Daily Scripture - Jan 1

Pro.1
Gen.1-2
Matt.1

Daily Scripture:

Romans 8:28-30
（Memorization Scripture 28-30）
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Praising Scripture - Dec 31

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

MAL.3-4
ROM.15-16

2024 31-Day Praising Day 31：

Unceasing Praise (Psalm 134)
(Memory verses: 1-3)

A Song of Ascents.
1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!
3 May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion!

Reflection:
Psalm 134 is the final Song of Ascents, traditionally thought to be sung as the Israelites departed Jerusalem after celebrating the festivals. The psalm reflects a scene of the Levitical priests and worshipers who continue their service in the temple even through the night.
This scene points to the ultimate purpose of the journey of ascents—to form a group of worshipers and watchmen who “stand by night in the house of the Lord.” Even after the festivities end and the daytime noise fades, these servants remain steadfast, praising and watching before the Lord.
Their service is not for human recognition or approval; it is a pure offering unto God. In the stillness of the night, amidst challenges of darkness and weariness, they lift their hands toward the sanctuary, representing the entire house of Israel in faithful service to God. Their devotion is so precious that the psalmist intercedes for them, saying: “May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion!”
Dear brothers and sisters, today marks the conclusion of our church’s months of thanksgiving and praise. Have you gained a deeper understanding of thanksgiving and worship? Have you ascended further in your practice? May we become the “servants of the Lord” who continue to lift our hands and praise Him, even in the night. May our thanksgiving and praise to God be unceasing, and may He accept our offerings with joy and bless us richly from Zion!

Praising Scripture - Dec 30

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

MAL.1-2
ROM.14

2024 31-Day Praising Day 30:

Sing "Hallelujah" to Praise God (Psalm 149:1-9)
(Memory verses: 1-3)

1 Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the godly exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
7 to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishments on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters of iron,
9 to execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the Lord!

Reflection:
Psalm 149 is a Hallelujah psalm that strongly inspires us to rise and praise God. The first five verses call us to “sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly.” God is ever-living and ever-active, working new things among us. He is our Creator, the King who rules over our lives.
This psalm emphasizes that God delights in His people, granting them salvation, peace, and glory. In response, we should offer Him heartfelt and joyful praise—rejoicing, dancing, making music, and singing freely in His presence.
Verses 6-9 speak of a future time when God’s people will participate in His righteous judgment, triumphing over enemies and fulfilling His purposes. This imagery aligns with Revelation, where the church overcomes through the Lamb’s blood and the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11).
Dear brothers and sisters, let us praise God not only for His current work among us but also for the victory He will lead us to in the future. As we reflect on His salvation and promises, let us joyfully obey the psalm’s exhortation: “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!”

Praising Scripture - Dec 29

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

ZEC.13-14
ROM.13

2024 31-Day Praising Day 29:

Sing "Hallelujah" to Praise God (Psalm 146:1-10)
(Memory verses: 3-5)

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!

Reflection:
This Hallelujah psalm delivers a vital message: human beings, including earthly rulers, are not our ultimate source of trust or help. As the psalmist declares: “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.”
True blessedness belongs to those who rely on the God of Jacob, for He alone is the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea. He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the oppressed, providing for the hungry, and liberating the captives.
The psalm beautifully depicts God’s compassion for the vulnerable—He lifts up the bowed down, opens blind eyes, watches over the sojourners, and upholds orphans and widows. In contrast, the paths of the wicked are brought to ruin.
How can we not praise this faithful and merciful God? He chooses to be our help and protection, building and shaping us as His people in Zion.
As those chosen by God to be His people, let us declare with the psalmist: “I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” Let our praise lead us to trust Him more fully, for He alone is our protector, sustainer, and King forever. Hallelujah!

Praising Scripture - Dec 28

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

ZEC.11-12
ROM.12

2024 31-Day Praising Day 28:

Sing "Hallelujah" to Praise God (Psalm 113:1-9)
(Memory verses:1-3)

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!
4 The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

Reflection:
Over the next few days, we will practice praising God with the “Hallelujah” psalms. The opening or closing line of these psalms is often “Praise the Lord!”—a phrase derived from the Hebrew “Hallelujah.” These psalms were traditionally sung by the Israelites during their festivals.
Psalm 113 calls God’s people, especially His servants, to glorify and praise Him. As His people and servants, it is our privilege and duty to praise His name, which is exalted above the earth, and to declare His everlasting glory.
This glorious and exalted God humbles Himself to care for His creation. He raises the poor and lifts the needy, giving them honor and joy. He brings comfort to the barren, making them fruitful and joyous. How can we not bow before Him in worship and gratitude?
God’s compassion transforms our sorrow into joy, wipes away our tears, and crowns us with honor. Truly, He is worthy of our praise! From the rising of the sun to its setting, from now and forevermore, let us praise the Lord!

Praising Scripture - Dec 27

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

ZEC.9-10
ROM.11

2024 31-Day Praising Day 27:

Praise God’s Will (Psalm 40:1-11)
(Memory verses: Psalm 40:5-8)

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.
6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness
will ever preserve me!

Reflection:
In Psalm 40:1-11, David reflects on God’s mighty acts of deliverance and offers heartfelt gratitude and praise. As David recalls his experiences, he marvels at God’s wondrous deeds, exclaiming:“You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! Yet they are more than can be told.”
David sees beyond his trials to recognize God’s guiding hand in all circumstances. This understanding leads him to present his life as a sacrifice, saying:“Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
David understood that the offering God desires most is obedience to His Word and willingness to follow His will. His heartfelt declaration challenges us to consider how we can treasure God’s Word and align our lives with His purposes.
Dear brothers and sisters, may David’s revelation and devotion inspire us. Let us praise God for His good plans for us and confess, as David did, our joy in obeying His will. Additionally, like David, let us boldly proclaim God’s faithfulness in the congregation: “Behold, I have come! ... I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; I have not restrained my lips.” May this psalm lead us to delight in His will, declare His righteousness, and trust in His steadfast love.

Praising Scripture - Dec 26

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

ZEC.7-8
ROM.10

2024 31-Day Praising Day 26:

Praise God’s Resting Place (Psalm 132:1-9)
(Memory verses: Psalm 132:8-9)

1 Remember, O Lord, in David's favor,
all the hardships he endured,
2 how he swore to the Lord
and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3 “I will not enter my house
or get into my bed,
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 until I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool!”
8 Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.

