are "ever-present" before me and that I can let go of all my concerns. For You are MY GOD, who fail me noe. Yes, You are God who rule over the nation and the earth.
Praise You! Amen.

Psalms 43 and 44 - We Never Forget You

5 Why are you discouraged, my soul?
Why are you so restless?
Put your hope in God,
because I will still praise him.
He is my savior and my God.
Psalms 43:5 (GW)

17 Although all of this happened to us,
we never forgot you.
We never ignored your promise.
18 Our hearts never turned away.
Our feet never left your path.
Psalms 44:17-18 (GW)

Reflection of B:

Psalms 43:5 is a repeat of Psalms 42:5,11 where King David talked to himself. When we are discouraged, we should be like David and asked ourselves what is the root of our discouragement and remind ourselves to trust in God and praise Him in all situations. In this way we will not be overcome by sorrows.

Even though many bad things happened to David that caused him to question God, yet he never forget Him or turn away from Him. He passed the tests set for him and was called the man after God's own heart. Likewise, we need to be strong and have faith in God in all situations.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for keeping me with You through all my sufferings and trials. Thank You for all the bible men and women of faith whom I can learn from their examples. When I am discouraged, Your words always lift me up and help me hope in You again.
Praise You! Amen.

Psalms 41 - When My Closest Friend Leaves

4 I said, “O Lord, have pity on me!
Heal my soul because I have sinned against you.”
Psalms 41:4 (GW)

9 Even my closest friend whom I trusted,
the one who ate my bread,
has lifted his heel against me.
10 Have pity on me, O Lord!
Raise me up so that I can pay them back
Psalms 41:9-10 (GW)

Reflection of B:

It can be very painful when our "closest friend" whom we trusted come against us or leave us. That's why King David cried out to God to have pity on him. This Psalm reminds me of the hurtful feeling I had when my best friend deserted me.

Thank God that in time like this, Christians can cry out to God and have the assurance that God will hear them and heal their pains. Yes, God healed all my hurts and helped me move on as I gave all my pains to Him.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for soothing all my pains when I cried to You. You have turned my mourning into dancing and filled my heart with joy. I have learned that in giving up what I hold dear and give it to You, You will grant me something more than what people can give. I thank You for all Your works in my life.
In Jesus' name I praise You. Amen.

Psalms 37 - Outcome of Trust

3 Trust the Lord, and do good things.
Live in the land, and practice being faithful.
4 Be happy with the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Entrust your ways to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will act {on your behalf}.
6 He will make your righteousness shine like a light,
your just cause like the noonday sun.

7 Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Do not be preoccupied with {an evildoer} who succeeds in his way
when he carries out his schemes.

8 Let go of anger, and leave rage behind.
Do not be preoccupied.
It only leads to evil.

9 Evildoers will be cut off {from their inheritance},
but those who wait with hope for the Lord will inherit the land.
Psalms 37:3-9 (GW)

23 A person's steps are directed by the Lord,
and the Lord delights in his way.
24 When he falls, he will not be thrown down headfirst
because the Lord holds on to his hand.

25 I have been young, and now I am old,
but I have never seen a righteous person abandoned
or his descendants begging for food.
Psalms 37:23-25 (GW)

Reflection of B:

In the course of my work recently I came across a situation that made me felt a sense of injustice for another sister in Christ who was somewhat being unfairly treated by her 'Christian' business partner. I felt very sorry for her. I believe I came into the picture so that her partner was compelled to be fair to her without me having to say anything. God will plead her cause just like what Ps 37:8 says.

When we...

• trust and be happy in God, He will grant us our desires
• entrust and trust God, He will act on our behalf
• surrender and wait upon God, He will make us inherit the land

Yes, God will direct the steps of those who do right so that even when they fall, God will hold them. They will not have to beg others.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your assurance that when I stay righteous in Your sight even when others don't, You will surely grant me my desires, plead my cause and keep me from falling. Thank You for doing all these for me. I pray that in my anger I will not sin. May you guide me in my work and my relationship with people. Teach me how to deal fairly with everyone.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Psalms 30 and 31 - Character of God

2 O Lord my God,
I cried out to you for help,
and you healed me.
3 O Lord, you brought me up from the grave.
You called me back to life
from among those who had gone into the pit.
Psalms 30:2-3 (GW)

5 His anger lasts only a moment.
His favor lasts a lifetime.
Weeping may last for the night,
but there is a song of joy in the morning.
Psalms 30:5 (GW)

11 You have changed my sobbing into dancing.
You have removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy
Psalms 30:11 (GW)

15 My future is in your hands.
Psalms 31:15 (GW)

24 Be strong, all who wait with hope for the Lord,
and let your heart be courageous.
Psalms 31:24 (GW)

Reflection of B:

I can fully concur with the Psalmist in all the above verses. The Lord has done all the above to me in my depressed moments and saved me from the enemy's attacks. Even when I sinned, His anger is short-lived. He is full of love and compassion. Yes, my future is in His hands and I want to remain strong and courageous comes what may. Praise God for all He has done for me.


