1Lord, you are the God who sa...

1Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you.

2May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

3I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death.

4I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength.

5I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.

6You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.

7Your wrath lies heavily on me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.

- P34

The psalmist begins his prayer with the affirmation that God is the God who saves him. But as his lamentation continues, we learn who he attributes his turmoil to: God. - P36

The one that he is crying out to is the one whom he believes has inflicted the pain. God reveals Himself to us in Scripture as the one who creates both prosperity and disaster (see Isa. 45:7). - P36

On the surface, this truth may sting, but there is a certain comfort in knowing whom to appeal to concerning our tragedies. - P36

The author of our faith is also the author of the trials which strengthen that faith. - P36

And as we cry out to Him, He will sustain us while He works all things for the good of those He has called. - P36

Lord, I am prone to see only the darkness, the frailty, or the hopelessness which surround me. - P37

Lend me a heavenly perspective and remind me how You are working all things for Your purposeful and glorious plans. - P37

Sustain me so that I may stand firm in this knowledge. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P37

The psalmist cries out day and night to the God who saves him. He feelsoverwhelmed with troubles, close to death, abandoned, and forgotten.
Friends and loved ones are taken from him, and his eyes are dim with grief.
- P35

He calls out to the Lord every day; he cries out for help but feels rejected. Hefeels swallowed by God‘s wrath and completely alone. - P35

The psalmist now makes a case as to why sparing his life would be in God‘sinterest: if he were to suffer ultimate doom, could he then praise God?  - P36

Hepleads with God to deliver him for the sake of His worship. Within hisdesire for deliverance is a desire to give God praise. The psalmist‘s prayerin his valley of darkness shows us that when we wrestle in prayer, we comeout refined.  - P36

We may not always get the answer we want then and there,
but if our prayers of desperation increase our desire to see God‘s praisesmultiplied, whatever situation led to them is working for our good.  - P36

If ourprayer spurs a resolve to hold on to God even tighter, then such a prayer isreally for our benefit. - P36

"Suffering will only make us better (rather than worse) if, during it, we teach ourselvesto love God better than before."- Timothy Keller - P36

Lord, I am prone to see only the darkness, the frailty, or the hopelessness which surround me. Lend me a heavenly perspective and remind me how You are working all things for Your purposeful and glorious plans. - P37

Sustain me so that I may stand firm in this knowledge. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P37

[오늘의 한문장] 하나님의 시선

Isaiah 6:5, 7 NLT
[5] Then I said, "It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies."
[7] He touched my lips with it and said, "See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven."
- P213

1He has founded his city on t...

1He has founded his city on the holy mountain.

2The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.

- P30

5Indeed, of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her."

6The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: "This one was born in Zion."

7As they make music they will sing, "All my fountains are in you." - P31

We are meant to reside in a beautiful city that reflects God’s glory. When we remember this, it changes the way we live now: we can live with joyful anticipation, less worries about our struggles, and greater assurance that God has a glorious plan for us. - P32

Some may be surprised to see nations that were former enemies of God‘speople recorded in Zion. Although they are from different places, they willbe registered as born in the city. They will have the full rights and privilegesof citizens of Zion. The people will sing and make music, celebrating therefreshment they experience there.  - P32

Sometimes, we focus on the differencesbetween people, which causes division and strife. God does not hold suchprejudices. He does not relegate other nations to a second-class status whenthey willingly acknowledge Him.  - P32

Likewise, may we mirror God‘s heart aswe invite people into His kingdom. Let us not focus on our differences butinstead recognize our fellow citizens of Zion. - P32

Dear God, no city can compare to the glory and magnificence of Zion. Through YourSpirit, guide me in inviting others into Your kingdom without any prejudice so thatall of Your people may worship together in Your city. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P33

May we not allow any physical or cultural barrier to preventus from seeing more of God‘s people in the city of Zion. May we share thegospel freely to all without hesitation because the Spirit often moves in themost unexpected places. - P33

1Hear me, Lord, and answer me...

1Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

2Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;

3have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.

4Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.

5You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.

6Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.

7When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.

- P26

8Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

9All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

10For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

11Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

- P26

12I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

13For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

14Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you.

- P27

15But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.

17Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

- P27

In this beautiful prayer, David affirms his faith in God in trusting humility. He is in distress, but he does not resort to complaining or blaming God for his troubles. Instead, he praises the Lord, declaring that there is none like Him and that no deed can compare to His. - P28

Too often, our hearts and thoughts are fixed on the troubles we face. Instead of remaining in our despair, we can follow David’s example and call to God for help, reminding ourselves that God is unmatched and there is none like Him. - P28

As we praise Him for His greatness and marvelous deeds, our distress will dissipate. Our joy and confidence will be restored as we remember that the powerful and loving God we serve cares for us and guards our lives. - P28

Heavenly Father, I thank you that You care for me and guard my life. When I am in distress, teach me Your ways, so that I can see from Your perspective and be restored in my joy and confidence once again. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P29

[오늘의 한문장] 하나님의 시선

"네가 알기에 마땅히 해야 하는 일을 하라. 지금 당장 하라!" 명령하신 가르침을행하지 않을 때, 우리는 그 결과에 책임을 져야 합니다. 결심은 행동으로 옮기기전까지 아무런 소용이 없습니다. 챔버스는 ‘즉시‘ 결단이 ‘행동‘으로 이어지기를권면합니다. - P208

주님 앞에 빚진 것이 있다면 하루 빨리 해결해야 합니다. 권리를 주장하는 것보다 더 중요한 것은 영원한 생명을 얻기 위해 지금 해야 할 일을 하는 것입니다.
3. 기회가 주어졌을 때 문제를 해결해야 합니다. - P208

주님께서는 먼저 십자가에서 우리와 화해를 이루시고, 우리에게도 원수를 진 형제자매와 화해할 수 있는 은혜의 기회를 주셨습니다.
4. 빨리 고백하고 화해해야 합니다. - P208

한줄노트 신앙은 추상적인 것이 아니라 주님께서 명령하실 때 지금 당장 행해야 하는 실제적인 것입니다.
묵상 질문 우리의 권리가 아니라, 주님의 이름으로 해야 하는 것들이 떠오릅니까? 당장 실천에 옮기십시오. - P208

Matthew 5:26 NLT
[26] And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
- P211