Reflection:
This psalm is David’s prayer after building his palace, expressing his deep desire to build a dwelling place for God. The first half recounts David’s vow to prepare a sanctuary for the Lord, while the latter half (verses 12-18) reveals God’s promise to bless David and his descendants in response to his prayer.
Although David had a grand palace, he found no rest because the Ark of the Covenant—the symbol of God’s presence—had not yet been brought to its rightful resting place in the holy city. This precious psalm reveals David’s heart for God’s presence and the hardships he endured to prepare a resting place for Him.
David’s fervent declaration—refusing sleep until a dwelling for God was found—challenges us today: Do we share this zeal for God to dwell among us in our churches and communities? As we reflect on our own spiritual journey, let us ask whether we have maintained the passion to prepare a space for God’s presence.
In 2005, our church responded to the inspiration from this psalm, acquiring the property at 3131 Bowers. Have we continued to nurture that initial fervor for the Lord since then? Have we grown in our dedication to preparing a better dwelling for Him? May the same spirit that stirred David inspire us today, both individually and as a church, to pray: “Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might! Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy!”

Praising Scripture - Dec 25

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

ZEC.5-6
ROM.9

2024 31-Day Praising Day 25:

Praise God’s House (Psalm 122:1-9)
(Memory verses 1-3)

1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2 Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.

Reflection:
This psalm, a Song of Ascents by David, was sung by Israelites as they journeyed to God’s house during the feasts. It beautifully expresses their love for Jerusalem and the house of the Lord. David’s heart was filled with joy when he heard the call: “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
On one hand, this joy stemmed from seeing God’s grace and steadfast love toward His people. Despite their failures and unworthiness, God remained faithful to His covenant, choosing Jerusalem as the dwelling place of His presence among them. On the other hand, when the people remembered their identity as a people set apart for God, they gladly bore the cost of traveling from all over Israel to Jerusalem for worship, sacrifice, and celebration during the feasts.
As they gathered in the holy city, they were “bound firmly together,” like a city that is well-constructed and unified. When the tribes ascended to the house of the Lord and praised His holy name in unison before His throne, it was a glorious and joyful scene! Hallelujah!
May our hearts be equally stirred to love God and His house, to bless one another, and to build together. Let us also pray earnestly for the church:
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”

Praising Scripture - Dec 24

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

ZEC.3-4
ROM.8

2024 31-Day Praising Day 24:

Praise for God’s Dwelling Place (Psalm 84:1-12)
(Memory verses 1-4)
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Reflection:
This timeless psalm, often called “the sweetest,” was written by the descendants of Korah—a group who once rebelled against God. Their very name bears witness to God’s grace. After enduring shame, suffering, and God’s discipline, they learned to respond to God with renewed and positive devotion.
Even in times of wandering and passing through the “Valley of Baca” (a place of tears), their hearts remained set on the “highways to Zion.” They cherished God’s presence and His dwelling place. With humility, they compared themselves to sparrows and swallows—small and insignificant—yet amazed that such a holy and great God allowed them to find refuge at His sacred altar.
Their love for God’s house was so deep that they declared:
“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
May this psalm awaken in us the same longing for God’s presence and the sweetness of dwelling in His house. Let us cry out with the psalmist:
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”

Praising Scripture - Dec 23

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

ZEC.1-2
ROM.7

2024 Praising Month Day 23：

Praise “The City of God” (Psalm 87:1-7)
(Memory verses 1-3)

1 On the holy mount stands the city He founded;
2 the Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3 Glorious things of you are spoken,
O city of God. Selah
4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—
“This one was born there,” they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her;
for the Most High Himself will establish her.”
6 The Lord records, as He registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah
7 Singers and dancers alike say,
“All my springs are in You.”

Reflection：
This is a psalm written by the descendants of Korah, a song exalting Zion, the holy city of God. Asaph also praises Zion in the Psalms, calling her “the perfection of beauty” (Psalm 50:2). Zion is so beautiful and glorious that she is worthy of praise because she was founded and built by God Himself, and is uniquely loved by Him. “The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob,” for Zion is the place where God reigns, where His throne is established, and where His will is carried out. The “glorious things” spoken of her highlight her divine significance.
These “glorious things” point to God’s eternal purpose: through the sacrificial love of His Son Jesus Christ, salvation has been accomplished. God is gathering a people for Zion, building a glorious church to become His eternal dwelling place. This people of Zion includes not only the chosen Israelites but also people from Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush. Each one is chosen, known by God, and born anew through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! We, who were once strangers to God’s glory, are now made citizens of Zion. We can sing, dance, and joyfully proclaim: “All my springs are in You!” Let us join in singing a song of Zion, expressing true worship and praise, longing for God’s presence, and willingly allowing Him to reign in our lives. May His will be done in us, and may we become His eternal dwelling place!

Praising Scripture - Dec 22

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

HAG.1-2
ROM.6

2024 31-Day Praising Day 22：

Praising God’s Word
Psalm 119:105-112
(Memorize verses 105-108)

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your righteous rules.
107 I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
and teach me your rules.
109 I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end.

Reflection
Psalm 119 is a masterpiece within the Psalms, with its central theme being a call to “delight in the law of the Lord” (Psalm 1:2). It elaborates on the completeness and power of God’s Word from various perspectives. Regarding the Word of God, David boldly proclaims, “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust” (Psalm 56:4, 10). Indeed, if we rely on and praise God, we ought to also rely on and praise His Word, for “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

We are especially thankful and praise Him because His Word is not only something we are called to obey but also something we can experience profoundly. As reflected in today’s passage, the psalmist gives us a timeless declaration: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). To the psalmist, the revealed Word of the Lord is exceedingly precious, becoming his eternal heritage and the joy of his heart.

God’s Word is righteous and just, providing light in a dark world. Therefore, let us, like the psalmist, treasure and uphold God’s Word, affirming that it is our lamp and our light. Even when following His Word brings affliction or hardship, may we still offer praise to Him and His Word, staying true to His commandments and walking in His ways—forever, to the very end!