Dear Lord,
As I recall all the happenings in my life and how You led me through them I really felt so indebted to You. May my life be a blessing to those around me that they may know You the author of love.
In Jesus' name I praise You. Amen.

Psalms 22 and 23 - Trust Even In Death

1 My God, my God,
why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away from helping me,
so far away from the words of my groaning?
Psalms 22:1 (GW)

4 Even though I walk through the dark valley of death,
because you are with me, I fear no harm.
Your rod and your staff give me courage.
Psalms 23:4 (GW)

Reflection of B:

Ps 22 is a prophecy on the suffering of Christ at the cross, where God forsook Him because He was bearing our sins. It is a great contrast from Ps 23 of confidence and trust even through death.

Yes, tonight I see the correlation between these two chapters of Psalms. Jesus could go through the cross because the Lord is His Shepherd and He will not be afraid.

Our bad experiences on earth are opportunities for us to know how Jesus felt when He suffered for us, yet without sin. How will we react when we go through the valley experiences?


Dear Lord,
Thank You for this revelation tonight that helps me understand Ps 22 and Ps 23 in a different way. I want to put my trust in You too so that I can have such confidence even when I am in the shadow of death or going through the valley experiences.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Psalms 20 - Desires and Plans

4 He will give you your heart's desire
and carry out all your plans.
Psalms 20:4 (GW)

7 Some {rely} on chariots and others on horses,
but we will boast in the name of the Lord our God.
Psalms 20:7 (GW)

Reflection of B:

Those who trust in the Lord and not in human power will have their heart's desires granted. Why? For then their desires and God's will are intertwined.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for moulding me day by day, year by year, to desire the things You desire. I can have the assurance that my desires will be granted when they are same as Yours. Open my eyes to see, and my heart to feel, just like You. Take all of me and make me Yours.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Job 42 - Truth About God

24 Jul 07

1 Then Job answered the Lord,
2 “I know that you can do everything
and that your plans are unstoppable.
3 “{You said,} ‘Who is this that belittles my advice
without having any knowledge {about it}?'
Yes, I have stated things I didn't understand,
things too mysterious for me to know.
6 That is why I take back what I said,
and I sit in dust and ashes to show that I am sorry.”
Job 42:1-6 (GW)

7 After the Lord had said those things to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz from Teman, “I'm very angry with you and your two friends because you didn't speak what is right about me as my servant Job has done.
Job 42:7 (GW)

12 The Lord blessed the latter years of Job's life more than the earlier years.
Job 42:12 (GW)

Reflection of B:

As I read the earlier chapters of Job I wondered what was so special about Job that God blessed him at the end more than what he had before. I guess the secret lies in Job's willingness to confess his ignorance and showed repentance when he realized his mistakes (v3,4). God commented that Job spoke right about Him.

What did Job speak right? Job said God could do anything He wants and no want can stop Him (v1,2) unlike his 3 friends who thought that God is restricted in doing things in a certain way.

What I learned here is that God's ways and thoughts are always higher than ours and more than we could comprehend. Therefore, in all situations we need to trust that He will works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Dear Lord,
You are so wonderful and marvelous. Your plan is perfect and Your ways are wise. Forgive me for times that I may forget this truth and became as ignorant as Job did. I ask for Your forgiveness and teach me to always remember to trust in You in all situations.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Job 16 & 17 - God Is Still In Control

1 “My spirit is broken.
My days have been snuffed out.
The cemetery {is waiting} for me.
2 Certainly, mockers are around me.
My eyes are focused on their opposition.
3 Please guarantee my bail yourself.
Who else will guarantee it with a handshake?
4 You have closed their minds so that they cannot understand.
That is why you will not honor them.
Job 17:1-4 (GW)

Reflection of B:

Even as Job answered his friends accusations, he still knew that God was in control of his life. He was the only one who could 'bail' Job out of his miseries.

Yes, we need to always come back to acknowledge God's sovereignty in our life, and that He will always make all things workout together for good to us who love Him and are called to His purpose.

Dear God,
Thank You for this reminder that You are always in control of all the things that happen in my life, be it work, relationship or events. Thank You for all keeping me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.