Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 30

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 30 Psalm 118:5-14 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 5-6,8-9,14)
5 I called on the Lord in distress;
The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
6 The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?

7 The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me,
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
11 They surrounded me,
Yes, they surrounded me;
But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12 They surrounded me like bees;
They were quenched like a fire of thorns;
For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 You pushed me violently, that I might fall,
But the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.


[Sharing] Psalm 118 is the poem that the Israelites sang when they went to the temple during the festivals to offer sacrifice and sing praise to God. As they were heading to the temple and remembering how Jehovah God had listened to their prayers and placed them in a spacious place after so many years of turmoil, they could not help but say, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? For it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.“ Many times in the history of Israel, nations surrounded them like a swarm of bees to destroy them, but the people of Israel could be victorious in the name of the Lord. It is why they could sing, “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 30 詩篇118:5-14 有耶和華幫助我,我必不懼怕
(背誦5-6,8-9,14節)
5 我在急難中求告耶和華,
祂就應允我,把我安置在寬闊之地。
6 有耶和華幫助我,我必不懼怕,
人能把我怎麼樣呢?

7 在那幫助我的人中,有耶和華幫助我,
所以我要看見那恨我的人遭報。
8 投靠耶和華,強似倚賴人。
9 投靠耶和華,強似倚賴王子。

10 萬民圍繞我,我靠耶和華的名必剿滅他們。
11 他們環繞我,圍困我,
我靠耶和華的名必剿滅他們。
12 他們如同蜂子圍繞我,好像燒荊棘的火必被熄滅,
我靠耶和華的名必剿滅他們。
13 你推我,要叫我跌倒,但耶和華幫助了我。
14 耶和華是我的力量,是我的詩歌,
祂也成了我的拯救。


【心得分享】詩篇118篇是以色列民在節日的時候一同去往聖殿獻祭和讚美所唱的詩歌。當他們在去往聖殿的路上,回想在過去那麼多急難的歲月中, 耶和華 神是如何聽了他們的禱告,將他們安置在寬闊之地,他們就不由得說:「有耶和華幫助我,我必不懼怕,人能把我怎麼樣呢?因為投靠耶和華,強似倚賴人,強似倚賴王子。」在以色列的歷史中,有許多次萬民圍繞他們,如同蜂子圍繞他們,希望剿滅他們,但以色列民卻可以靠耶和華的名勝過仇敵。因此,他們可以高唱:「耶和華是我的力量,是我的詩歌,祂也成了我的拯救。」
此時此刻,在你我的生命中也可能面對許多的個人、家庭、工作和屬靈的爭戰,讓我們也學習常常來投靠耶和華,也來經歷『有耶和華幫助我,我必不懼怕,人能把我怎麼樣呢?』,因為耶和華是我的力量,是我的詩歌,祂也成了我的拯救。

Monday, November 29, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 29

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 29 Psalm 44:1-8 Giving thanks to God for he commands victories for us
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 3-5)
1 We have heard with our ears, O God,
Our fathers have told us,
The deeds You did in their days,
In days of old:
2 You drove out the nations with Your hand,
But them You planted;
You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out.
3 For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword,
Nor did their own arm save them;
But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance,
Because You favored them.
4 You are my King, O God;
Command victories for Jacob.
5 Through You we will push down our enemies;
Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.

6 For I will not trust in my bow,
Nor shall my sword save me.
7 But You have saved us from our enemies,
And have put to shame those who hated us.
8 In God we boast all day long,
And praise Your name forever. Selah

[Sharing] This contemplation from the descendant of Korah is also a national prayer psalm. Since the country was under attack by the enemy at the time, the psalmist recounts God’s great deliverance in the past to “force five passes and slay six captains”, to defeat the enemy and lead them to Canaan. Now, they cry out to God in one accord to help them again in defeating their enemies, saying, “You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob." Even though they were facing the formidable enemies they could still trust God and as they sing, "Through You we will push down our enemies; Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.” Thanks be to God, who through this verse strengthens our faith. In a special year like this year, whenever we are attacked by enemies, fall on tough times, or feel weak and discouraged, we can declare and win the victory of God through faith. Hallelujah! “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14a)



【感恩月簡介】...

Day 29 詩篇44:1-8 為 神出令使我們得勝而感恩
(背誦3-5節)
1 神啊,袮在古時,
我們列祖的日子所行的事,我們親耳聽見了;
我們的列祖也給我們述說過。
2 袮曾用手趕出外邦人,卻栽培了我們列祖;
袮苦待列邦,卻叫我們列祖發達。
3 因為他們不是靠自己的刀劍得地土,
也不是靠自己的膀臂得勝,
乃是靠袮的右手、袮的膀臂,和袮臉上的亮光,
因為你喜悅他們。
4 神啊,袮是我的王;
求袮出令使雅各得勝。
5 我們靠袮要推倒我們的敵人,
靠袮的名要踐踏那起來攻擊我們的人。

6 因為,我必不靠我的弓;
我的刀也不能使我得勝。
7 惟袮救了我們脫離敵人,使恨我們的人羞愧。
8 我們終日因 神誇耀,還要永遠稱謝袮的名。 (細拉)

【心得分享】這是一篇可拉後裔的訓誨詩,也是全民祈禱詩。由於當時國家正面臨敵人的攻擊,首先,詩人先複述他們親耳聽到 神在過去如何幫助先祖 “過五關、斬六將”,戰勝仇敵,並帶領他們進迦南的大能作為,於是同心起來呼求 神——再次施恩幫助他們擊敗仇敵,說 「神啊,袮是我的王; 求袮出令使雅各得勝。」 故此他們雖然遇到強敵壓境的威脅,仍然可以信靠 神並重申,說 「我們靠袮要推倒我們的敵人, 靠袮的名要踐踏那起來攻擊我們的人。」感謝 神,藉著這首詩堅固了我們的信心。今年這樣特殊的一年裡面,無論是遇到仇敵攻擊、環境艱難、或軟弱灰心時,也能求 神幫助我們憑信宣告並支取 神的得勝。哈利路亞!「感謝 神!常率領我們在基督裡誇勝。」(林後2:14a)

Sunday, November 28, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 28

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 28 Psalm 126:1-6 Be thankful for being delivered from exile to exultation
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 1-6)
1 When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.
4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.


[Sharing] Psalm-shaped people of God recognize who we are and humbly, rightly respond to the stunning grace of God. Your thanksgiving will only be as deep and as wide as the distance you recognize existed between who you were before Christ delivered you and who you are today because the Lord has done great things for us. (same as comparison in verses 4-6)

This psalm of ascent recognizes that it was God’s grace alone (and not merely Cyrus’ political policy) which brought Israel home from Babylonian exile in the sixth century BC (see Ezra, Nehemiah). The rejoicing pours forth not only for physical homecoming but that God’s wonderful life-giving covenantal presence is back with His people. Like Israel’s dry south (Negeb) which would flood after a rainstorm, so too will the restored people be overflowing in praise, laughter, and hope, for the Lord has done great things for us.

Let us together this day thank God who in Christ Jesus brought us out of exile into His very presence that we might abide, be filled, and rejoice!




【感恩月簡介】...

Day 28 詩篇126:1-6 從被擄之地歸回的感恩
(背誦1-6節)
1 當耶和華將那些被擄的帶回錫安的時候,
我們好像做夢的人。
2 我們滿口喜笑、滿舌歡呼的時候,
外邦中就有人說:
「耶和華為他們行了大事!」
3 耶和華果然為我們行了大事,
我們就歡喜。
4 耶和華啊,求袮使我們被擄的人歸回,
好像南地的河水復流。
5 流淚撒種的,
必歡呼收割。
6 那帶種流淚出去的,
必要歡歡樂樂地帶禾捆回來。


【心得分享】使用詩篇來稱謝 神的人,是那些真正地認識到自己是誰,並且以謙卑和正確的態度來回應 神奇妙恩典的人。你越認識到自己被基督拯救之後有了多麼大的改變(如同4-6節中的前後對比),你對 神的感謝就越廣越深,因為主果然為我們行了大事。
這篇上行之詩幫助我們認識到,他們在第六世紀從巴比倫被擄之地的歸回(請看以斯拉,尼希米記)完全是主的恩典,而不是波斯王古列的政策。他們歡呼不只是因為可以回家,而是因為 神的百姓又可以享受到 神原先立約要賜給他們豐富生命的同在。就像以色列乾旱的南地在暴雨之後河水復流,歸回百姓的讚美、笑聲、和盼望也被恢復了;原來那些帶著種子流淚出去的,必要歡歡樂樂的帶著禾捆回來;因主果然為他們行了大事。
讓我們今天一起感謝 神,因祂在基督裡把我們這些原本被擄的人帶回到祂的同在中,如今我們得以住在祂裡面,被祂充滿,以祂為樂!

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 27

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 27 Psalm 18:31-36,46-50 Knowing God from our spiritual battles

(Memorization Scripture: vv. 31-36)
31 For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.
36 You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.


46 The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
47 He is the God who avenges me,
who subdues nations under me,
48 who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from a violent man you rescued me.
49 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing the praises of your name.
50 Great deliverance He gives to His king,
And shows mercy to His anointed,
To David and his [m]descendants forevermore.

[Sharing] Psalm 18 is written by a veteran who experienced a lot of wars, and it is collected from 2 Samuel 22. After the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and battles, and after experiencing the ups and downs, victories and defeats, honor and disgrace, David wrote this psalm that reads through the ages.
Who is God besides the Lord? Who is the Rock except our God? Who arms me with strength except Him? Who enables me to stand on the heights in the drums of war? If it were not for the Lord, how can my weak arms bend a bow of bronze? [You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.] We also often go through narrow paths and walk to the brink of danger, but the Lord always leads us to victory, and makes our enemies flee. I am secure in my distress, and my ankles never slip into the abyss. OLORD, my Savior, my God, I will praise you among the nations, I will sing praises to your name.


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 27 詩篇18:31-36 ,46-50 從爭戰中認識誰是 神
(背誦31-36節)
31 除了耶和華,誰是 神呢?除了我們的 神,誰是磐石呢?
32 唯有那以力量束我的腰,使我行為完全的,祂是 神。
33 祂使我的腳快如母鹿的蹄,又使我在高處安穩。
34 祂教導我的手能以爭戰,甚至我的膀臂能開銅弓。
35 袮把袮的救恩給我做盾牌,袮的右手扶持我,袮的溫和使我為大。
36 袮使我腳下的地步寬闊,我的腳未曾滑跌。


46 耶和華是活 神。願我的磐石被人稱頌;願救我的 神被人尊崇。
47 這位 神,就是那為我伸冤、使眾民服在我以下的。
48 袮救我脫離仇敵,又把我舉起,高過那些起來攻擊我的;袮救我脫離強暴的人。
49 耶和華啊,因此我要在外邦中稱謝袮,歌頌袮的名。
50 耶和華賜極大的救恩給祂所立的王,施慈愛給祂的受膏者,就是給大衛和他的後裔,直到永遠。

【心得分享】詩篇十八篇是一位飽經戰事的老兵所寫的頌讚詩,是從撒母耳記下二十二章收集而來。大衛在耶和華救他脫離一切仇敵和爭戰之後,經歷過大起大落、輸贏勝敗、榮辱興衰,寫了這一首千古誦讀的長詩。
除了耶和華,誰是 神呢?除了祂,誰是永不動搖的磐石呢?除了祂,誰是我的力量呢?除了祂,誰使我在戰鼓隆隆聲中安穩在高處呢?若不是耶和華,我軟弱的手、無力的膀臂哪裡可以開銅弓爭戰呢?「耶和華啊,袮把袮的救恩給我做盾牌,袮的右手扶持我,你的溫和使我為大。你使我腳下的地步寬闊,我的腳未曾滑跌。」我們也是常常行過窄路,走在危險的邊緣,但是耶和華使我爭戰得勝,我的仇敵在我面前轉背逃跑。在急難中,我能安然度過,我的腳未曾滑落萬丈深淵。耶和華啊,我的救主,我的 神,我要在外邦中稱謝袮,歌頌袮的名。

Friday, November 26, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 26

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 26 Psalm 57:1-2,7-11 Praise God for a steadfast heart

(Memorization Scripture: vv. 7-11)
To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.
2 I will cry out to God Most High,To God who performs all things for me.