Praising Scripture - Dec 21

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

ZEP.1-3
ROM.5

2024 31-Day Praising Day 21:

Praise God’s Word (Psalm 19:7-14)
(Memory Verses: 7-11)

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true, and altogether righteous.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is Your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Reflection:
In Psalm 19, David celebrates God’s self-revelation in two ways. Verses 1-6 describe how the heavens, the skies, and the entire universe declare God’s existence and glory. Verses 7-14 shift to focus on God’s Word, His special revelation to us.
David uses six different terms to describe God’s Word: “law,” “testimony,” “precepts,” “commandment,” “fear,” and “rules.” He pairs these with six attributes of God’s Word: “perfect,” “sure,” “right,” “pure,” “clean,” and “true.” Furthermore, he highlights six transformative effects of God’s Word: “reviving the soul,” “making wise the simple,” “rejoicing the heart,” “enlightening the eyes,” “enduring forever,” and being “altogether righteous.”
This extraordinary Word is indeed more desirable than much fine gold and sweeter than honey from the comb. It is life-giving, a guide for our path, and a warning to God’s people. Those who keep His commandments receive “great reward.”
Through this psalm, may we recognize the richness and preciousness of God’s Word. Let us give thanks and praise to Him for the privilege of receiving such a treasure! May we cherish His Word, allowing it to revive our souls and guide us in His ways.

Praising Scripture - Dec 20

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

HAB.1-3
ROM.4

2024 31-Day Praising Day 20:

Praise the Glorious Name of God (Psalm 8:1-9)
(Memory Verses: 1-2)

A Psalm of David. To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.
1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, You have established strength because of Your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place,
4 what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?
5 Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,
7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Reflection:
Psalm 8 beautifully reveals that although humans seem insignificant and unworthy, they are recipients of God’s special care, exaltation, and commission. Humanity is granted salvation, elevated above enemies, entrusted with divine authority, and tasked to steward all creation. The psalm’s central theme is the praise of God’s majestic name, as proclaimed in its opening and closing verses: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!”
Among all created beings, God has uniquely revealed His name to His specially created and redeemed people (Genesis 2:4; Exodus 3:14). The Apostle Peter boldly declared, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). What fills us with gratitude is that God not only remembers and exalts us but also includes us in His name, making us His people, as referenced in Psalm 20:1: “May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!” Hallelujah! How full of grace and glory is His name!
His name reflects His kindness, election, and salvation, as well as His grand plans and marvelous work in shaping us into a people called by His name. He crowns us with the glory and honor He bestows. Let us, therefore, respond with overflowing gratitude and worship, proclaiming: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! How majestic is Your name in our lives!”

Praising Scripture - Dec 19

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

NAH.1-3
ROM.3

2024 31-Day Praising Day 19:

Praise God’s Steadfast Love and Faithfulness (Psalm 117:1-2)
(Memory Verses: 1-2)

1 Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples!
2 For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

Reflection：
Although Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible, it carries profound significance and value. Not only does it mark the center of the entire Scripture, but it is also an exceptionally precious psalm of praise. In just two verses, the psalmist reveals both the breadth and depth of praise. The scope of praise encompasses all nations and peoples, for God is not only the God of the Jews but also the God of the Gentiles (Romans 3:29). Furthermore, the duration of praise is not fleeting but extends across generations and into eternity.
This psalm also clearly states the fundamental reason and central focus of praising God: “For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.” Here, steadfast love (alternatively translated as "mercy") and faithfulness (alternatively translated as "truth") represent God’s revealed attributes and His attitude toward humanity. From Exodus 34:6, when God declared to Moses in glory, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” these divine characteristics have been echoed repeatedly throughout the historical books and prophetic writings, as well as reaffirmed multiple times in the Psalms.
Ultimately, God’s abundant steadfast love and eternal faithfulness were fully accomplished through Jesus Christ, who inaugurated the New Covenant of grace for us. Because of this grace, every time we praise Him, we should not only recognize that He is worthy of praise from all nations and peoples but also specifically extol His steadfast love and faithfulness. He is the covenant-keeping God, who, with unfailing love and victorious truth, has saved us and will continue to save us to the utmost (Hebrews 7:25).
Let us continually praise Him with hearts full of gratitude, giving glory to this loving and faithful God forever and ever.

Praising Scripture - Dec 18

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

MIC.7
ROM.2

2024 31-Day Praising Day 18:

Declare All the Marvelous Works of God (Psalm 9:1-11)
(Memorize Verses 1-2, 7-9)

To the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Death of the Son.” A Psalm of David.
1 I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of 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 turn back,
They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
4 For You have maintained my right and my cause;
You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
5 You have rebuked the nations,
You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 O enemy, destructions are finished forever!
And You have destroyed cities;
Even their memory has perished.
7 But the Lord shall endure forever;
He has prepared His throne for judgment.
8 He shall judge the world in righteousness,
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.
9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.

Reflection:
In Psalm 9, David calls on us to “praise the Lord with our whole heart” and to proclaim “all His marvelous works.” All of God’s works are truly marvelous—His creation, His plans, and His salvation are wondrous, for His very name is “Wonderful” (Isaiah 9:6). Among all of God’s “marvelous works,” the most awe-inspiring and worthy of our praise is this: that the God “Who judges the world in righteousness and governs the peoples with equity” still cares for us—weak and sinful as we are. He ensures that we are not cast down and destroyed like His enemies but instead grants us salvation, allowing us to become the people of Zion.
This psalm is set to the tune of “Death of the Son,” a phrase pointing prophetically to the redemption God accomplished through His Son, Jesus Christ. Consider this: the God “Who shall endure forever” not only refrained from condemning us for our sins but gave His beloved Son as a sacrifice, granting us salvation. He became our life, our supply, and our refuge. He made us His dwelling place in Zion and calls us to share in His eternal glory.
What an amazing grace and marvelous work this is! How can we not respond with awe and eternal praise? Truly, we echo the psalmist: “Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14).

Praising Scripture - Dec 17

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

MIC.5-6
ROM.1

2024 31-Day Praising Day 17:

Offer Praise as a Sacrifice to God (Psalm 69:29-36)
(Memorize Verses 29-31)

29 But I am poor and sorrowful;
Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.
30 I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull,
Which has horns and hooves.
32 The humble shall see this and be glad;
And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.
33 For the Lord hears the poor,
And does not despise His prisoners.
34 Let heaven and earth praise Him,
The seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion
And build the cities of Judah,
That they may dwell there and possess it.
36 Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it,
And those who love His name shall dwell in it.

