Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 15

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

EZK.40
JHN.14

2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 15:
Giving Thanks for God’s Choice of Zion as His Eternal Dwelling (Psalm 132:13-18)
(Memorize verses 13-14)
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:
14 “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”

Reflection:
God is not only the One Who accepts our offerings, but He is also the God Who has chosen Zion as His dwelling place. Let’s take special note of the phrases “the Lord has chosen Zion” and “desired it for His dwelling place.” Both “chosen” and “desired” are powerful words, expressing how much God loves and values Zion, how deeply He is determined to establish His dwelling there, and that this is His “resting place forever!” The Israelites were often rebellious, weak, and prone to failure, yet God still chose and established them, making them Zion, the place of His temple and throne, where they could experience His abundance, glory, and victory. How grateful we are to know that Zion points to the Church today, and thus it points to you and me. Lord, please open our eyes further to see the grace and glory of Your choice: that You chose Zion as Your eternal dwelling, the Church as Your Body, and us as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)! Yes, may we, along with all Your people, spend our lives in thanksgiving and praise for the grace of being “chosen” and for Your loving “desire” to dwell among us. Amen!



年度讀經計畫

結40
約14

2024感恩月Day 15
為 神揀選錫安作為自己永遠的居所感恩 （詩132:13-18）
（背誦經文13-14節）
13因為耶和華揀選了錫安，
願意當作自己的居所，
14說：這是我永遠安息之所；
我要住在這裏，
因為是我所願意的。
15我要使其中的糧食豐滿，
使其中的窮人飽足。
16我要使祭司披上救恩，
聖民大聲歡呼！
17我要叫大衛的角在那裏發生；
我為我的受膏者預備明燈。
18我要使他的仇敵披上羞恥；
但他的冠冕要在頭上發光。

【心得分享】神不僅是悅納我們奉獻的 神，更是揀選錫安作為祂居所的 神。我們特別注意詩句「耶和華揀選了錫安，願意當作自己的居所」中「揀選」和「願意」都是有極強烈語氣的詞彙，表明 神多麼地愛錫安、在意錫安，多麼地定意和執意要在其中設立自己的居所，並且是作為祂的「永遠安息之所」！以色列百姓曾經是那樣地悖逆、軟弱、失敗，神仍揀選和建立了他們，成為有祂殿宇和寶座的錫安，承受祂所成就的豐富、榮耀與得勝。何等感恩，這錫安就是指著今天的教會說的，就是指著你我說的。主啊，求你更多地向我們開啟，讓我們看到你揀選錫安做你永遠的居所、揀選教會做你的身體、揀選我們做聖靈的殿（林前6:19）是何等恩典與榮耀的事！是的，就讓我們和眾同伴，用一生來感謝、讚美「揀選」我們的恩典，「願意」居住我們中間的慈愛。阿們！