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
8 I will sing and give praise.
Awake, my glory!
Awake, lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples.
I will sing to You among the nations.
10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.


[Sharing] In a difficult situation, David wrote a psalm while in a cave, saying, "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge ..." At that time David was in as much danger as being placed in a fiery furnace, for Saul would stop at nothing to kill him. In his difficulties, David knew well that God's mercy and love was exalted among the heavens and he decided to look to God and treat the cave of refuge as a sanctuary for praising the Lord. He said, "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise." He encouraged himself, saying, "Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn." Not only did he sing and praise the Lord in the cave, but he also would use instruments to praise the Lord in early mornings as he set his heart to praise, sing, and give thanks to God among all nations.

May the Lord help us not to let our souls fall into a drowsy state in the face of the challenges and restlessness in the current environment. Instead, let us choose to be awake and sing to the Lord like David in hardships. Even with tears in our eyes we'll praise and sing to the Lord, for He loves us, His mercy reaches unto the heavens, and His truth unto the clouds.

Pray for God to help us not to let our minds fall into a drowsy state in the face of the challenges, restlessness, and restlessness in the current environment.


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 26 詩篇57:1-2, 7-11 在急難中求告 神,被堅固而歌頌這位至高 神
(背誦7-11節)
大衛逃避掃羅,藏在洞裡。那時,他作這金詩,交於伶長。調用休要毀壞。
1 神啊,求憐憫我,憐憫我!因為我的心投靠你。
我要投靠在你翅膀的蔭下, 等到災害過去。
2 我要求告至高的 神,就是為我成全 諸事的 神。

7 神啊,我心堅定,我心堅定;
我要唱詩,我要歌頌!
8 我的靈( - 原文是榮耀)啊,你當醒起!
琴瑟啊,你們當醒起! 我自己要極早醒起!
9 主啊,我要在萬民中稱謝袮,
在列邦中歌頌袮!
10 因為,袮的慈愛高及諸天;
袮的誠實達到穹蒼。
11 神啊,願袮崇高過於諸天!
願袮的榮耀高過全地!


【心得分享】在艱難困境中,大衛在山洞裡作詩呼求說:「 神啊,求你憐憫我,憐憫我!因為我的心投靠你。我要投靠在你翅膀的蔭下……」。那時的大衛如同身處獅子群和身陷烈火中一樣危險,因掃羅用盡各樣的方法要將他置於死地。在艱難中大衛深知 神的憐憫和慈愛高及諸天,他決意選擇仰望 神,把避難的山洞當作讚美 神的聖所。他說:「 神啊,我心堅定,我心堅定。我要唱詩,我要歌頌!」他勉勵自己說:「我的靈(原文是榮耀)啊,你當醒起! 琴瑟啊,你們當醒起! 我自己要極早醒起!」他不但在山洞裡唱詩讚美 神,還要清晨早起用琴瑟讚美 神,並立定心志要在萬民和列邦中歌頌稱謝 神。
求 神幫助我們,在面對當下環境中各樣挑戰、和躁動不安的衝擊時,不要讓我們的心靈昏睡消沉,讓我們能像大衛一樣在艱難困境中,對自己的心說話,選擇醒起歌唱稱頌 神。哪怕是邊流淚,也要邊讚美稱謝 神。因為 神愛我們,祂的慈愛高及諸天;祂的誠實達到穹蒼。

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 25

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 25 Psalm 86:1-13 The prayer and praise in suffering
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 8-12)
1 Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me;
For I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am holy;
You are my God;
Save Your servant who trusts in You!
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord,
For I cry to You all day long.
4 Rejoice the soul of Your servant,
For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
And attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
For You will answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord;
Nor are there any works like Your works.
9 All nations whom You have made
Shall come and worship before You, O Lord,
And shall glorify Your name.
10 For You are great, and do wondrous things;
You alone are God.
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
And I will glorify Your name forevermore.

13 For great is Your mercy toward me,
And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

[Sharing] The psalms today teach us how to pray to God in times of trouble. In affliction, David not only humbly turns to God all day long but by faith he believes God will answer his cry. David realizes that the Lord God can do much more than merely save him from distress - for He is great, He alone is God, none of the gods are comparable to Him; and the unique true God is willing to save him from suffering. “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.” (v. 5)
Even more wonderful is that in affliction, David not only seeks God to save him from trouble but also prays to God for his Word. He prays that he might act according to the truth of God and asks for a heart that fears the name of God.

Finally, David's prayer in adversity turns into praise and gratitude to God - "I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore." (v. 12) He no longer just focuses on the affair, but instead on the salvation that God has made, and he knows that the love God that has given to him is great, for He has saved the soul of David from deep darkness.

May David's prayers and compliments to God in times of trouble also be our testimony in affliction today!


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 25 詩篇86:1-13 患難中向 神的呼求和讚美
(背誦8-12節)
1 耶和華啊,求袮側耳應允我, 因我是困苦窮乏的。
2 求你保存我的性命,因我是虔誠人。
我的 神啊,求袮拯救這倚靠袮的僕人!
3 主啊,求袮憐憫我,因我終日求告袮。
4 主啊,求袮使僕人心裏歡喜, 因為我的心仰望袮。
5 主啊,袮本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告袮的人。
6 耶和華啊,求袮留心聽我的禱告,垂聽我懇求的聲音。
7 我在患難之日要求告袮,因為袮必應允我。
8 主啊,諸神之中沒有可比袮的;袮的作為也無可比。
9 主啊,袮所造的萬民都要來敬拜袮;他們也要榮耀袮的名。
10 因袮為大,且行奇妙的事; 惟獨袮是 神。
11 耶和華啊,求袮將袮的道指教我;我要照袮的真理行; 求袮使我專心敬畏袮的名!
12 主-我的 神啊,我要一心稱讚袮;我要榮耀袮的名,直到永遠。

13 因為,袮向我發的慈愛是大的;袮救了我的靈魂免入極深的陰間。

【心得分享】今天的詩篇教導我們在患難中當如何向 神禱告。在患難中,大衛不僅謙卑地來到 神的面前終日求告 神,更是在信心中相信 神會應允他的呼求 。因為大衛認識到這位耶和華 神不僅能夠救他脫離患難 - 因祂為大,惟獨祂是 神,諸神之中沒有可比祂的;而且這一位獨一的真 神樂意來拯救他脫離患難。因為「主啊,袮本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告袮的人。」(v5)
更奇妙的是,在患難中,大衛不僅求 神來救他脫離患難,更是在禱告中求 神將祂的道指教他從而他可以照著 神的真理而行,並求 神使祂專心敬畏祂的名!最後,大衛在患難中的求告居然轉成了向 神的讚美和感恩 - 「主-我的 神啊,我要一心稱讚袮;我要榮耀袮的名,直到永遠!」(v12) 因為他不再只是定睛在眼前的患難,而是看見 神所做成的救恩,他知道 神向他發的慈愛是大的,因祂救了大衛的靈魂免入極深的陰間!

甚願大衛在困境中向 神的禱告和讚美,也能夠成為我們今天在患難中的見證和安慰!

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 24

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 24 Psalm 66:8-20 Experiencing God's trimming in trials and tests
(Memorization Scripture: vv.10-12, 16-20)
8 Praise our God, all peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
10 For you, God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.

13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
and fulfill my vows to you—
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you
and an offering of rams;
I will offer bulls and goats.
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!


[Sharing] When we are in all kinds of trials and tests (prison, burdens, fire and water), we often ask: "Where is my God? Has he forgotten me? Did he hear my prayer?" But the psalmist has a different understanding of trials and prayer.

God loves us, so he tests us, refines us like silver, brings us into prison, lays burdens on our backs, and even lets people humble our heads. All these circumstances are for one purpose: to bring us to a place of abundance after going through fire and water. During the tests, our sins are revealed. Sin is what God hates and it is also the greatest obstacle when we pray to God. “ If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (v. 18) Let us pray that God will help us, not only reveal our sins, but also set us free from the power of sin with the redemption in His grace, and come to Him with clean hands and pure hearts. He will turn his ear to us.

【感恩月簡介】...

Day 24 詩篇66:8-20 在試煉中經歷 神的修剪
(背誦10-12, 16-20節)
8 萬民哪,你們當稱頌我們的 神,使人得聽讚美祂的聲音。
9 祂使我們的性命存活,也不叫我們的腳搖動。
10 神啊,袮曾試驗我們, 熬煉我們,如熬煉銀子一樣。
11 袮使我們進入網羅,把重擔放在我們的身上。
12 袮使人坐車軋我們的頭;我們經過水火,袮卻使我們到豐富之地。

13 我要用燔祭進袮的殿,向袮還我的願,
14 就是在急難時我嘴唇所發的、口中所許的。
15 我要把肥牛作燔祭,將公羊的香祭獻給袮,又把公牛和山羊獻上。 (細拉)
16 凡敬畏 神的人,你們都來聽!我要述說祂為我所行的事。
17 我曾用口求告祂; 我的舌頭也稱祂為高。
18 我若心裏注重罪孽,主必不聽。
19 但 神實在聽見了; 祂側耳聽了我禱告的聲音。
20 神是應當稱頌的! 祂並沒有推卻我的禱告,也沒有叫祂的慈愛離開我。


【心得分享】當我們落在各樣試煉中(網羅,重擔,水火)的時候,常有的體會是:「我的 神在哪裏呢?祂是否已忘記了我?有沒有聽我的禱告呢」?但詩人對試煉和禱告卻有一個新的認識。
神愛我們,祂試驗我們, 熬煉我們,如熬煉銀子一樣,祂使我們進入網羅,把重擔放在我們的身上,甚至使人坐車軋我們的頭。為的是讓我們經過水火到達豐富之地。在試驗中,我們的罪被顯明。而罪是 神所恨惡的,也是我們向 神禱告最大的障碍。「我若心裏注重罪孽,主必不聽。」(v18) 求 神幫助我們,不單罪被顯明,更顯出祂赦罪的恩典給我們力量脫離罪的權勢,可以手潔心清的來到祂的面前。祂必會側耳垂聽我們的禱告。

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 23

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 23 Psalm 116:1-7, 17-18 Thanksgiving for deliverance from death
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 5-7, 17-18)
1 I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
3 The pains of death surrounded me,
And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called upon the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!”
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
6 The Lord preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.