Reflection:
Psalm 69 is a lament written by David, expressing his trust in God as he looks to Him for deliverance from suffering and persecution. This psalm transforms from a cry of sorrow into a song of praise, and parts of it also serve as Messianic foreshadowing in the New Testament. After presenting his anguish and fervent plea before God, David reaches a turning point in verse 29: “But I am poor and sorrowful; let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high!” Yes, in times of pain, we must fix our eyes on the unchanging salvation of the Lord and the loving countenance of God. His salvation has the power to rescue us from all darkness and to set us on high!
With this glorious shift, David begins to offer praise as a sacrifice to God: “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves.” Praise the Lord, for such worship pleases God! Through this praise, David gains renewed strength in his spirit and calls on all the humble, those who seek God, the poor, and the prisoners to join in praising the Lord. He extends this invitation to all creation and the whole earth to praise God because He will protect all those who love His name and establish them for generations to dwell in Zion and the cities of Judah.
Therefore, let us learn to praise the mighty name of God in every situation. Even in difficult circumstances, through our praise, like David, we can experience the Lord’s deliverance, turning our laments into songs of joy.

Praising Scripture - Dec 16

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

MIC.3-4
ACT.28

2024 31-Day Fraising Day 17:

"The Lord Is Great and Greatly to Be Praised" (Psalm 145:1-13)
(Memory Verses: 1-4)

1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

Reflection:
Psalm 145, written by David, is a magnificent hymn of praise, likely composed during a time of peace and blessing. Even though David himself was a king and his kingdom prospered under God’s protection and grace, he remained humble and focused his praise solely on the Lord. He recognized that God alone is the true King, exalted above all earthly rulers, whose kingdom is eternal, and whose dominion lasts through all generations.
David’s profound reverence for God is captured in the declaration: "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." The Lord is great—possessing "great deeds," "great goodness," "great love," and "great power." His greatness is beyond human comprehension, yet His goodness and mercy extend over all creation, as He is "good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made."
When we see the evidence of God's greatness in our lives and the world around us, our hearts should be lifted in awe and gratitude. Let us open wide our mouths to proclaim His greatness and devote ourselves wholly—heart, soul, mind, and strength—to giving Him great praise. May the Holy Spirit continually reveal to us the vastness of God’s greatness, stirring us to praise Him with our lives. Let us also take this opportunity to testify to our families, particularly the next generation, about His "mighty deeds and the glorious splendor of His kingdom." As we share His works and His kingdom’s everlasting glory with others, the greatness of our God will be known, and His reign will be evident in our lives, our churches, and across the earth.
Lord, You are great and worthy of all praise. Open our eyes to Your majesty and our mouths to declare Your greatness. Let Your Spirit guide us to proclaim Your works and testify of Your eternal kingdom to future generations and to the world. Amen.

Praising Scripture - Dec 15

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

MIC.1-2
ACT.27

2024 31-Day Praising Day 15:

"Proclaim His Glory with Words of Praise" (Psalm 66:1-9)
(Memory Verses: 1-4)

1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name." (Selah)
5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him,
7 who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations—let not the rebellious exalt themselves. (Selah)
8 Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard,
9 who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.

Reflection:
Psalm 66 is a psalm of praise, calling God's people and all the earth to glorify Him. It highlights an essential principle of praising God: "Sing the glory of His name; give to Him glorious praise."
To "sing the glory of His name" means our praises must mention His name, for His name alone is mighty, glorious, and a representation of His attributes, character, omnipotence, and deeds. Every time we speak His name, let us remember the splendor and richness it carries, which captivates us with its glory! All our songs and praises are ultimately to glorify His holy name.
To "give to Him glorious praise" implies using our own words to declare His glory, attributing all honor solely to Him. What a privilege that the universe, all creation, and His people throughout the ages continue to praise Him, and will do so forevermore. Even more astounding is that He has chosen us to be His people, His children, and His "sweet psalmists." According to our knowledge and experiences of Him, we are called to proclaim His glory with words of praise.
Let us cherish this glorious calling, allowing the Holy Spirit to move us so that words of praise flow continually from our lips. May our praises exalt Him and make His glory known, so that others, too, may "hear the sound of His praise" (Psalm 66:8).

Praising Scripture - Dec 14

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

JON.3-4
ACT.26

2024 31-Day Praising Day 14:

Sing Praises to God (Psalm 68:1-6)
(Memory Verses 4-6)

A Psalm of David. A Song. To the Chief Musician.
1 Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those also who hate Him flee before Him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him Who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him.
5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.
6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Reflection:
Psalm 68 is generally understood to have been written by David when the Ark of the Covenant was being brought to the house of Obed-Edom, and it was often sung by the Israelites on their way to Jerusalem for the feasts. The first verse of this psalm, “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those also who hate Him flee before Him,” echoes the prayer of Moses in Numbers 10:35 when the Ark set out. It is both praise for God’s mighty works and a declaration of faith and victory in the presence of enemies.
In this joyful, glorious, and triumphant psalm, David issues an important call to the people of God: “Sing to God, sing praises to His name!” For He is the God Who “rides on the clouds,” leading, protecting, and blessing His children in all circumstances—including the fatherless, the widow, the lonely, and the prisoner.
Praise the Lord, for “singing to God and praising His name” is an act of faith that invites God to make a way in our circumstances, bringing victory and blessings. Whether it was Moses, Miriam, or Deborah composing songs of triumph after experiencing God’s deliverance, or David penning psalms for the chief musician to be sung in various situations, these examples inspire us to long for, learn, and practice “singing” praises to God.
May we, like David, become “sweet psalmists of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1), who earnestly look to His glory. Yes, Lord, let our hearts overflow with a good theme as we declare our songs for You, and may our tongues be the pens of a ready writer (Psalm 45:1).

Praising Scripture - Dec 13

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

JON.1-2
ACT.25

2024 31-Day Praising Day 13:

Praise God Zealously (Psalm 109:21-31)
(Memory Verses 29-31)

21 But You, O God the Lord, deal with me for Your name’s sake; because Your mercy is good, deliver me.
22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
23 I am gone like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness.
25 I also have become a reproach to them; when they look at me, they shake their heads.
26 Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy,
27 That they may know that this is Your hand— that You, Lord, have done it!
28 Let them curse, but You bless; when they arise, let them be ashamed, but let Your servant rejoice.
29 Let my accusers be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a mantle.
30 I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yes, I will praise Him among the multitude.
31 For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those who condemn him.

