Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 9

Introduction...

Day 9 Psalms30:4-5, 10-12 Thanks Through it All
（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 here does not whitewash over his mourning but recognizes that though times of heartache and seasons of refining come for us who are in covenant (saints) with the merciful God, there truly is great thankfulness because the joy of the Lord does comes 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. ( Kyle)

【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，你們要歌頌他，稱讚他可記念的聖 名。
5 因為，他的怒氣不過是轉眼之間；他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，求你應允我，憐恤我！ 耶和華啊，求你幫助我！
11 你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)歌頌你，並不住聲。 耶和華－我的 神啊，我要稱謝你，直到永遠


【心得分享】我們的生命中有高山也有低谷。在黑暗的日子里，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。因此即使在苦難中，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！

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 8

Introduction...

Day 8 Psalms 107:1-9
(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)

【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，因他本為善，他的慈愛永遠長存！」
2 願耶和華的贖民說這話，就是他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，他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他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他！
9 因他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）（JZ）

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 7

Introduction...

Day 7 Psalms 92:1-15 Give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness 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.

The psalmist reminds us that giving thanks to the Lord and singing praises to the name of the Most High is good. We are 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 works. 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!

【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! 歌頌你至高者的名!
2-3 用十弦的樂器和瑟，用琴彈幽雅的聲音，早晨傳揚你的慈愛，每夜傳揚你的信實，這本為美事。
4 因你耶和華藉著你的作為叫我高興，我要因你手的工作歡呼。
5 耶和華啊，你的工作何其大！你的心思極其深！
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 唯你耶和華是至高，直到永遠。
9 耶和華啊，你的仇敵都要滅亡，一切作孽的也要離散。
10 你卻高舉了我的角，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，他是我的磐石，在他毫無不義。

【心得分享】詩人在這裡提醒我們稱謝耶和華，歌頌至高者的名本為一件美事。我們需要「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，我們的感激將更加滿溢！
當我們這樣來過每一天的生活的時候，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，何等蒙福的人生！（MC)

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 6

Introduction...

Day 6 Psalm 119：57-64 Give 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.

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 for 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)

【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，我要遵守你的言語。
58 我一心求過你的恩，願你照你的話憐憫我。
59 我思想我所行的道，就轉步歸向你的法度。
60 我急忙遵守你的命令，並不遲延。
61 惡人的繩索纏繞我，我卻沒有忘記你的律法。
62 我因你公義的典章，半夜必起來稱謝你。
63 凡敬畏你、守你訓詞的人，我都與他做伴。
64 耶和華啊，你的慈愛遍滿大地，求你將你的律例教訓我。


【心得分享】 詩人因著 神的話在半夜必起來稱謝耶和華，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）（DX）

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 5

Introduction...

Day 5 Psalm 65:5, 9-13 Experience God's abundant provision

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.

Although David’s life is filled with countless persecutions and oppressions, at the same time, he profoundly experiences 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 (v5)! Looking at the nature created by God as well as the rain, grain, livestock and everything else, the psalmist then vividly portrays God's grace and writes: ``You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance (v11).” 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.

【簡介】...

Day 5 詩篇65：5，9-13 體會神豐盛的供應
(背誦11-13節)
5 拯救我們的 神啊，你必以威嚴秉公義應允我們；
你本是一切地極和海上遠處的人所倚靠的。
…
9 你眷顧地，降下透雨，使地大得肥美。
神的河滿了水；你這樣澆灌了地，好為人預備五穀。
10 你澆透地的溝，潤平脊，降甘霖，使地軟和；
其中發長的，蒙你賜福。
11 你以恩典為年歲的冠冕；
你的路徑都滴下脂油，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，他滿懷感恩地向 神發出讚嘆說，拯救我們的 神啊，袮是一切世人所倚靠的！(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 神的恩典說「你以恩典為年歲的冠冕；你的路徑都滴下脂油。」(v11) 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...，一同來稱謝 神和祂豐盛的供應與眷顧？（EY)

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 4

Introduction...

Day 4 Psalm 7:1,3-6,8-11,17 Be thankful For God's righteous judgment
（Memorization Scripture: vv. 8-9）

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.

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."

【簡介】...

Day 4 詩篇7:1,3-6,8-11,17 因著神公義的判斷而感恩
（背誦8-9節）
1 耶和華我的神啊，我投靠你，
求你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！
求你為我興起！你已經命定施行審判！
…
8 耶和華向眾民施行審判。
耶和華啊，求你按我的公義和我心中的純正判斷我。
9 願惡人的惡斷絕，願你堅立義人，
因為公義的神察驗人的心腸肺腑。
10 神是我的盾牌，他拯救心裡正直的人。
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他， 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，仇敵的譭謗攻擊好象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） （JZ）

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 3

Introduction...

Day 3: Be thankful for the Lord being 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.

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 sins 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 cups run over. Goodness and mercy follow us throughout our lives all because the amazing God is our great shepherd. Let’s all trust Him, follow His guidance, and enjoy His presence, that is, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. Let’s give all the praises and thanks to our amazing shepherd!

【簡介】...

詩篇23：1-6 因著耶和華神是我們的牧者感恩
（背誦1-6）
1 耶和華是我的牧者，我必不致缺乏。
2 他使我躺臥在青草地上，領我在可安歇的水邊。
3 他使我的靈魂甦醒，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，因為你與我同在，你的杖、你的竿都安慰我。
5 在我敵人面前，你為我擺設筵席，你用油膏了我的頭，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 - 住在耶和華的殿中，直到永遠！ 感謝讚美這位偉大的牧者！（MC）