17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.
18 I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people,


[Sharing] Have you ever gone through the situation the psalmist pictured - “The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow”? (v. 3) If you have similar experiences, then pray diligently just as the psalmist who came to God with his prayer, “Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!” (v. 4)
How often we forget, we are still alive only because God listens to our prayers. Even though He does not always perform exactly all that we ask, He indeed listens to all our prayers. He is gracious, righteous and merciful. He is the One True God whom people seek and find in tribulation. It is His grace that helps people from difficulties to stay faithful and to wait for His salvation.
As the psalmist passed through the Valley of Baca, he who had already tasted the grace of God, said “Return to your rest, O my soul, For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” (v. 7). Also he went inside the temple of the Lord, offered to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and paid his vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
“I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” (vv. 1-2)


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 23 詩篇 116:1-7, 17-18 經歷 神的厚恩,在眾民面前還願
(背誦5-7, 17-18節)
1 我愛耶和華,因為祂聽了我的聲音和我的懇求。
2 祂既向我側耳,我一生要求告祂。
3 死亡的繩索纏繞我,
陰間的痛苦抓住我,
我遭遇患難愁苦。
4 那時,我便求告耶和華的名,說:
耶和華啊,求袮救我的靈魂!
5 耶和華有恩惠,有公義,
我們的 神以憐憫為懷。
6 耶和華保護愚人,
我落到卑微的地步,祂救了我。
7 我的心哪!你要仍歸安樂,
因為耶和華用厚恩待你。


17 我要以感謝為祭獻給袮,又要求告耶和華的名。
18 我要在祂眾民面前,在耶和華殿的院內,在耶路撒冷當中,
向耶和華還我的願。你們要讚美耶和華!


【心得分享】你曾經有過如詩人形容的「死亡的繩索纏繞我;陰間的痛苦抓住我;我遭遇患難愁苦。」這樣的遭遇嗎?如果有,那你應該也有詩人「求告耶和華的名,說:耶和華啊,求袮救我的靈魂!」這樣的迫切的禱告。 多少次我們忘了我們如今還存活,是 神聽了我們的禱告。即或祂沒有完全依照我們所求的成全我們,祂確實是聽了我們的禱告。這位有恩惠、有公義、以憐憫為懷的 神,是在患難中求告耶和華的人所經歷的;也是從這位 神而來的恩典,支持了在患難中的人仍然走在信心的路上,等候祂的救恩。 出了流淚谷之後,這位親嚐主恩滋味的詩人,慨然說:「我的心哪!你要仍歸安樂, 因為耶和華用厚恩待你。」並且他來到耶和華的殿內,以感謝為祭獻給 神,在神眾民面前還他當初求告耶和華時所立的約。 「我愛耶和華,因為祂聽了我的聲音和我的懇求。 祂既向我側耳,我一生要求告祂。」 (v1-2)

Monday, November 22, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 22

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 22 Psalm 28:1-2, 6-9 Give thanks to God for listening to our prayer
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 7-9)

Rejoicing in Answered Prayer
A Psalm of David.
1 To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock:
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

6 Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.
8 The Lord is their strength,
And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
9 Save Your people,
And bless Your inheritance;
Shepherd them also,
And bear them up forever.


[Sharing] Sharing: In this psalm, we find that David is a man of prayer. He raises his hands to the Lord and cries, "O Lord my Rock"! He asks the Lord to not be silent, lest he become like those who go down to the pit and lose all hope. But when David recalls how God had heard his prayers and delivered him, he cannot help but sing with joy, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped". David then goes on to pray for God's people, for he knows that God is not only his strength, but also the strength of His people. Praise the Lord! He is forever the God of salvation and blessing, the God who shepherds and upholds.

David reminds us that God is our rock and our shield. If we follow his lead by praying to God in faith, I believe we too will experience answered prayers and will testify to how He personally became our strength and help. Praise the Lord, He is a God who listens to prayers so that through our prayers we too can experience His salvation, blessings, shepherding, and faithful support!


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 22 詩篇 28:1-2, 6-9 因著 神垂聽我們的禱告而感謝祂
(背誦7-9節)
1 耶和華啊,我要求告袮!
我的磐石啊,不要向我緘默!
倘若袮向我閉口,
我就如將死的人一樣。
2 我呼求袮,向袮至聖所舉手的時候,
求袮垂聽我懇求的聲音!

6 耶和華是應當稱頌的,
因為祂聽了我懇求的聲音。
7 耶和華是我的力量,是我的盾牌;
我心裏倚靠祂就得幫助;
所以我心中歡樂,
我必用詩歌頌讚祂!
8 耶和華是祂百姓的力量,
又是祂受膏者得救的保障。
9 求袮拯救袮的百姓,賜福給袮的產業,
牧養他們,扶持他們,直到永遠。


【心得分享】在這篇禱告詩中,我們看到大衛是一個禱告人,他向 神舉手呼求說「我的磐石啊!」不要緘默,不要閉口,否則他就會像將死的人一樣,失去了盼望。但是當大衛一想起過去 神是如何聽了他的禱告,施行了拯救,他就忍不住歡呼歌頌 神說:「耶和華是我的力量,是我的盾牌;我心裡倚靠祂就得幫助。」大衛進而為 神的百姓代禱,因為他知道 神不僅是他個人的力量,也是 神百姓的力量。感謝 神!祂永遠是那位拯救的 神、賜福的 神、牧養的 神,扶持的 神!
大衛在這裡特別提醒我們, “神是我們的磐石和盾牌”,如果我們也能像大衛一樣憑信向 神祈求,相信我們也能經歷 神垂聽我們的禱告,並且也可以見證祂親自成為我們的力量和幫助。感謝 神,祂是聽禱告的 神,使我們也能藉著禱告經歷祂的拯救、賜福、牧養和扶持!

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 21

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 21 Psalm 73:1-5,16-28 What to do when you are grieved because the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 25-26)

1 Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.


16 When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.


[Sharing] We often feel unfair that others did not receive what they deserve. This is especially true when we see how those who have done evil go unpunished; these thoughts make our footsteps on the path of righteousness unsure. The author of this particular psalm, Asaph, was suffering due to having these exact thoughts. That is, until he went into the sanctuary of God, and, in the light of God, he saw what he did not understand before - the end of the ungodly is truly terrible. He humbly came before God to admit his ignorance and foolishness. He realized that God is continually with him. God holds him by hand, guides him with counsel, and will receive him to glory. My God, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (vv. 25-26) Let me not carry grievances in my heart any longer. Let the ungodly receive their end! As for me, I will draw near to God; He is my refuge (NASB), and I will declare all His works.


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 21 詩篇73:1-5,16-28 為惡人享福,義人遭災抱不平
(背誦25-26節)
1 神實在恩待以色列那些清心的人。
2 至於我,我的腳幾乎失閃,我的腳險些滑跌。
3 我見惡人和狂傲人享平安,就心懷不平。
4 他們死的時候沒有疼痛,他們的力氣卻也壯實。
5 他們不像別人受苦,也不像別人遭災。
......
16 我思索怎能明白這事,眼看實係為難,
17 等我進了 神的聖所,思想他們的結局。
18 袮實在把他們安在滑地,使他們掉在沉淪之中。
19 他們轉眼之間成了何等的荒涼!他們被驚恐滅盡了。
20 人睡醒了怎樣看夢,主啊,袮醒了也必照樣輕看他們的影像。
21 因而我心裡發酸,肺腑被刺。
22 我這樣愚昧無知,在袮面前如畜類一般。
23 然而,我常與袮同在,袮攙著我的右手。
24 你要以袮的訓言引導我,以後必接我到榮耀裡。
25 除袮以外,在天上我有誰呢?除袮以外,在地上我也沒有所愛慕的。
26 我的肉體和我的心腸衰殘,但 神是我心裡的力量,又是我的福分,直到永遠。

27 遠離袮的必要死亡,凡離棄袮行邪淫的袮都滅絕了。
28 但我親近 神是與我有益!我以主耶和華為我的避難所,好叫我述說袮一切的作為。

【心得分享】我們往往為著 神在他人身上不同的待遇而不平,尤其是看見作惡的人沒有受到該受的報應,走在義路上的腳步不禁動搖。這篇詩的作者,亞薩,正是因為如此而在困苦的環境中越發地受折磨。直到他進入聖所敬拜 神,在 神的光中看見之前不明白的,就是惡人從 神的同在中沉淪的結局原來如此可怕!他謙卑的在 神面前承認自己的愚昧無知,原來 神一直與他同在,攙著他的手,用聖言引導他,還要接他到榮耀裡。我的 神啊!「除袮以外,在天上我有誰呢?除袮以外,在地上我也沒有所愛慕的。我的肉體和我的心腸衰殘,但 神是我心裡的力量,又是我的福分,直到永遠。」(v25-26) 我再也不要心懷不平,讓惡人去收取他們的結局吧!至於我,我要親近 神,以祂為我的避難所,並且述說祂一切的作為。

Saturday, November 20, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 20

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 20 Psalm 138:1-3, 7 The Lord’s goodness to the faithful
(Memorization Scripture: v. 2)

1 I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your loving kindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.

[Sharing] David is perhaps one of the greatest examples of the victories and failures possible in a human’s life. Many of his trials and struggles were either directly or indirectly caused by his own actions. And yet through every situation he desired to overcome his brokenness and to trust in the provision of the Lord. The sins and victories of his life may seem a bit exaggerated compared to our own lives, but his faith is something that we should strive for in everything we do. Trusting and remaining close to God through every hardship, aggression, and failing is what leads us to the holiness that we seek. It is when we try to succeed on our own that we fail. David demonstrates that fact perfectly. But when we remain in God's hands, we find His mercy, grace, and provision. Today, don’t live apart from our Lord, God, and Savior. Welcome Him in for a day of thanksgiving.


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 20 詩篇138:1-3,7 歌頌耶和華的慈愛誠實
(背誦2節)
1 我要一心稱謝你,在諸神面前歌頌你。
2 我要向你的聖殿下拜,為你的慈愛和誠實稱讚你的名;因你使你的話顯為大,過於你所應許的。
3 我呼求的日子,你就應允我,鼓勵我,使我心裡有能力。
…...
7 我雖行在患難中,你必將我救活。我的仇敵發怒,你必伸手抵擋他們,你的右手也必救我。

【心得分享】大衛的人生是一個典型的成功與失敗的例子。很多他面臨過的難題都是他自己造成的。但每當他遇到困難時,他都選擇戰勝他自己的軟弱並且相信神的預備。他生命中的犯罪與得勝可能比我們生命中遇到過的要誇張一些,但他對主的信心是值得我們學習的。通過一切艱辛,敵對和失敗,我們仍選擇信靠神、親近神,這幫助我們邁向了所追求的聖潔。當我們想靠自己的力量獲得成功時,我們經常會跌倒,大衛明確地示範了這一點。但當我們把自己放在神的手裡時,我們就會得到祂的憐憫、恩典與供應。今天,請大家不要在生活中遠離神,我們的救主。請大家在心裡迎接祂,成爲感恩的一天。

Friday, November 19, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 19

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 19 Psalm 13:1-6 From grief and desperation to singing with faith
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 5-6)
1 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes,
Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest my enemy say,
“I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.


[Sharing] The psalmist David uses four "How long"s to express to God his suffering, injustice and hopelessness. In the difficulties he couldn’t see any hope feeling forgotten by God, and he questions God, “How long will You hide Your face from me?” Yet, David doesn’t stay downcast after sharing his distress but asks, “Consider and hear me, O Lord my God.” David knew that the only way to turn from suffering and hopelessness was to singing of the Lord’s great love altering reality through spiritual eyes. This is indeed a precious reminder for us that following the Lord is not by feeling but by faith. The enemy often uses suffering and negative feelings to blind the children of God, so that in difficulties we only look down instead of looking up to the Lord who is always with us! May the Lord open up our hearts in times of doubt so that we may look upon God in trust and thanksgiving, for He has dealt bountifully with us! AMEN!