Reflection:
Psalm 109 records David's prayer to God in the face of his enemies. Although his enemies repaid his love with evil and cursed him in many ways, David resolutely chose to look to God—"In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer" (Psalm 109:4). Through such prayer, verses 21-31 show how David entrusted all his bitterness and hardships to God and turned toward joy and praise. Verse 30 especially expresses his attitude of praising God in all circumstances: "I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yes, I will praise Him among the multitude."
Thank the Lord that not only in all circumstances should we choose to trust and praise Him, but all our praise should be offered zealously. When the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem, David zealously "danced before the Lord with all his might" (2 Samuel 6:14), and the Israelites present also "played music before God with all their might" (1 Chronicles 13:8).
Indeed, we thank God for today’s passage and for the example of David and the people, which enlightens us to see that regardless of external circumstances, we should—and can—"devote ourselves to prayer" and "zealously praise" Him. For He is worthy of it, and it pleases Him.

Praising Scripture - Dec 12

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

BOA.1
ACT.24

2024 31-Day Praising Day 12:

Lift Up Your Hands in Praise to God (Psalm 63:1-11)
(Memory Verses 2-4)

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek my life, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 They shall fall by the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him shall glory; but the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

Reflection:
Psalm 63 is another prayer and song of praise written by David while he was fleeing from enemies. Although he was in a desolate wilderness, David’s heart still earnestly sought the Lord, just as he had gazed upon Him in the sanctuary, beholding His power and glory. David recognized that God's "lovingkindness is better than life," and he was assured that, as a child of God Who has received such steadfast love, nothing could cause him anxiety or worry. God’s lovingkindness alone satisfies all of our hunger and thirst, and nothing can separate us from it.
As David remembered this truth, his heart was "satisfied as with marrow and fatness," and he could praise the Lord with his lips and lift up his hands in God’s name, even in the wilderness. David's experience shows us that only by faith can we lift up our hands in prayer, and also bless God's people, just as a priest offers blessings. A sincere longing for God, combined with prayer and praise, will surely lift up our hearts, fill us with God's lovingkindness, grant us peace and strength, and empower us to raise our hands, offering thanksgiving and praise to Him.
Dear brothers and sisters, in our daily practice of gratitude and praise, let us wholeheartedly seek the Lord, praise Him with our lips, and lift up our hands in prayer, thanksgiving, and worship!

Praising Scripture - Dec 11

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

AMO.9
ACT.23

2024 31-Day Praising Day 11:

Day 11: Awaken Your Spirit to Praise God （Psalm 57:1–11）
(Memorization Scripture 7–11)

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
4 My soul is in the midst of lions;
I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
6 They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way,
but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
8 Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

Reflection:
Psalm 57 is one of David's renowned “Cave Psalms,” written during his time of fleeing from Saul and hiding in a cave. David’s prayer begins with a plea for God’s mercy, asking to find refuge under His wings until the calamity has passed. Yet, as his prayer progresses, it shifts to a declaration of trust in "God Most High"—the One who fulfills His purpose for David. This trust strengthens David's faith and uplifts his spirit, turning his focus toward praising God's exalted glory among all nations.
The key to David's transformation from despair to spiritual fervor lies in his ultimate reliance not on the cave as his shelter, but on God Himself. Through faith, he entrusts his situation to God, recognizing that his greatest challenge is not external—his enemies or the environment—but internal: whether his heart remains steadfast and his spirit (translated as "glory" or "tongue") is awake to praise.
When David’s focus shifts from his circumstances to the greatness of God, whose “steadfast love is great to the heavens” and “faithfulness to the clouds,” he receives peace and confidence. From that place of assurance, he composes a song of victory and glory while still in the cave.
What a beautiful and inspiring testimony for us! In our daily prayers and praises, let us awaken our hearts and spirits in the same way: “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!” Such practices will surely transform our lives, moving us from passively waiting for dawn (or for “the storms of destruction to pass”) to actively ushering in the morning with our prayer and praise!

Praising Scripture - Dec 10

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

AMO.7-8
ACT.22

2024 31-Day Praising Day 10:

Praising God with a Reverent Heart (Psalm 99:1-9)
(Memory Verses: 2-5)

1 The Lord reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
2 The Lord is great in Zion,
And He is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name—
He is holy.
4 The King’s strength also loves justice;
You have established equity;
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God,
And worship at His footstool—
He is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests,
And Samuel was among those who called upon His name;
They called upon the Lord, and He answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar;
They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.
8 You answered them, O Lord our God;
You were to them God-Who-Forgives,
Though You took vengeance on their deeds.
9 Exalt the Lord our God,
And worship at His holy hill;
For the Lord our God is holy.

Reflection:
Psalm 99 is one of the psalms that extol the Lord as King. This psalm particularly highlights the attributes of God's kingship: “The King’s strength also loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.” It repeatedly declares, “He is holy” (this phrase appears three times in this psalm).
When we truly recognize God’s holiness, along with His omnipotence, righteousness, and justice, we become aware of our own impurity and our inability to stand before Him by our own merit. We can only humbly bow at His feet and seek His mercy.
Praise the Lord! “The Lord is great in Zion.” When His people approach Him with such reverence, bowing at His feet and praising His “great and awesome name,” He forgives their sins, listens to their cries, and speaks to them—just as He accepted the worship of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel and answered their prayers.
How thankful we are that such a holy, righteous, and mighty God has chosen us to establish Zion and has become our God! Today, let us come together to revere, exalt, and praise the reigning Lord: “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.”

Praising Scripture - Dec 9

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

AMO.5-6
ACT.21

2024 31-Day Praising Day 9:

Praise God with a Joyful Heart (Psalm 43:1–5)
( Memorization Scripture 3–4)

1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people;
from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

Reflection:
In Psalm 42, the sons of Korah praised God with a longing heart; in Psalm 43, they speak of praising God with the utmost joy: "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God." Even while exiled in a foreign land, far from the temple, and under constant oppression, the sons of Korah continually meditated on God. Remembering Him, they proclaimed Him as "God, my exceeding joy". Oh, “God, my exceeding joy”—what a sweet expression of trust, love, and delight in the God who loves us! Reflecting on our own worship and praise, do we often have such a deep sense of affection for God? Or do our feelings toward Him fluctuate with our circumstances, at times becoming routine, lukewarm, or even distant?
Truly, we give thanks to the Lord for the revelation through the sons of Korah: regardless of the circumstances, the Lord Himself is “my greatest joy.” Because of this truth, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites exhorted the people, saying, “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Similarly, Paul, imprisoned for the Lord, repeatedly encouraged God’s children: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
May the Lord help us to long for and rely on this God, our exceeding joy, in all situations. May we look to His radiant face, exchange "a spirit of despair" for "a garment of praise" (Isaiah 61:3), and experience ever-increasing joy and praise!

