PSALM 50 19 FEBRUARY 2008
By Asaph-the Levite

True worship brings obedience

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23

Psalm 50 is the first 12 Psalms (Psalms 73-83) by Asaph. Asaph’s family became one of the 3 families given responsibilities for music and song in the temple - 1 Chr.25:1-9

This Psalm is also a Psalm of instruction, not of prayer and praise. It tells of the coming of Christ and the day of judgement, in which God will call men to account for their lives. In Ps 50, God deals with those who were religious in practice and yet neglected godliness. Their heart is not set on worship and godliness. It was the duty of the people to bring the sacrifice; but God is not pleased with the outward sacrifice they bring. Nothing pleases him where it is done religiously as an act. True worship comes from the heart. The judgment of God is being mentioned in this chapter, where he will judge according to our heart more than the act. His rebuke and correction to the wicked is in verse 16-23.

Obedience is better than sacrifice. God desires obedience from your heart more than what you can offer to Him.

Application:
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you examine your heart now. Are you in religious worship or in true worship with obedience? Ask God to forgive you for your sins and ask Him to help you stop sinning.


PSALM 49 18 FEBRUARY 2008
By The Sons of Korah

Temporal Riches Vs Eternal Riches

“A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish” Psalm 49:20

Psalm 49 carries a word of instruction concerning the vanity of the world.

Wealth cannot buy security and happiness. Nor can wealth save yourself and others from death. Nothing perishable, such as silver or gold can ever redeem you. But with the precious blood of Christ without blemish that you are redeemed, 1 Pet 1:18-19. No amount of wealth can buy life.

Therefore the rich should not take their delight in their wealth. And the poor should not be oppressed by the rich and become fearful of life. Do not trust your life to your wealth, verse 6.

Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Do not place your security in wealth, and let this be a motive for living. Instead, put your faith and trust in the Lord.

Application:
Take some time to meditate on Ps 49. Ask God to reveal to you if your love for money has become your zeal in life?
If its’ yes, repent today and ask God to re-direct your course.
If you have not been tithing regularly, do it now.

PSALM 48 17 FEBRUARY 2008
By The Sons of Korah

God Is Our God Forever

“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14

Psalm 48 tells us that God can protect Zion, a city in Jerusalem. Verse 1-3 of Psalm 48 talks about the beauty of Mount Zion. God is the fortress for Zion. He is the defence for Zion. God protects Zion.

Verse 4-7 records for us the futile attacks of the nations. The enemy fled in terror (vs5) when they saw that the great King was in Zion. God is Zion and the people’s security – verse 8. From verse 9-11, the people were able to worship and praise God with gladness because of God’s mighty saving acts.

Because of God’s unfailing love, he will protect His city and His people. He will be our defence when there are attackers. He is our refuge and fortress. He is our strength. God is the everlasting God and His promises to His people will stay.

Application:
God comes to our defence because He loves us. Recall a time where God delivered you from an impossible situation. Praise God for His deliverance. May gratitude fill your heart with thanksgiving.
Take a few minutes to praise God for His unfailing love. Give thanks to Him for great is the Lord and He is most worthy of your praise. God Loves you and His love is unchanging. Receive His great love for you now. Ask God to touch you and fill you with His love today!

PSALM 47 16 FEBRUARY 2008
By The Sons of Korah

The Lord Reigns

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on
his holy throne. Psalm 47:8

The Lord reigns over all the earth. Nations are called to rejoice in God. We are called to praise the Lord. Let’s celebrate the King.

God is worthy of all praises. He is an awesome and a great King. Victory has been won on Calvary. Jesus has triumph over death.
At the name of Jesus, every knee must bow and every tongue confesses that Christ is Lord. Phil 2:10-11

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again rejoice - Phil 4:4

Application:
Take a moment now to rejoice in the Lord.
Sing praise unto Him for He is worthy.
He has triumph over death and victory had been won. Declare God’s victory through His son Jesus now.
Throw away all the feelings of defeat. You can have victory in the Lord.
Allow God to take charge of everything. Come before Him and invite Him to take control for He is the God of power and authority.

PSALM 46 15 FEBRUARY 2008
By The Sons of Korah

God Is Our Refuge And Strength

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Psalm 46 is a song of hope. Psalm 46:1-5 encourages us to take comfort in God when things seem gloomy. Glory is given to God both as king of the nations as well as king of His people in Psalm 46:6-11.

