February 28, 2011

Psalm 44 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Matthew 21:12-22, Acts 28:17-31, Leviticus 26-27

Journal Entry

Scripture

v.15 All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face v.16at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.V.17 All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant.V.18 Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way

Observation

Throughout the chapter, I sensed the desparation experienced by the psalmists in time of despair and oppression by the enemy. Although the psalmists cried out that they've done everything to be faithful, God allowed defeats to happen. Although people were sincere in their heart in obedience to God even to their death, enemies conqured over them. Even though it's difficult to understand God's ways and plans, we must accept His ways. We need to be continually faithful when faced with life's most difficult circumstances.

Application

Today's message is one of the toughest challenge for me as I live out my christian life. God is calling us to be faithful and obedient to Him during lowest periods of our life. And in those difficult times, what would be my response? If I were to experience defeat after defeat, failure after failure without experiencing any joy, I wonder if my faith and commitment to God would be unwavering? I know that God would not leave me to be on my own to battle against the world but it may seem like that during extremely difficult and unbearable times. My heart accepts and desires to be faithful always. As Apostle Paul said in Phillippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." I want to begin this day and make it count as Apostle Paul has done and serve God in all circumstances.

Prayer

Lord, I desire to make this day count for you regardless whether the day may be filled with defeats and failures or sucessess.
In Jesus name, Amen

--Esther Koh