Praising Scripture - Dec 8

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

AMO.3-4
ACT.20

2024 31-Day Praising Day 8:

Praising God with a Longing Heart (Psalm 42:1-11)
(Memory Verses: 1, 5-8)

To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the Sons of Korah.
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”
4 When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar.
7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.
9 I will say to God my Rock,
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Reflection:
Psalm 42 and 43, written by the sons of Korah, express their deep longing and devotion to God during their exile in Babylon. Though they were unable to worship and celebrate in God’s house with others, their longing for and praise of God helped them overcome the "cast down" and "disquieted" state of their souls. They found comfort, strength, and hope in His countenance.

Through the New Covenant accomplished by the blood of Christ, we now enjoy God’s abiding presence, "Emmanuel." Yet, without the sons of Korah’s vibrant and fervent longing for God, and without a yearning to worship with fellow believers, our spiritual lives can become dry, lacking vitality and strength.

Praise the Lord! The psalmists’ words show us the living and personal relationship we can have with God! Our worship and praise to Him can be so genuine and passionate! Yes, dear Lord, we ask You to reveal Your love and beauty to us more deeply. “Open our eyes and captivate our hearts,” so that we may experience Your lovingkindness by day and lift up songs of praise and prayer to the God of our lives by night!

Praising Scripture - Dec 7

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

AMO.1-2
ACT.19

2024 31-Day Praising Day 7:

Invite God to Establish His Throne Through Our Praise (Psalm 22:1-10)
(Memorization Scripture 3, 9-10)

To the Chief Musician. Set to "The Deer of the Dawn." A Psalm of David.

1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning?
2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;
And in the night season, and am not silent.
3 But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in You;
They trusted, and You delivered them.
5 They cried to You, and were delivered;
They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.
6 But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
7 All those who see Me ridicule Me;
They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him;
Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb;
You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.
10 I was cast upon You from birth.
From My mother’s womb
You have been My God.

Reflection:

Earlier, we meditated on Psalm 22:22-26, which speaks of how “those who seek the Lord shall praise Him.” Today, we are invited to reflect on and pray through the first 10 verses of this psalm, particularly verse 3, which declares that God is holy and “enthroned in the praises of Israel.”

Thank the Lord for revealing through this verse that our praises not only draw us near to Him in worship but are also pleasing to Him. He has promised to establish His throne in our praises. The throne represents God’s glory, grace, presence, holiness, authority, power, and victory. Even in times of great difficulty—when we feel forsaken, attacked, or ridiculed, as described in this psalm—we are called to praise Him with a heart of trust. Through our praise, we can lift our eyes to Him, invite His reign over our circumstances, and enter His presence, which strengthens our faith and spirit.

Sometimes we may feel weary and weak, as though we lack the strength to praise. But David reminds us that our lives are securely in God’s hands. Even if we feel as helpless as infants, God has already given us a “heart of trust” (Psalm 22:9-10). Let us pray to rely on Him, rise up in praise, and allow our worship to reveal His presence, His works, and His victory.

Praising Scripture - Dec 6

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

JOL.3
ACT.18

2024 31-Day Praising Day 6:

"Give to the Lord the Glory Due His Name" (Psalm 29:1-11)
(Memorization Scripture 1-2, 10-11)

1 Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The Lord is over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,
Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes them also skip like a calf,
Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood,
And the Lord sits as King forever.
11 The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Reflection:
In this psalm, David specifically calls on the "mighty ones" to give glory and strength to the Lord and to "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (alternatively translated as "worship the Lord in His glorious appearance" or "worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness"). He emphasizes, "Give to the Lord the glory due to His name," and in just 11 short verses, David mentions the name of the Lord (“Yahweh”) 18 times.
The name of the Lord carries righteousness, holiness, and glory. His majesty and power are revealed over the waters, in the wilderness, and in all creation! His glorious name ought to be praised among the “mighty ones.” “In His temple everyone says, ‘Glory!’”
Each one of us belongs to Him, redeemed by His grace to enter His temple. We should give thanks for His salvation, declare His works among us, and praise His glory! Today, let all of us in His temple join the seraphim whom Isaiah saw before God's throne and worship Him, saying:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!"

Praising Scripture - Dec 5

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

JOL.2
ACT.17

2024 31-Day Praising Day 5:

Praise The King! (Psalm 24:7-10)
(Memorization Scripture 7-8)

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah

Reflection:
Praise the Lord! Psalm 24 paints a beautiful and glorious picture of worship and praise! When the people of God seek Him, quiet themselves before His throne, fix their eyes on Him, worship Him, and wait upon Him, He reveals Himself in His great glory and victory. He powerfully calls out to His people:
"Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in! Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle."
Oh, how blessed are we to have such a glorious King enter into our midst, bringing with Him the joy of sharing in His triumph! How transformed and renewed our lives should be because of His presence!
Yes, every time we worship and praise Him, we must earnestly seek to know Him (Hosea 6:3), be cleansed by the precious blood of Christ, and live as His children with "clean hands and a pure heart," receiving His blessings. Let us also ask the Holy Spirit to open the gates of our hearts and lift up those "everlasting doors," for we know that "the King of glory shall come in!"
At this very moment, let us prepare ourselves and give all praise to the King! Praise the King!

Praising Scripture - Dec 4

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

JOL.1
ACT.16

2024 31-Day Praising Day 4:

"Those Who Seek The Lord Shall Praise Him" (Psalm 22:22-26)
(Memorization Scripture 25-26)

22 I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from Him; but when He cried to Him, He heard.
25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever!
27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.

Reflection:
In this renowned Messianic psalm, David accurately foretold the sufferings of the Lord Jesus on the cross, even down to many specific details (Psalm 22:1-21). Because of the salvation accomplished by Christ Jesus on the cross, we, His redeemed people, have been bought back and established. We now have the privilege of standing among the congregation and proclaiming His holy name, giving thanks and praising Him among all peoples and nations!
Indeed, Christ alone is our Savior, our life, our joy, and our satisfaction. He is our ultimate pursuit. Through the redemption of the cross, Christ sought and saved us. Therefore, with new life, we ought to honor and serve the One Who loved us to the point of giving His life.
"Those who seek the Lord shall praise Him. Let your heart live forever!" Praise God that we have been called to walk among the assembly of saints who seek Him, and may praise become the hallmark and identity of those who belong to Him.
Let our praises express the unending gratitude and adoration we have for Him in our hearts. May they continually stir up our faith and revive our spiritual lives! Let our hearts live forever!