When in distress, God is our help. We can triumph through distressing and fearful moments when He is with us. God is our present help in times of trouble – Ps 46:1.
His presence with us brings us to triumph over darkness moment of life.
To triumph over the greatest dangers faced, God is our strength and our help. His strength is sufficient for us. Therefore do not be afraid. God will help you out of your troubles.

The sovereign Lord is with us. He will never leave us. His is a God of power against all enemies. He protects the nations and His people.

Application:
Have you ever become fearful because everything seem to be falling apart?
Take heart that God is your refuge and strength, your ever-present help when in trouble.
Release all your fears and anxiety to God. Take time to be still before God and acknowledge Him as the God of power and authority over these circumstances.
No problems and difficulties are too big for God.

PSALM 45 14 FEBRUARY 2008
By The Sons of Korah

The Marriage of The Lamb - Rev 19:7

“They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king.” Psalm 40:15

This is a celebration of a wedding. It is a joyful occasion. A wedding with great splendour and glory.
The kingdom of heaven is being compared to a royal nuptial.

The psalmist in verses 3-9, was admiring & praising the Bridegroom, who is Christ the King. Message to the bride, that is the church, is found in verse 10 – 15. In particular, the glory of the bride was being mentioned in verse 13-15.

It is a wedding between Christ and His Bride – the Church. A wedding is not without a close intimate relationship between the groom and the bride.
The bride would want to present herself pure and beautiful to her bridegroom.

The wedding of the lamb expresses the intimate relationship between God and His people. You are God’s people. You are the bride of Christ! Do you have a close intimate relationship with Christ the bridegroom? Are you ready to receive the bridegroom?

Application:
Today, decide in your heart that you want to enter into intimacy with Christ the groom. It’s going to be a relationship that will bring joy and honour.
Is there any sin that prevents you from drawing near to the Christ the King? Repent and receive God’s cleansing. Welcome the King of Glory!

PSALM 44 13 FEBRUARY 2008
By The Sons of Korah

A Cry for National Deliverance

“Rise up and help us; redeem us because of
your unfailing love.” Psalm 44:26

This Psalm is about Israel’s cries for help after suffering a devastating defeat.

Ps 44:1-8 Tell us the great things God has done for them, praising God for past victories.
Ps 44:9-16 Complained of the present state of defeat and its consequences – being put to shame before their enemies.
Ps 44:17-22 They plead of their innocence to God that they have not sin and yet calamity had befall upon them.
Ps 44:23-26 Finally, the psalmist appeals to God for deliverance in prayers.

Past experiences of God's power and goodness will add strength to our faith. The many victories Israel had obtained, were not by their own strength or merit, but by God's favour and grace. We can trust in Him

Application:
In times of hardship, difficulties and even sufferings, we should not blame God. Nor should we turn to worldly and sinful ways of dealing with matters. Instead, we should turn to God and cry out to Him for mercy. We can pray in faith to God to redeem us because His love is unfailing.
Now, boldly declare that in God you will Trust.
Boldly declare that it is in God that you trust. Give thanks for his unfailing love.

PSALM 43 12 FEBRUARY 2008
By The Sons of Korah

Prayer of Deliverance & Restoration

“Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God. Psalm 43:4

Psalm 42 & 43 form a single prayer. Thus, we should look at Psalm 43 as a continuation of Psalm 42.
The Psalmist in chapter 42 was not able to go to the temple to worship God. He was depressed and outcast.

In Psalm 43, the psalmist decided that it did not matter if he could go to the temple as God was with him everywhere he went. He turns to God for strength as he acknowledges God is his stronghold in
Ps 43:2.

In this chapter, the psalmist prays to God to delivery him from his captivity. And he will go to the altar to get as near to God as he could and be in His presence. His confidence and joy is in the Lord.

There might be circumstances where you have yet to see victory, do not give up. Let God be your stronghold and He is your sufficient strength. God will restore you to strength and intimacy in Him.
Our hope is in the Lord and we can praise him, our saviour and our God. Ps 43:5

Application:
Heavenly Father, forgive me when I fail. Keep me and guide me when I go through difficulties. Help me to focus my heart on You. Teach me to praise You and exalt Your Holy Name like the psalmist does. I can place my hope in you for You are my Savior and my God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.