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 19 詩篇13:1-6 從憂愁無望到因信歌唱
(背誦5-6節)
1 耶和華啊,袮忘記我要到幾時呢?要到永遠嗎?
袮掩面不顧我要到幾時呢?
2 我心裏籌算,終日愁苦,要到幾時呢?
我的仇敵升高壓制我,要到幾時呢?
3 耶和華-我的 神啊,求袮看顧我,應允我!
使我眼目光明,免得我沉睡至死;
4 免得我的仇敵說:我勝了他;
免得我的敵人在我搖動的時候喜樂。
5 但我倚靠袮的慈愛;
我的心因袮的救恩快樂。
6 我要向耶和華歌唱,因祂用厚恩待我。


【心得分享】詩人大衛連續用四個「要到幾時呢?」在 神面前表達自己的痛苦、委曲和無助的心情;在艱難的環境中他看不到希望,他感覺被 神遺忘了,並質問 神說:「祢掩面不顧我要到幾時呢?」但是大衛在傾訴心中的苦情後,並沒有持續停留在自己負面的感覺中,而是呼求說:「耶和華我的 神啊,求袮看顧我,應允我!使我眼目光明,免得我沉睡至死。」大衛知道唯有以自己屬靈的眼睛看見 神時,才能從苦難和絕望中轉變到歌唱 神的大慈愛。這對我們來說實在是一個寶貴的提醒—跟隨主不是憑感覺而是憑信心。因為仇敵常用苦難和負面的感覺來蒙蔽 神的兒女,讓我們在艱難中低頭看眼前的困境,不看在艱難中陪伴我們的 神,進而讓我們懷疑 神的愛!求 神讓你我的眼目光明、屬靈,在生活中能常抬頭仰望祂,依靠祂,感謝祂,因祂用慈愛和厚恩待我們。阿們!

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 18

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 18 Psalm 20:1-9 Triumph in faith
(Memorization Scripture: vv.5, 7-9)
1 May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

6 Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.


[Sharing] This psalm is a prayer of the people and the king before going into battle. In verses 1-5, people ask blessings for the king (May the Lord… answer you, protect you, help you, support you, remember you, accept you, give you, make all your plans succeed]. They pray that God Himself will bring salvation. The enemies trust in chariots and horses which are fearful to the Israelites, but David was full of assurance that God is going to save his anointed ones; the people of God trust in the name of the Lord, they lift up the banners in the name of God (Jehovah Nissi), they will rise up and stand firm.
Do the problems we are facing and the surrounding sinister environment often make us fearful and timid? Though we may see an army besieging us, we ask in the name of God that He will open our spiritual eyes and let us see the hills full of His horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:15-17), so that we may proclaim and testify in faith: They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. (v. 8). AMEN!



【感恩月簡介】...

Day 18 詩篇20:1-9 因著信心誇勝
(背誦5, 7-9節)
1 願耶和華在你遭難的日子應允你;
願名為雅各的 神高舉你。
2 願祂從聖所救助你,
從錫安堅固你,
3 記念你的一切供獻,
悅納你的燔祭, (細拉)
4 將你心所願的賜給你,
成就你的一切籌算。
5 我們要因袮的救恩誇勝,
要奉我們 神的名豎立旌旗。
願耶和華成就你一切所求的!
6 現在我知道耶和華救護祂的受膏者,
必從祂的聖天上應允他,用右手的能力救護他。
7 有人靠車,有人靠馬,
但我們要提到耶和華-我們 神的名。
8 他們都屈身仆倒,
我們卻起來,立得正直。
9 求耶和華施行拯救,我們呼求的時候,願王應允我們!


【心得分享】 這是一首參戰前百姓與王共同的祈禱詩,1-5節百姓爲王求祝福:「願耶和華... ...應允你,高舉你,救助你,堅固你,記念你,悅納你,賜給你,成就你......」並祈求 神親自施行拯救。車與馬是敵人所依靠,以色列人所畏懼的;但大衛充滿了把握,知道 神要救護祂的受膏者。 神的百姓要依靠耶和華的名,靠此豎立旌旗(耶和華尼西),必然得勝,站立到底。(v. 6-8) 眼前的困難,險惡的環境,是否也常常叫我們畏懼、膽怯?雖然眼見的是車馬軍兵圍困了我們,但讓我們用信心求告耶和華的名,求祂要開我們屬靈的眼睛,讓我們看見滿山有 神的火車火馬圍繞保護我們(王下6:15-17), 以至於我們都可以在信心的裡面宣告和見證:「他們都屈身仆倒, 我們卻起來,立得正直(8節)」。阿們!

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 17

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 17 Psalm 116:8-14 Giving thanks after experiencing God’s salvation in suffering
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 12- 14)
8 For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the Lord
In the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore I spoke,
“I am greatly afflicted.”
11 I said in my haste,
“All men are liars.”
12 What shall I render to the Lord
For all His benefits toward me?
13 I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the Lord.
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people.


[Sharing] How do we respond to suffering in hindsight? In this psalm, the psalmist has been delivered from trouble and sorrow as pains of death that had surrounded him, He called on the name of the Lord, and the Lord heard his plea and delivered his soul from death, his eyes from tears, and his feet from falling.

After the psalmist experienced God’s salvation in suffering, he chose to take up the cup of salvation, to call upon the name of the Lord, and to give glory and praise to God. Let's also think about our own situation. How can we look back on suffering and be still thankful? The answer is by remembering His faithfulness to us throughout and delivering us. May David’s response to suffering become our response in facing our own difficulties.



【感恩月簡介】...

Day 17 詩篇116:8-14 經歷 神在患難中的搭救後的感恩
(背誦12-14節)
8 主啊,袮救我的命免了死亡,救我的眼免了流淚,救我的腳免了跌倒。
9 我要在耶和華面前行活人之路。
10 我因信,所以如此說話。
11 我受了極大的困苦。我曾急促地說:「人都是說謊的。」
12 我拿什麼報答耶和華向我所賜的一切厚恩?
13 我要舉起救恩的杯,稱揚耶和華的名。
14 我要在祂眾民面前向耶和華還我的願。


【心得分享】在這首讚美詩中,詩人從宛如死亡的繩索纏繞他的痛苦和悲痛中被解脫出來。神聽了詩人的懇求和聲音,救他的命免了死亡,救他的眼免了流淚,救他的腳免了跌倒。當詩人經歷 神在患難中的搭救之後,他選擇在今後的日子裡,在耶和華面前行活人之路,也要在眾人的面前,舉起救恩的杯,稱揚耶和華的名,將榮耀感恩來歸給 神。讓我們也都思想一下自己的光景與經歷。我們該如何回顧苦難並感恩?答案就是通過牢記祂對我們的信實及拯救。甚願詩人在患難中的反應也成為我們今天面對一切艱難的反應。

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 16

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 16 Psalms 142:1-7 A plea for relief from persecutors
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 5-7)

I cry out to the Lord with my voice;
With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.
2 I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.

3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk
They have secretly set a snare for me.
4 Look on my right hand and see,
For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul.

5 I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
6 Attend to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”


[Sharing] Today’s Psalm is a prayer written by David when he was in the cave because of persecution from King Saul. In this psalm, David pleaded his complaint and trouble to God and declared his loneliness, weakness, and helplessness in the midst of enemies trying to overtake him. As an act of faith, David turned to God, he declared “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.” (v.5) David had faith that God would incline His ear and hear his words, and that God Himself, would ‘Bring my (David’s) soul out of prison’ (v.7), and “The righteous shall surround me (David)”(v.7). From this passage, we find the perfect response to the injustice, trials, despair, and low points of our daily walk with God. We are reminded, by the experiences of David, that no matter which hardship we are going through, we should look upon God with a humble heart like David’s, and put faith in Him that He will deliver us out of all troubles, for He is our refuge and portion, and also our salvation. Together we praise His name!


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 16 詩篇142:1-7 在困境中向 神哀告,盼望可以在脫離患難之後感謝祂
大衛在洞裏作的訓誨詩,乃是祈禱
(背誦5-7節)
1 我發聲哀告耶和華,發聲懇求耶和華。
2 我在祂面前吐露我的苦情,陳說我的患難。
3 我的靈在我裡面發昏的時候,袮知道我的道路。
在我行的路上,敵人為我暗設網羅。
4 求袮向我右邊觀看,因為沒有人認識我;
我無處避難,也沒有人眷顧我。
5 耶和華啊,我曾向袮哀求,我說:「袮是我的避難所,在活人之地,袮是我的福分。」
6 求袮側耳聽我的呼求,因我落到極卑之地;
求袮救我脫離逼迫我的人,因為他們比我強盛。
7 求袮領我出離被囚之地,我好稱讚袮的名。義人必環繞我,因為袮是用厚恩待我。


【心得分享】本篇是大衛逃避掃羅王時,在洞中所作的訓誨詩。在本詩中,大衛向耶和華哀告他的苦情和患難,並陳訴自己被敵人追殺的孤單、軟弱和無助。他一無隱瞞的告訴他的 神,這些仇敵比他強盛,他現在的景況到了極卑之地。但是,他還是能在信心裡宣告說:「袮是我的避難所;在活人之地,袮是我的福分!」(v5) 他相信 神會側耳而聽他的呼求,親自「領他出離被囚之地」(v7),並使義人環繞他,用厚恩待他。在這段經文中,我們找到了在我們每天與 神同行時,如何回應不公正、磨難、絕望和低谷的完美範例。藉著大衛的經歷,提醒我們無論處在什麼困境,甚至心裡發昏、絕望時,都要真實地到 神面前傾心吐意,堅信祂必能帶領我們脫離一切困境,並且有一天,我們還要來稱謝祂!

Monday, November 15, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 15

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 15 Psalm 9:1-4,7-14 Giving thanks to God with our whole hearts for His salvation
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 1-2)

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all your marvelous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you: I will sing praise to your name, O most High.

3 When my enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at your presence.
4 For you have maintained my right and my cause; you sat in the throne judging right.

7 But the LORD shall endure forever: he has prepared his throne for judgment.
8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know your name will put their trust in you: for you, LORD, have not forsaken them that seek you.
11 Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12 When he avenges blood, he remembers them: he forgets not the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer from them that hate me, you that lift me up from the gates of death:
14 That I may show forth all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in your salvation.

[Sharing] Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail. We need to hear this today as our academia, media, and our own hearts brag that mankind is the center of the universe. We need this truth to rule our minds today - this life is neither ruled by us or the threat of our enemies. I can turn to the Lord in great thanksgiving as it is He who sits enthroned forever, it is His justice that rules, and He is the stronghold in whom we can put our trust. Even in the dark days of tragedy and failure in our own lives and in times when it seems evil is winning, our Lord is present with us in the world (v. 11, among us in Zion), is actively judging evil (vv. 4, 7-8, 12), and never forgets His people (v.10) but shows such great mercy and care. What does this mean for the psalmist and for me? It means, instead of boasting of myself or cowering in fear and despair, I can publicly (v.14, gates of Zion) praise the Lord with my whole life (v. 1, my whole heart) for delivering me from sin, enemies, and death! Let’s sing together today, I will rejoice in your salvation!


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 15 詩篇9:1-4,7-14 因 神的救恩而一心稱謝祂
(背誦 1-2節)
1 我要一心稱謝耶和華;
我要傳揚袮一切奇妙的作為。
2 我要因袮歡喜快樂;
至高者啊,我要歌頌袮的名!