Praising Scripture - Dec 3

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

HOS.13-14
ACT.14-15

2024 31-Day Praising Day 3:

"Praise From The Upright Is Beautiful" (Psalm 33:1-11)
(Memorization Scripture 1-4)

1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.

Reflection:
This psalm calls upon the “righteous” and the “upright” who fear God to rejoice in Him and praise Him. For He is the One Who spoke, and it was done; Who commanded, and it stood fast. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, with authority to judge the world, yet He has chosen and redeemed us by His grace and love. As those called to be His “righteous” and “upright” people, set apart as His own, it is fitting and right for us to praise and glorify Him.
From the time Moses and Miriam led the people of Israel in singing songs of praise for God's salvation, to the vision of John in Revelation where multitudes in heaven sing praises to the Lord, God’s judges, prophets, angels, apostles, and saints have continually lifted up “new songs” of worship. Today, as redeemed sinners and beloved children of God, it is fitting that we too praise and thank Him. This is both the proper content of our lives and the testimony of who we are.
Indeed, let us rejoice daily in the Lord and join in singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb:
“Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.” (Revelation 15:3-4)

Praising Scripture - Dec 2

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

HOS.10-12
ACT.13

2024 31-Day Praising Day 2:

"Come, Let Us Sing for Joy to the Lord" (Psalm 95:1-7a)
(Memorization Scripture 1-3)

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before Him with thanksgiving
and extol Him with music and song.
3 For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In His hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to Him.
5 The sea is His, for He made it,
and His hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7a For He is our God
and we are the people of His pasture,
the flock under His care.

Reflection:
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation! Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song!" At the start of this new day, is your heart stirred by the psalmist’s invitation to join in praising the Lord? Does your spirit awaken early, rejoicing and singing to Him in thanksgiving and praise? We are called to sing and shout for joy to Him because "the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods." He is not only the Almighty Creator but also "our God"—the Rock of our salvation. The ultimate reason for our worship and praise is His identity: He is God, our God, and He alone is worthy of all praise in heaven and on earth. "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker!" While we practice "making joyful noises" and offering unrestrained and heartfelt praise, we must also come with a heart of reverence, bowing in worship and praising Him in spirit and truth. Let us remember not only that He is our God but also that "we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care."

Praising Scripture - Dec 1

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

HOS.6-9
ACT.12

2024 31-Day Praising Day 1:

"Enter His Courts with Praise" (Psalm 100:1-5)
(Memorization Scripture 4-5)

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is He who made us, and we are His;
we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.
5 For the Lord is good
and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Reflection:
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." Praise the Lord! Through thanksgiving, we draw near to God and enter His gates; through praise, we come even closer, entering His courts and journeying into the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. Following our thirty days of practicing thanksgiving, we now begin the month of praising, continuing to cultivate thanksgiving and praise in our lives. Let us, with faith and expectation, embark on these next thirty-one days of focused practice, ascending daily toward greater spiritual growth, fullness, and victory brought about by thanksgiving and praise. This psalm, often used in worship services by liturgically oriented churches throughout history, is a rich resource for reflecting on and practicing praise. Notably, the six imperative sentences in this psalm remind us that thanksgiving and praise are not just attitudes we should adopt when drawing near to the Lord but are also the very pathways into His presence. Furthermore, the psalm emphasizes that our thanksgiving and praise should be accompanied by joyful shouting and gladness of heart. This morning, let us all shout for joy to the Lord and sing to Him with glad hearts! For indeed, "the Lord is good, and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 30

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

HOS.3-5
ACT.11

2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 30:

Giving Thanks For Having The Lord’s Ending
(Psalm 73:1-28)
(Memorize verses 23-28)
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.

Reflection:
The challenges and pains of life do not only arise from circumstances but also from comparing ourselves with others, leading to complaints and dissatisfaction—especially when we see the wicked enjoying undeserved prosperity. After experiencing such weakness and struggle, Asaph emphasizes in this psalm the importance of entering “the sanctuary of God” and viewing life from His perspective.
Without such a heavenly perspective, one falls into foolishness and bitterness, where the heart is “grieved” and the mind is “vexed.” But with this divine insight, it becomes clear that God has placed the seemingly secure wicked on “slippery places,” leading them to destruction in a moment of desolation.
In contrast, God’s people have His continual presence, His right hand of protection, His guidance through His counsel, and the promise of being received into His glory. With this assurance, we can walk through life with certainty, singing words of thanksgiving: “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.”
Let us give thanks for such a glorious ending in the Lord, trusting Him as our strength and portion forever.

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 29

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

HOS.1-2
ACT.9-10

2024 Thankgiving Month Day 29:

Giving Thanks For God Doing Great Things Among Us
(Psalm 126:1-6)
(Memorize verses 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.

Reflection:
Thank the Lord, for He is the One Who does great and marvelous deeds (Psalm 136:4). This psalm describes the Israelites’ experience of God’s amazing work in bringing back the captives to Zion. In the midst of their great failure, those who had been taken captive were restored—not because of their own strength or efforts, but solely because of God’s grace and the “great things” He had done. This act was beyond their imagination and expectations, evident to all, even to the nations who witnessed it and proclaimed it. The Israelites, too, came to recognize and rejoice in God’s mighty work.
Because they had experienced God’s greatness in the past, the psalm transitions into a prayer for Him to continue His great deeds. They longed for the full restoration of Israel, comparing it to “streams in the South” and the promise that “those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” This hope reflects a desire for Israel’s complete renewal and revival.
Let us also give thanks, not only for the great things God has already done among us but also for the great things He will continue to do. He is the God Who works wonders in our midst. With hearts full of gratitude, let us lift our voices in “laughter” and “singing,” rejoicing and praising Him together!

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 28

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

DAN.11-12
ACT.8

2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 28:

Giving Thanks For God Commanding Victory For Us
(Psalm 44:1-8)
(Memorize verses 4-8)
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

Reflection:
The author of this psalm is one of the descendants of Korah. As they reflected on the experiences of their forefathers, they developed a profound understanding of God and His works. From the victories of Israel’s ancestors, they realized that their success was “not by their own sword” or “their own arm,” but by “Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance,” because God delighted in them and was their King.
Thank the Lord that among the many ways He relates to us, one is as the Captain of His army (Exodus 12:41), and He is the Commander of this army (Joshua 5:14). As our God, He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies and leads us into every battle with one outcome in mind—victory.
With this understanding and confidence, the descendants of Korah prayed with boldness:
“You are my King, O God; command victories for Jacob. … But You have saved us from our enemies and have put to shame those who hated us. In God we boast all day long and praise Your name forever.”
Dear brothers and sisters, are you facing battles on your spiritual journey? Remember, every battle is not ours but God’s, and He will lead us forward to victory through Him. For this, let us give thanks for the opportunity to fight and win through reliance on Him and pray with faith: “You are my King, O God. Command victories for me (us)!”

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 27

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

DAN.10
ACT.7

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 26

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

DAN.8-9
ACT.6

2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 26:

Giving Thanks For The Strength God Gives Us
(Psalm 28:1-9)
(Memorize verses 6-9)
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.
3 Do not take me away with the wicked
And with the workers of iniquity,
Who speak peace to their neighbors,
But evil is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their deeds,
And according to the wickedness of their endeavors;
Give them according to the work of their hands;
Render to them what they deserve.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord,
Nor the operation of His hands,
He shall destroy them
And not build them up.
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.

Reflection:
In a time of personal and national distress, David prayed earnestly before the Lord. Through his prayer, he drew strength from God, received His promise, and moved from a cry of weakness to thanksgiving and praise in peace. Again and again, David experienced the power and victory that came from trusting in God, declaring, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped.” (See also Psalm 18:1, 59:9, 17, 118:14.)
Thank the Lord! He is our strength and shield, One we can always rely on. In this psalm, David shows us the secret to drawing strength from God: steadfastly believing, holding fast, and proclaiming, “The Lord is my strength.” In times of need, when we “trust in Him with our hearts,” we will be helped.
In verses 1-2, David demonstrates how he trusted in the Lord: he acknowledged his own helplessness, saying he was “like those who go down to the pit.” By taking God as his “Rock,” standing in faith upon Him, and lifting his hands (a symbol of lifting his heart) to call upon the Lord, David prayed until he was assured that God had heard him and granted him strength.
Dear brothers and sisters, if you are facing difficulties or needs, now is the time to “trust in Him with your heart.” Lift your hands (and your heart) to call upon Him. Believe that the Lord will hear your prayer and give you strength right now!

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 25

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

DAN.7
ACT.5





2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 25:

Giving Thanks and Praise to God in the Land of the Living
(Psalm 27:1-14)
(Memorize verses 13-14)
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
Above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
...
13 I would have lost heart,
Unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Reflection:
David wrote this psalm at a time when his spirit was strong and resolute, but he was in a moment of extreme danger, being pursued by his enemies. Even though the enemy was coming to devour his flesh, and armies were encamped against him, he remained “steadfast” and “unafraid.” His peace and strength came from trusting in God, the One who secured his life, hiding him “in the secret place of His tabernacle,” as he boldly declared, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
Thank the Lord! David’s testimony encourages us to believe that we, too, will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Our God is not only the One who has done mighty works in history and will resurrect the saints in the future, but He is also the God we can rely on in our present circumstances. The most powerful prayer and thanksgiving come when we, by faith, see God’s grace right where we are!
Let us pray that through this psalm, the Lord helps us to look up to Him in our own “land of the living,” transforming it into a prayer room. As we trust in Him, we will be filled with courage, “lifting our heads above our enemies,” and we will sing and praise the Lord!

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 24

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

DAN.5-6
ACT.4

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 23

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

DAN.4
ACT.3

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 22

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

DAN.3
ACT.2

2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 22:

Giving Thanks To God With A Whole Heart
(Psalm 138:1-8)
(Memorize verses 1-3)
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 lovingkindness 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.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord,
When they hear the words of Your mouth.
5 Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
For great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord is on high,
Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.
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.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Reflection:
David was a man after God’s own heart, and he deeply understood and practiced thanksgiving. In today’s psalm and many others, David emphasizes an important aspect of thanksgiving: “I will praise You with my whole heart” (see also Psalms 9:1, 86:12).
David was able to praise God wholeheartedly because he recognized that God’s deliverance and mercy were not in vain. Rather, they were given so that he might proclaim all God’s marvelous works (Psalm 9:13-14). Through Psalm 138:1-3, David provides us with a few reminders and examples of how to praise God with a whole heart:
- Sing praises before the gods: Wholehearted thanksgiving involves refusing to allow anything or anyone to take God’s place as our Savior and Lord.
- Worship toward God’s holy temple: To praise Him wholeheartedly is to pursue living in His presence, worshiping Him in spirit and truth, and honoring Him as God.
- Remember God’s lovingkindness and truth: Wholehearted thanksgiving means recounting His faithful acts and praising His name for them.
- Treasure and give thanks for God’s Word: Those who thank God with their whole heart value His Word, knowing that He magnifies His Word above all His name, and through it, He answers, strengthens, and encourages them.
Lord, help me also to be one who praises You with my whole heart, for You are a God Who hears prayer and “will perfect that which concerns me.” Amen.

Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 21

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

DAN.2
ACT.1

2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 21:

Giving Thanks to God at All Times and in All Places (Psalm 34:1-8)
(Memorization Scripture 1-3)
A Psalm of David when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt His name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and He answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to Him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Reflection:
David's experience and testimony in this psalm inspire us greatly in our practice of thanksgiving: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." This precious exhortation reveals that thanksgiving should be a consistent and ongoing practice, regardless of time or place. David wrote this psalm shortly after escaping the Philistine king Abimelech by pretending to be insane. Although he had just emerged from a perilous situation and still faced numerous challenges, he immediately offered thanksgiving and praise to God. David’s deep awareness of his own weakness and helplessness, combined with his profound trust in God's faithfulness and power, allowed him to respond this way. He acknowledged that he was merely a "poor man," completely reliant on "crying out" and "looking to" God for deliverance and guidance. Each time he called out to God, he experienced God's attentive "hearing" and the deliverance provided by the angel of the Lord encamping around him. Not only did David personally give thanks and praise, but he also invited us to join him in magnifying the Lord together. This psalm, written in acrostic form in Hebrew, was specifically designed to help the entire congregation of Israel, including children, to sing and practice thanksgiving. Let us follow David’s example, recognizing that apart from God, we can do nothing. With this humility, may we daily "take refuge" in Him and offer our gratitude and praise to Him at all times and in all places.