3 我的仇敵轉身退去的時候,
他們一見袮的面就跌倒滅亡。
4 因袮已經為我伸冤,為我辨屈;
袮坐在寶座上,按公義審判。

7 惟耶和華坐為王,直到永遠;
祂已經為審判設擺祂的寶座。
8 祂要按公義審判世界,
按正直判斷萬民。
9 耶和華又要給受欺壓的人作高臺,
在患難的時候作高臺。
10 耶和華啊,認識袮名的人要倚靠袮,
因袮沒有離棄尋求袮的人。
11 應當歌頌居錫安的耶和華,
將祂所行的傳揚在眾民中。
12 因為那追討流人血之罪的-祂記念受屈的人,
不忘記困苦人的哀求。
13 耶和華啊,袮是從死門把我提拔起來的;
求袮憐恤我,看那恨我的人所加給我的苦難,
14 好叫我述說袮一切的美德;
我必在錫安城( - 原文是女子)的門因袮的救恩歡樂。

【心得分享】「耶和華啊,求袮起來,不容人得勝!」在這個以「人」为宇宙中心的時代,多麼需要聽到這樣一句話!當學術界,媒體,和我們的心不停地抬高「人」的地位時,這個道理一定要緊緊地控制我們的思想:我的一生不是被「我」或者我的敵人掌控。我要轉眼仰望 神,感謝祂,因祂永遠坐在寶座,祂的公義掌權,並且祂是我們的堡壘。甚至在我們悲傷和失敗的時候,好像仇敵在誇勝的時候,主依然與我們同在(11節,「居錫安的耶和華」)。祂在審判罪惡(4,7,8,12節),也從不忘記祂的子民(10節),何等的憐憫和慈愛。這對詩篇的作者、對我意味著什麼?它意味著我們不當自誇,也不當畏懼或絕望,而是在公眾前(14節,「錫安城的門」)一生(1節,「一心」)讚美祂。因祂救贖我們脫離罪、仇敵、甚至死亡!我們應當今日一起歌唱:「我因袮的救恩歡樂!」

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 14

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 14 Psalm 34:1-8 Giving thanks to God for His goodness and salvation
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 1-3, 7- 8)

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!


[Sharing] After David departed from Abimelech the king of the Philistines, he wrote this psalm to give thanks to God for answering him when he called upon the Lord in distress, listening to his prayer in trouble. David said “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (v. 1). Also the psalmist invited us to exalt His name and to give thanks to God, for He sent His messengers far off and encamped all around those who fear Him, so that those who looked to Him will not be ashamed.
When you face challenges and go through a spiritual valley, please do not forget that our God is good. Open your eyes of faith and look around, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” (v. 7) For we not only see, but taste the Grace of the Lord, and we (shall) live through the greatness of God day by day. David said: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (v. 19) Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!



【感恩月簡介】...

Day 14 詩篇34:1-8 為著 神的美善和救恩感謝祂
(背誦1-3,7-8)
1 我要時時稱頌耶和華,
讚美祂的話必常在我口中。
2 我的心必因耶和華誇耀,
謙卑人聽見,就要喜樂。
3 你們和我當稱耶和華為大,
一同高舉祂的名。

4 我曾尋求耶和華,祂就應允我,
救我脫離了一切的恐懼。
5 凡仰望祂的便有光榮,
他們的臉必不蒙羞。
6 我這困苦人呼求,耶和華便垂聽,
救我脫離一切患難。
7 耶和華的使者在敬畏祂的人四圍安營,搭救他們。
8 你們要嘗嘗主恩的滋味,便知道祂是美善。
投靠祂的人有福了!


【心得分享】大衛從非利士王亞比米勒面前逃離後,就作詩感謝 神在急難中應允他的尋求;在困苦艱難中垂聽他的禱告;救他脫離了一切的恐懼和患難。他說:「我要時時稱頌耶和華,讚美祂的話必常在我口中」。也邀請我們和他一同來高舉稱謝耶和華的名,因為祂差派使者四圍安營保守敬畏祂的人,叫凡仰望祂的人必不蒙羞。
當你遇到困境和屬靈低谷時,千萬不要忘記,我們的 神是美善的,張開你信心的眼睛看:「祂使者正在你的四圍安營,如同當年滿山的火車火馬圍繞以利沙一樣圍繞你」。不但看見,而且我們還要去嘗嘗主的恩典,在每天的實際生活去經歷 神的美善。大衛說:「義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切」。(參詩34:19)真是感謝主,投靠祂的人有福了!

Saturday, November 13, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 13

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 13 Psalm 103:1-13 Remind yourself to trust God's salvation and to give Him thanks
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 1-5,8-13)

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.


[Sharing] Have you ever talked to your heart? When facing extreme difficulties, have you ever encouraged yourself to bless the Lord? David started with “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!” in the psalm today, and it feels like he needed to consciously encourage himself to give thanks to our Lord. David reminded himself to not forget all of the Lord’s blessings - the forgiveness of all of his iniquities, the healing of all his diseases, the redemption of his life from destruction, and being crowned with lovingkindness and tender mercies. David was also able to give thanks to the Lord as God satisfied his mouth with good things, so that his youth was renewed like the eagles. As David counted God’s blessings one by one, the Spirit enlightened him to acknowledge God’s everlasting mercy and love, a love so wide, so long, so deep, and so high that it goes well beyond our knowledge.

Maybe you’re facing some challenging situations that drain you, but like David you can encourage yourself not to be overwhelmed! In spite of all life’s afflictions, let’s remind ourselves to “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits”!



【感恩月簡介】...

Day 13 詩篇103:1-13 提醒自己的心要數算 神的救恩,稱謝耶和華
(背誦1-5, 8-13節)
1 我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華;凡在我裡面的,也要稱頌祂的聖名!
2 我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華,不可忘記祂的一切恩惠。
3 祂赦免你的一切罪孽,醫治你的一切疾病。
4 祂救贖你的命脫離死亡,以仁愛和慈悲為你的冠冕。
5 祂用美物使你所願的得以知足,以致你如鷹返老還童。

6 耶和華施行公義,為一切受屈的人申冤。
7 祂使摩西知道祂的法則,叫以色列人曉得祂的作為。
8 耶和華有憐憫,有恩典,不輕易發怒,且有豐盛的慈愛。
9 他不長久責備,也不永遠懷怒。
10 他沒有按我們的罪過待我們,也沒有照我們的罪孽報應我們。
11 天離地何等的高,他的慈愛向敬畏他的人也是何等的大。
12 東離西有多遠,他叫我們的過犯離我們也有多遠。
13 父親怎樣憐恤他的兒女,耶和華也怎樣憐恤敬畏他的人。


【心得分享】你是否曾經向自己說話?當你在面對人生的低谷的時候,你是否曾經鼓勵你自己要來稱頌耶和華?在今天的詩篇中,大衛一開始就講到「我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華;凡在我裡面的,也要稱頌祂的聖名!」似乎大衛的心也需要一些的鼓勵才能向 神發出感恩。大衛提醒自己不可忘記耶和華 神的一切恩惠。祂是如何赦免他一切的罪孽,醫治他的一切疾病;不僅僅救贖他的命脫離死亡,更以仁愛和慈悲為他的冠冕;還用美物使大衛所願的得以知足,以致大衛能常常如鷹返老還童。當他這樣一一數算 神的恩典,聖靈就開啟他認識了 神的慈愛和憐憫,實在是何等的長闊高深,過於我們能測度!
也許就在今天,你的生活中就有一些的難處,但請不要讓你被自己低沉的心所控制。相反的,我們如大衛一樣,也來告訴自己:「我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華;凡在我裡面的,也要稱頌祂的聖名!我的心哪,你要稱頌耶和華,不可忘記祂的一切恩惠。」

Friday, November 12, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 12

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 12 Psalm 98:1-9 Remembering God’s salvation with a new song
(Memorization Scripture: v. 1,4-5)

1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
For He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.

2 The Lord has made known His salvation;
His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
5 Sing to the Lord with the harp,
With the harp and the sound of a psalm,

6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn;
Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell in it;
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord,
9 For He is coming to judge the earth.
With righteousness He shall judge the world,
And the peoples with equity.

[Sharing] “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory” (v. 1). Our God does marvelous things. His work among the people of Israel is marvelous. Similarly, God accomplished the marvelous work of salvation through His son Jesus, whose name is “wonderful” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is the Incarnate Word. He lived among us and paid our debt on the cross. He was resurrected, and he ascended to the heavens. He will come again and bring judgement. God’s salvation, from beginning to end, is full of marvels.

Not only did God accomplish salvation before the foundation of the world, but every day He brings renewal into our lives. Each day, God delivers us from a fallen world and from our sin nature so that we are not condemned before His righteous judgement. The “new song” flows out of the new experiences we have under God’s saving grace. As it is written, “[Your mercies and compassions] are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23). Day by day, let us take to heart God’s new work in us through His finished salvation and to count His blessings. Let us shout joyfully before Him and sing to Him a new song.


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 12 詩篇98:1-9 用新歌記念 神的救恩
(背誦第1, 4-5節)
1 你們要向耶和華唱新歌!
因為祂行過奇妙的事;
祂的右手和聖臂施行救恩。

2 耶和華發明了祂的救恩,在列邦人眼前顯出公義;
3 記念祂向以色列家所發的慈愛,所憑的信實。
地的四極都看見我們 神的救恩。
4 全地都要向耶和華歡樂;
要發起大聲,歡呼歌頌!
5 要用琴歌頌耶和華,
用琴和詩歌的聲音歌頌祂!

6 用號和角聲,在大君王耶和華面前歡呼!
7 願海和其中所充滿的澎湃;
世界和住在其間的也要發聲。
8 願大水拍手;
願諸山在耶和華面前一同歡呼;
9 因為祂來要審判遍地。祂要按公義審判世界,按公正審判萬民。

【心得分享】「你們要向耶和華唱新歌,因為祂行過奇妙的事;祂右手和聖臂施行救恩。」(1節)我們的 神是獨行奇事的那一位,祂在以色列人身上的作爲是奇妙的,同樣,神藉著祂的兒子主耶穌,在你我身上也成就了奇妙的救恩。主耶穌的名字就是 「奇妙」(賽9:6),祂道成肉身、在地的生活、十架的代贖、復活與升天、再來與審判。 神的救恩,從起頭到末了,都滿了奇妙。
神不單在創世以前已完成了救恩,也在我們生活的每一天施行祂新的拯救,從一切的環境,罪性裏裡面把我們拯救出來,免於 神公義的審判。「新」歌是由我們對 神的救恩有新鮮的經歷而來,「每早晨這都是新的,袮的誠實極其廣大!」(哀 3:23 )。要悉心的捕捉 神的救恩在我們身上新的工作,數算 神的恩典,以此向耶和華歡呼,唱「新」歌。

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 11

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 11 Psalm 51:1-19 Give thanks to God for His mercy and forgiveness
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 10-12,17-18)

A Prayer of Repentance
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

[Sharing] This psalm is the most renown of all prayers of repentance. When Nathan the prophet pointed out David’s sin, David the psalmist came before God with a broken and a contrite heart confessing his sin against God, and asked God for His kindness and mercy, and to cleanse his sin. The psalmist believed that if he (himself) is willing to confess to God and repent in truth, God Himself will “Hide (His) face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.” (v.9) and “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Such a repentant sinner responds in thankfulness when they know the wonderful mercy that has blotted out all of the iniquities: Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods, having great mercy, passing over the transgressions and cleansing all the iniquities by which we have sinned against Him, (so) “that the bones You have broken may rejoice (vv. 7-8).

Furthermore, God not only forgives but gives us a new heart and a new spirit, that we may do His will. David said “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” (vv. 10-11). After offering a broken and contrite heart to God, the psalmist, with boldness and diligence, asked for an obedient spirit. He rejoiced in His salvation again, and never let sin separate him from God (v.12). If we confess and repent in truth, it shows we know God’s grace and aim to bear fruit worthy of repentance.

At the end of the prayer, the psalmist asked blessings for Zion and Jerusalem, that God (shall) build the walls of Jerusalem, to protect the children of God from falling into the net which their enemies have laid, and they therefore would not sin against Him like the psalmist. How amazing this change of life is!


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 11 詩篇51:1-19 為著 神的憐恤和赦免感恩
大衛與拔示巴同室以後,先知拿單來見他;他作這詩,交與伶長。
(背誦10-12, 17-18節)
1 神啊,求袮按袮的慈愛憐恤我,
按袮豐盛的慈悲塗抹我的過犯!
2 求袮將我的罪孽洗除淨盡,並潔除我的罪!
3 因為我知道我的過犯,我的罪常在我面前。
4 我向袮犯罪,唯獨得罪了袮,在袮眼前行了這惡,
以致袮責備我的時候顯為公義,判斷我的時候顯為清正。
5 我是在罪孽裡生的,在我母親懷胎的時候就有了罪。
6 袮所喜愛的是內裡誠實,袮在我隱密處必使我得智慧。
7 求袮用牛膝草潔淨我,我就乾淨;
求袮洗滌我,我就比雪更白。
8 求袮使我得聽歡喜快樂的聲音,使袮所壓傷的骨頭可以踴躍。
9 求袮掩面不看我的罪,塗抹我一切的罪孽。
10 神啊,求袮為我造清潔的心,使我裡面重新有正直的靈。
11 不要丟棄我,使我離開袮的面,不要從我收回袮的聖靈。
12 求袮使我仍得救恩之了樂,賜我樂意的靈扶持我。

13 我就把袮的道指教有過犯的人,罪人必歸順袮。
14 神啊,袮是拯救我的 神;
求袮救我脫離流人血的罪!
我的舌頭就高聲歌唱袮的公義。
15 主啊,求袮使我嘴唇張開,
我的口便傳揚讚美袮的話!
16 袮本不喜愛祭物,若喜愛,我就獻上;
燔祭,袮也不喜悅。
17 神所要的祭就是憂傷的靈;
神啊,憂傷痛悔的心,袮必不輕看。
18 求袮隨袮的美意善待錫安, 建造耶路撒冷的城牆。

19 那時,袮必喜愛公義的祭和燔祭並全牲的燔祭;
那時,人必將公牛獻在袮壇上。

【心得分享】這是七篇懺悔詩裡最著名的一篇。大衛在先知拿單指出他的罪時,憂傷、痛悔地到 神面前承認自己得罪了 神,求 神賜下慈愛和憐恤,赦免、潔淨他的罪。詩人相信只要願意向 神真心認罪悔改,祂就「掩面不看我的罪,塗抹我一切的罪孽。」(9節)「依 神的意思憂愁,就生出沒有後悔的懊悔來,以致得救。」 (林後7:10)一個犯下重罪的人(4節),在這個時刻,不僅是滿心的懊悔,也一定是充滿了感恩。有何 神像我們的 神這樣有豐盛的憐憫和赦罪之恩,願意塗抹、潔淨我們一切已犯的罪,並且使我們原本因受定罪而壓傷的骨頭都可以再起來踴躍!(7-8節)
更沒想到的,是 神還要賜給我們新心和新靈,使我們可以遵行祂的旨意。大衛呼求說,「神啊,求袮為我造清潔的心,使我裡面重新有正直的靈。不要丟棄我,使我離開袮的面,不要從我收回袮的聖靈。」(10-11節)在獻上憂傷痛悔的心為祭物之後,詩人坦然而且迫切地祈求一個樂意順服的靈,他要重新以 神的救恩為樂,再也不讓罪使他與 神分離。(12節)一個真正憂傷痛悔的人,一定是一個認識恩典的人,也一定是曉得用實際的改變來證實他的悔改的人。(13-17節)
最後,詩人不忘記為錫安與耶路撒冷求祝福,求 神來建造耶路撒冷的城牆,保護 神的兒女不像他自己一樣陷在仇敵的網羅裡而得罪 神。何等的感恩,如此生命的轉變。

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 10

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 10 Psalm 32:1-11 Forgiveness turns Into thankfulness
(Memorization Scripture: vv.5- 7)

1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
7 You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

[Sharing] Today do you know the joy of being truly, completely forgiven? Once you were bound in sin, crushed in iniquity, and enslaved under the heavy load of your flesh and rebellion. And just as our merciful Father forgave us when Jesus was bound to the cross for our sin and was crushed for our iniquities, so too, His grace is available now as you acknowledge your sin before Him. Oh, what daily joy and thanksgiving is ours in being able to talk to God in confession and to be graciously delivered from sin! Don’t groan through today under sin’s heavy weight but come rest in your Lord who will deliver and preserve you. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous. And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 10 詩篇 32:1-11 因罪得赦免而有的感恩
(背誦第5-7節)
1 得赦免其過、遮蓋其罪的,這人是有福的!
2 凡心裡沒有詭詐,耶和華不算為有罪的,這人是有福的!
3 我閉口不認罪的時候,因終日唉哼而骨頭枯乾。
4 黑夜白日,袮的手在我身上沉重,我的精液耗盡,如同夏天的乾旱。(細拉)
5 我向袮陳明我的罪,不隱瞞我的惡。
我說「我要向耶和華承認我的過犯」,袮就赦免我的罪惡。(細拉)
6 為此,凡虔誠人都當趁袮可尋找的時候禱告袮,大水泛溢的時候,必不能到祂那裡。
7 袮是我藏身之處,袮必保佑我脫離苦難,以得救的樂歌四面環繞我。(細拉)

8 我要教導你,指示你當行的路,我要定睛在你身上勸誡你。
9 你不可像那無知的騾馬,必用嚼環轡頭勒住牠,不然就不能馴服。
10 惡人必多受苦楚,唯獨倚靠耶和華的,必有慈愛四面環繞他。
11 你們義人應當靠耶和華歡喜快樂,你們心裡正直的人都當歡呼!

【心得分享】你嘗過被 神完全赦免的喜樂嗎?曾經的我們都被罪所捆綁,被惡所壓傷,被肉體和老我所轄制。然而耶穌為我們的罪被釘在十字架上,背負了我們一切的不義。當我們在十架下向 神認罪之時,慈愛的 神赦免的恩典臨到我們。如今我們可以坦然無懼地向 神認罪,與 神交通,並且完全不再受罪的轄制,這實在值得我們每天都歡喜快樂地向 神獻上感恩的!不要再在罪的重擔下唉哼了,到拯救並保全我們的 神面前安息吧!你們義人應當靠耶和華歡喜快樂,你們心裡正直的人都當歡呼!

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 9

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 9 Psalm 30:4-5, 10-12 Thank God for His favor
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 4-5)
4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.


10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;
Lord, be my helper!”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.


[Sharing] Life so often moves in rhythms of peaks and valleys, with our darker days often throwing us into despair, worry, and even bitterness. David does not whitewash his mourning but recognizes that through times of heartache and seasons of refining come thankfulness because the joy of the Lord does come in the morning and His favor lasts a lifetime. Darkness does not last; God sees to that! We can give thanks to God always and forever for turning our mourning into dancing and removing our sackcloth to clothe us in His goodness, all so that we may sing His glory and not be silent.



【感恩月簡介】...

Day 9 詩篇30:4-5, 10-12 感謝 神的恩典乃是一生之久
(背誦4-5節)
4 耶和華的聖民哪,你們要歌頌祂,稱讚祂可記念的聖名。
5 因為,祂的怒氣不過是轉眼之間;祂的恩典乃是一生之久。
一宿雖然有哭泣, 早晨便必歡呼。


10 耶和華啊,求袮應允我,憐恤我! 耶和華啊,求袮幫助我!
11 袮已將我的哀哭變為跳舞, 將我的麻衣脫去,給我披上喜樂,
12 好叫我的靈( - 原文是榮耀)歌頌袮,並不住聲。 耶和華-我的 神啊,我要稱謝袮,直到永遠。

【心得分享】我們的生命中有高山也有低谷。在艱難的日子里,我們會心存憂慮,絕望,甚至苦毒。在這首詩篇中,大衛絲毫沒有粉飾他的哀痛,他知道我們這群蒙恩的子民,即使是與慈愛的 神立約,也會經歷心碎與試煉。但他更知道 神所賜的喜樂每早晨都是新鮮,祂的恩典乃是一生之久! 神看顧我們,所以黑暗總會過去。因此就算是在苦難中,我們也可以有真實的感恩。讓我們學習在任何的環境中都把感恩歸給 神,因為祂會將我們的哀哭變為跳舞,將我們的麻衣脫去,給我們披上喜樂。 讓我們都來歌頌祂,並不住聲!

Monday, November 8, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 8

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 8 Psalms 107:1-9 Give thanks for His salvation and promises
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 8-9)
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
3 And gathered out of the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And He led them forth by the right way,
That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.


[Sharing] The psalmist says that each one who received grace should give thanks to God. By counting the grace of God, we should be reminded that He is good, and His mercy endures forever. He saved us from enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us, and He led us the right way, so that we would not be lost in the wilderness. Also out of His love, He promised that “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
Yes, all we like sheep have gone astray, it is He that found us in the wasteland, a howling wilderness. He encircled us with love, He instructed us, He kept us as the apple of His eye. And also He poured out His soul and became the bread of life for us. As Jesus said “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 8 詩篇107:1-9 因 神慈愛的救贖和應許稱謝祂
(背誦8-9節)
1「你們要稱謝耶和華,因祂本為善,祂的慈愛永遠長存!」
2 願耶和華的贖民說這話,就是祂從敵人手中所救贖的,
3 從各地,從東從西,從南從北所招聚來的。
4 他們在曠野荒地漂流,尋不見可住的城邑,
5 又飢又渴,心裡發昏。
6 於是他們在苦難中哀求耶和華,祂從他們的禍患中搭救他們。
7 又領他們行走直路,使他們往可居住的城邑。
8 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和祂向人所行的奇事都稱讚祂!
9 因祂使心裡渴慕的人得以知足,使心裡飢餓的人得飽美物。


【心得分享】 詩人呼籲每一個蒙恩的人都要來稱謝耶和華,藉著數算 神的恩典提醒我們,我們的 神本為善,祂的慈愛永遠長存! 神曾救贖我們脫離仇敵的手,領我們行走直路,不在曠野漂流。又因愛應許我們,凡心裡渴慕尋求祂的人都得飽足。
是的,我們也都曾如羊走迷,是祂把我們從曠野荒涼野獸吼叫之地找回,用愛環繞我們,看顧我們,保護我們,如同保護眼中的瞳人。祂又將自己的生命傾倒,成為我們生命的糧,正如耶穌所說:「我就是生命的糧。到我這裡來的,必定不餓;信我的,永遠不渴。」(約6:35)

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 7

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 7 Psalm 92:1-15 Giving thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness and faithfulness
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 12-15)

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
3 On an instrument of ten strings,
On the lute,
And on the harp,
With harmonious sound.
4 For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands.
5 O Lord, how great are Your works!
Your thoughts are very deep.
6 A senseless man does not know,
Nor does a fool understand this.
7 When the wicked spring up like grass,
And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
It is that they may be destroyed forever.
8 But You, Lord, are on high forevermore.
9 For behold, Your enemies, O Lord,
For behold, Your enemies shall perish;
All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
10 But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox;
I have been anointed with fresh oil.
11 My eye also has seen my desire on my enemies;
My ears hear my desire on the wicked
Who rise up against me.
12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing,
15 To declare that the Lord is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.


[Sharing] These two years have been particularly challenging, but we are still invited to “declare [His] lovingkindness in the morning, and [His] faithfulness every night.” If we begin each day with praises and thanksgiving towards God, our focus turns from the burdens and pressures of life to our loving Lord. We are then able to enjoy His lovingkindness and blessings, and to experience His amazing work. And just suppose, at the end of each day, if we would come before God again to reflect on how He has led us through the day by the integrity of His heart and the skillfulness of His hands, oh our gratitude would overflow!
Let’s learn to speak the words of faith and love in the name of Jesus to ourselves and our companions: “We shall flourish like palm trees, grow like cedars in Lebanon, still bear fruit and be fresh and flourishing in old age.” How blessed our lives will be!


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 7 詩篇92:1-15 因為耶和華的慈愛、信實、正直稱謝祂
(背誦12-15節)
1 稱謝耶和華! 歌頌袮至高者的名!
2-3 用十弦的樂器和瑟,用琴彈幽雅的聲音,早晨傳揚袮的慈愛,每夜傳揚袮的信實,這本為美事。
4 因袮耶和華藉著袮的作為叫我高興,我要因袮手的工作歡呼。
5 耶和華啊,袮的工作何其大!袮的心思極其深!
6 畜類人不曉得,愚頑人也不明白:
7 惡人茂盛如草,一切作孽之人發旺的時候,正是他們要滅亡,直到永遠。
8 唯袮耶和華是至高,直到永遠。
9 耶和華啊,袮的仇敵都要滅亡,一切作孽的也要離散。
10袮卻高舉了我的角,如野牛的角;我是被新油膏了的。
11 我眼睛看見仇敵遭報,我耳朵聽見那些起來攻擊我的惡人受罰。
12 義人要發旺如棕樹,生長如黎巴嫩的香柏樹。
13 他們栽於耶和華的殿中,發旺在我們 神的院裡。
14 他們年老的時候仍要結果子,要滿了汁漿而常發青,
15 好顯明耶和華是正直的,祂是我的磐石,在祂毫無不義。


【心得分享】這兩年對我們每一人來說都不容易,但我們仍要「早晨傳揚 神的慈愛,每夜傳揚 神的信實」。當我們用向 神的感謝和讚美來開始一天的生活的時候,我們的注意力不知不覺地就從所要面對的壓力和重擔上,轉移到這位慈愛的主的的身上。這可以幫助我們在一天的生活中,更多地來享受祂的慈愛和眷顧,經歷祂奇妙的作為。而當一天結束的時候,我們再一次來到 神的面前來回想 神是怎樣按著祂心中的純正和手中的巧妙,來帶領我們這一天的時候,我們的感恩將更加滿溢!
讓我們學習奉耶穌基督的名來對自己及基督身體說信心和盼望的話:『我們要發旺如棕樹,生長如黎巴嫩的香柏樹,到年老的時候仍要結果子,要滿了汁漿而常發青,這是何等蒙福的人生!』

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 7

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 7 Psalm 92:1-15 Giving thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness and faithfulness
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 12-15)

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
3 On an instrument of ten strings,
On the lute,
And on the harp,
With harmonious sound.
4 For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands.
5 O Lord, how great are Your works!
Your thoughts are very deep.
6 A senseless man does not know,
Nor does a fool understand this.
7 When the wicked spring up like grass,
And when all the workers of iniquity flourish,
It is that they may be destroyed forever.
8 But You, Lord, are on high forevermore.
9 For behold, Your enemies, O Lord,
For behold, Your enemies shall perish;
All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
10 But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox;
I have been anointed with fresh oil.
11 My eye also has seen my desire on my enemies;
My ears hear my desire on the wicked
Who rise up against me.
12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing,
15 To declare that the Lord is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.


[Sharing] These two years have been particularly challenging, but we are still invited to “declare [His] lovingkindness in the morning, and [His] faithfulness every night.” If we begin each day with praises and thanksgiving towards God, our focus turns from the burdens and pressures of life to our loving Lord. We are then able to enjoy His lovingkindness and blessings, and to experience His amazing work. And just suppose, at the end of each day, if we would come before God again to reflect on how He has led us through the day by the integrity of His heart and the skillfulness of His hands, oh our gratitude would overflow!
Let’s learn to speak the words of faith and love in the name of Jesus to ourselves and our companions: “We shall flourish like palm trees, grow like cedars in Lebanon, still bear fruit and be fresh and flourishing in old age.” How blessed our lives will be!


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 7 詩篇92:1-15 因為耶和華的慈愛、信實、正直稱謝祂
(背誦12-15節)
1 稱謝耶和華! 歌頌袮至高者的名!
2-3 用十弦的樂器和瑟,用琴彈幽雅的聲音,早晨傳揚袮的慈愛,每夜傳揚袮的信實,這本為美事。
4 因袮耶和華藉著袮的作為叫我高興,我要因袮手的工作歡呼。
5 耶和華啊,袮的工作何其大!袮的心思極其深!
6 畜類人不曉得,愚頑人也不明白:
7 惡人茂盛如草,一切作孽之人發旺的時候,正是他們要滅亡,直到永遠。
8 唯袮耶和華是至高,直到永遠。
9 耶和華啊,袮的仇敵都要滅亡,一切作孽的也要離散。
10袮卻高舉了我的角,如野牛的角;我是被新油膏了的。
11 我眼睛看見仇敵遭報,我耳朵聽見那些起來攻擊我的惡人受罰。
12 義人要發旺如棕樹,生長如黎巴嫩的香柏樹。
13 他們栽於耶和華的殿中,發旺在我們 神的院裡。
14 他們年老的時候仍要結果子,要滿了汁漿而常發青,
15 好顯明耶和華是正直的,祂是我的磐石,在祂毫無不義。


【心得分享】這兩年對我們每一人來說都不容易,但我們仍要「早晨傳揚 神的慈愛,每夜傳揚 神的信實」。當我們用向 神的感謝和讚美來開始一天的生活的時候,我們的注意力不知不覺地就從所要面對的壓力和重擔上,轉移到這位慈愛的主的的身上。這可以幫助我們在一天的生活中,更多地來享受祂的慈愛和眷顧,經歷祂奇妙的作為。而當一天結束的時候,我們再一次來到 神的面前來回想 神是怎樣按著祂心中的純正和手中的巧妙,來帶領我們這一天的時候,我們的感恩將更加滿溢!
讓我們學習奉耶穌基督的名來對自己及基督身體說信心和盼望的話:『我們要發旺如棕樹,生長如黎巴嫩的香柏樹,到年老的時候仍要結果子,要滿了汁漿而常發青,這是何等蒙福的人生!』

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 6

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 6 Psalm 119:57-64 Giving thanks to God because of His words
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 62-64)

57 You are my portion, O Lord;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
59 I thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.


[Sharing] The psalmist rises to give thanks to God for His words at midnight! How we admire his deep understanding and thirst for God’s words. We experience the blessing and grace of God by following His words. Not only do His words lead our path, but they also set us free from the cords of the wicked. Let us give God thanks for His words, desire His words, be joyful with His words, and obey His commands. And as we do we will find ourselves lost in His immense mercy and love. “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10a)


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 6 詩篇119:57-64 為著 神的話稱謝祂
(背誦62-64節)
57 耶和華是我的福分,我曾說,我要遵守袮的言語。
58 我一心求過袮的恩,願袮照袮的話憐憫我。
59 我思想我所行的道,就轉步歸向袮的法度。
60 我急忙遵守袮的命令,並不遲延。
61 惡人的繩索纏繞我,我卻沒有忘記袮的律法。
62 我因袮公義的典章,半夜必起來稱謝袮。
63 凡敬畏袮、守袮訓詞的人,我都與他做伴。
64 耶和華啊,袮的慈愛遍滿大地,求袮將袮的律例教訓我。


【心得分享】 詩人因著 神的話能在黑夜裡稱謝耶和華,讓我們看見詩人對 神的話有何等的認識和體會。因著遵守 神的話,經歷到耶和華是我們的福分和恩典。祂的話不單指引我們前面的道路,也救我們脫離惡人的繩索。讓我們爲著 神的話稱謝祂,以 神的話爲樂、愛慕 神的話、遵行 神的話。以至於沉浸在主那豐滿的慈愛中。「你们若遵守我的命令,就常在我的愛裡。」(約15:10a)

Friday, November 5, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 5

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 5 Psalm 65:5, 9-13 Being thankful for God's abundant provision
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 11-13)
5 By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us,
O God of our salvation,
You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth,
And of the far-off seas;
...
9 You visit the earth and water it,
You greatly enrich it;
The river of God is full of water;
You provide their grain,
For so You have prepared it.
10 You water its ridges abundantly,
You settle its furrows;
You make it soft with showers,
You bless its growth.
11 You crown the year with Your goodness,
And Your paths drip with abundance.
12 They drop on the pastures of the wilderness,
And the little hills rejoice on every side.
13 The pastures are clothed with flocks;
The valleys also are covered with grain;
They shout for joy, they also sing.


[Sharing] Although David’s life is filled with countless persecutions and oppressions, at the same time, he profoundly experienced God’s salvation, preservation and provision. That’s why he can praise God with a heart full of gratitude and say: God our Savior, you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas (v. 5)! Looking at nature created by God, the psalmist then vividly portrays God's grace and writes: ``You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance (v. 11).” Going through the pandemic and social unrest since last year, shall we not praise Him more and more for His protection and provision, pursuing our real satisfaction through gaining Christ? When we think of God’s abundant grace on us day in and day out, year after year, we cannot help but accept the invitation of the psalmist - to thank the great God and His abundant supply and blessings together with the rivers, paths, wilderness, meadows, hills, and flocks.


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 5 詩篇65:5,9-13 因著 神是豐盛供應我們的 神而感恩
(背誦11-13節)
5 拯救我們的 神啊,袮必以威嚴秉公義應允我們;
袮本是一切地極和海上遠處的人所倚靠的。

9 袮眷顧地,降下透雨,使地大得肥美。
神的河滿了水;袮這樣澆灌了地,好為人預備五穀。
10 袮澆透地的溝,潤平脊,降甘霖,使地軟和;
其中發長的,蒙袮賜福。
11 袮以恩典為年歲的冠冕;
袮的路徑都滴下脂油,
12 滴在曠野的草場上。
小山以歡樂束腰;
13 草場以羊群為衣;
谷中也長滿了五穀。
這一切都歡呼歌唱。


【心得分享】 大衛的一生充滿了無數的逼迫患難。同時,他也非常深刻地經歷了 神親自的拯救、保守和供應。所以,他以感恩的心讚美 神:「袮本是一切地極和海上遠處的人所倚靠的。」(v5) 接著,詩人環顧 神所創造的大自然,以及 神所賜予的雨水、五穀、牲畜...,便生動地描繪出 神的恩典:「袮以恩典為年歲的冠冕;袮的路徑都滴下脂油。」(v11) 親愛的弟兄姐妹,經歷了過去兩年來特別的環境與挑戰,我們是否更要感謝祂的保守與供應,都更寶貝祂、並以得著基督為我們真正的滿足?想到 神的恩典在我們身上,日復一日、年復一年,你我是否也忍不住要接受詩人的邀請 —— 與江河、路徑、曠野、草場、小山、羊群等一同來稱謝 神和祂豐盛的供應與眷顧?

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 4

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 4 Psalm 8:1-9 Being thankful since God is mindful of us
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 1-4)
1 O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?

5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6-8 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

[Sharing] As the psalmist looks to the divinely created heavens, we are given a glimpse of God’s omnipotence and wisdom, and we are compelled to give thanks for His love. Even more, we cannot help but admit our insignificance. Indeed, what is man that God is mindful of him! God says, “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7). If we cannot take this to heart, we would not be able to understand why God has entrusted us with ruling over His creation. Furthermore, we would find this unfathomable: that after man gave into Satan’s temptation, God sent His only Son as a man to give His life as ransom so that a new people would be brought forth. The first created man was not able to complete God’s charge, but the last Adam, Jesus Christ, has received honor and glory as His crown (Hebrews 2:9), and all things are under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:27, Ephesians 1:22). Therefore, let’s praise the Lord for His precocious salvation upon us through our faith and thank Him for making Jesus Christ reign over our lives and having restored His glorious plan of mission for us since His creation.



【感恩月簡介】...

Day 4 詩篇8:1-9 因著 神是顧念我們的 神而感恩
(背誦1-4節)
1 耶和華-我們的主啊,袮的名在全地何其美!
袮將袮的榮耀彰顯於天。
2 袮因敵人的緣故,從嬰孩和吃奶的口中,
建立了能力,使仇敵和報仇的閉口無言。
3 我觀看袮指頭所造的天,並袮所陳設的月亮星宿,
4 便說:人算甚麼,袮竟顧念祂!世人算甚麼,袮竟眷顧他!

5 袮叫他比天使微小一點,並賜他榮耀、尊貴為冠冕。
6-8 袮派他管理袮手所造的,
使萬物,就是一切的牛羊、田野的獸、空中的鳥、海裏的魚,
凡經行海道的,都服在他的腳下。
9 耶和華-我們的主啊, 袮的名在全地何其美!

【心得分享】詩人觀看 神所創造的天,不僅看見祂的全能和智慧,感恩祂的慈愛,更是忍不住承認自己的卑微。是的,人算什麼, 神竟然這樣眷顧他! 神說,「凡稱為我名下的人,是我為自己的榮耀創造的,是我所做成,所造作的。」(賽43:7) 我們若看不見這個點,就不能明白為什麼 神賦予我們使命來管理祂所造的;更不能明白為什麼人跟從撒旦的誘惑墮落之後, 神要使祂的獨生子成為人的樣式,捨命完成救贖,開啟了新造的族類!的確,第一個受造的人沒有完成 神的託付。而末後的亞當,耶穌基督,卻得了尊貴、榮耀為冠冕(來2:9),萬有都服在祂腳下(林前15:27,弗1:22)。為此,讓我們寶貝這因信就能從祂蒙受的救恩,也更感謝耶穌基督在我們生命中作王,恢復 神起初就賦予我們的榮耀使命。

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 3

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 3 Psalm 7:1,3-6,8-11,17 Being thankful for God's righteous judgment
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 8-10, 17)

1. O Lord my God, in You I put my trust;
Save me from all those who persecute me;
And deliver me
...
3 O Lord my God, if I have done this:
If there is iniquity in my hands,
4 If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me,
Or have plundered my enemy without cause,
5 Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me;
Yes, let him trample my life to the earth,
And lay my honor in the dust. Selah
6 Arise, O Lord, in Your anger;
Lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies;
Rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded!
...
8 The Lord shall judge the peoples;
Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness,
And according to my integrity within me.
9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end,
But establish the just;
For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.
10 My defense is of God,
Who saves the upright in heart.

11 God is a just judge,
And God is angry with the wicked every day.
...
17 I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.


[Sharing] David comes before the Lord and tells of his sufferings, how his enemies' slander and persecutions are like a lion tearing him apart, with none to deliver. However, even in such difficult circumstances he first asks God to assess his uprightness, to see if there is iniquity in his hands. Only then does he pray to God: "Lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies". Furthermore, David praises the Lord for he knows that He judges justly, tests the hearts and minds, and saves the upright in heart. When we encounter malicious slander or harsh criticism, do not forget that our God is a God who judges justly. He is angry with the wicked and saves the upright in heart. Therefore, Paul says in Romans 12:19: "19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord." Let’s pray for ourselves that we all walk along His path of righteousness and also for America that the Lord may lead and bless this country continuously with His righteousness.


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 3 詩篇7:1,3-6,8-11,17 因著 神是公義的 神而感恩
(背誦8-10, 17節)
1 耶和華我的 神啊,我投靠袮,
求袮救我脫離一切追趕我的人,將我救拔出來,

3 耶和華我的 神啊,我若行了這事,若有罪孽在我手裡,
4 我若以惡報那與我交好的人…,
5 就任憑仇敵追趕我,直到追上,
將我的性命踏在地下,使我的榮耀歸於灰塵!(細拉)
6 耶和華啊,求你在怒中起來,
挺身而立,抵擋我敵人的暴怒!
求袮為我興起!袮已經命定施行審判!

8 耶和華向眾民施行審判。
耶和華啊,求袮按我的公義和我心中的純正判斷我。
9 願惡人的惡斷絕,願袮堅立義人,
因為公義的 神察驗人的心腸肺腑。
10 神是我的盾牌,祂拯救心裡正直的人。

11 神是公義的審判者,又是天天向惡人發怒的 神。

17 我要照耶和華的公義稱謝祂, 歌頌耶和華至高者的名。

【心得分享】大衛到 神面前陳述自己的苦情,仇敵的譭謗攻擊好像曠野兇惡的獅子要將他撕碎,卻無人搭救他。在艱難的環境中他首先求 神鑑察他的正直,有無罪孽在手裡,然後呼求神“為我興起”,抵擋仇敵的惡行。不但如此,大衛稱謝耶和華,因為他知道耶和華是按公義向眾民施行審判的 神,祂察驗人的心腸肺腑,拯救心裡正直的人。當我們遭遇惡意的毀謗、無情的批評落在艱難困苦的環境時,不要忘記我們的 神是按公義向眾民施行審判的 神,祂向惡人發怒,卻要堅立義人。所以,保羅說:“親愛的弟兄,不要自己申冤,寧可讓步,聽憑主怒;因為經上記著:「主說:申冤在我,我必報應。」” (羅12:19) 讓我們也特別為當下的自己禱告,行在祂的義路之上;也為美國禱告,求祂以公義來引導和祝福這個國家。

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 2

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...


Day 2: Psalm 23:1-6 Being thankful for the Lord our shepherd
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 1-6)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.


[Sharing] What a glorious message that the Lord is our loving shepherd! Our God is the one who provides us sufficiently in time so that we do not lack anything. He leads us to the green pastures when we are hungry. He guides us to the still waters when we are weary. When we died in sin and transgressions, He restored our souls and leads us in the paths of righteousness. Even though sometimes we do walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we do not have to fear, because the Lord Himself is always with us. He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, so that we can always enjoy His grace regardless of any difficulties. Moreover, He anoints our heads with oil, and our cup runs over. Goodness and mercy follows us throughout our lives all because the amazing God is our great shepherd. Let’s all trust Him, follow His guidance, enjoy His presence, and have the real rest and satisfaction in Him, that is, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. Let’s give all the praise and thanks to our amazing shepherd!


【感恩月簡介】...

Day 2 詩篇23:1-6 因著 神是我們的牧者而感恩
(背誦1-6)
1 耶和華是我的牧者,我必不致缺乏。
2 祂使我躺臥在青草地上,領我在可安歇的水邊。
3 祂使我的靈魂甦醒,為自己的名引導我走義路。
4 我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷,也不怕遭害,因為袮與我同在,袮的杖、袮的竿都安慰我。
5 在我敵人面前,袮為我擺設筵席,袮用油膏了我的頭,使我的福杯滿溢。
6 我一生一世必有恩惠、慈愛隨著我,我且要住在耶和華的殿中,直到永遠。


【心得分享】何等榮耀的信息,這位耶和華 神竟然是愛我的牧者。耶和華是一位及時供應我們的 神,因此我們一無缺乏。在我們飢餓無力的時候,祂領我們到豐盛的青草地;在我們疲乏困倦的時候,祂領我們到可安歇的水邊;在我們死在罪惡過犯中的時候,祂使我們的靈魂甦醒,引導我們一生走義路;有時雖然經過死蔭的幽谷,也不怕遭害,因為耶和華 神親自與我們同在;在敵人面前,祂為我們擺設筵席,使我們享恩如恆,且用油膏我們的頭,使我們的福杯滿溢。因著這位偉大的牧者,我們的一生都有恩惠慈愛來伴隨我們。就讓我們都來信靠祂,跟隨祂的帶領,享受祂的同在, 從祂得著真正的安息與滿足 - 住在耶和華的殿中,直到永遠! 感謝讚美這位偉大的牧者!

Monday, November 1, 2021

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 1

Introduction...


Giving Thanks to God For Who He Is
Day 1 Psalm 136:1-9 Giving thanks to God for His Creation
(Memorization Scripture: vv. 1-3)
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:
4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;
5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever;
6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever;
7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever—
8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever.

[Sharing] If we look upon God’s wondrous creation with humble hearts, we will gasp with admiration. But if our hearts are yet more humble, we will see within His wondrous creation His wondrous love. These verses call Him the God of gods and the Lord of lords: they speak to His goodness, His doing of great wonders, and His wisdom, and they provoke us to ponder His power, His creation, and His wholeness. Their central message is but one: we are to give thanks to the Lord for His mercy endures forever! Entering the thanksgiving month of this year, let’s pray that the Lord put His “salve”, the Holy Spirit, on our eyes (Rev. 3:18) so that we may see clearly that only God never

【簡介】...

因著 神的所是稱謝 神
Day 1 詩篇136:1-9 因著 神是創造的 神而稱謝
(背誦1-3節)
1 你們要稱謝耶和華,因祂本為善,祂的慈愛永遠長存!
2 你們要稱謝萬神之神,因祂的慈愛永遠長存!
3 你們要稱謝萬主之主,因祂的慈愛永遠長存!

4 稱謝那獨行大奇事的,因祂的慈愛永遠長存!
5 稱謝那用智慧造天的,因祂的慈愛永遠長存!
6 稱謝那鋪地在水以上的,因祂的慈愛永遠長存!
7 稱謝那造成大光的,因祂的慈愛永遠長存!
8 祂造日頭管白晝,因祂的慈愛永遠長存!
9 祂造月亮星宿管黑夜,因祂的慈愛永遠長存!

【心得分享】我們若是存謙卑的心,看見 神奇妙的創造,一定很自然的湧出驚嘆!若是再謙卑一點,就還要看見 神在創造中向我們所顯的慈愛。這幾節經文稱耶和華為萬 神之 神,萬主之主;提到 神的善、神的獨行大奇事、神的智慧;讓人思想祂的能力、祂的設計、祂的周全...。中心就是要我們稱謝耶和華,因祂的慈愛永遠長存! 在邁入今年感恩月的伊始,禱告主以聖靈為眼藥擦我們的眼睛,讓我們能看見(啟3:18)—看到萬事萬物都會改變,唯有 神永不改變,且祂的慈愛永遠長存。也因為這樣的看見,讓我們都能把 神當作 神,把祂配得的感謝與讚美都歸給祂。