MAY 27

Psalm 143:1-12
Memorise Psalm 77:11
“…I will remember the works of the LORD…”

In this Psalm, as David considers the onslaught of the enemies’ persecutions, causing his spirit to be overwhelmed and his heart desolate, he found solace in God. In verse 5, he shared how he looked back and reflected on God’s faithfulness. He thought to the ‘days of old’, of events in time past whereby God had so graciously rescued him. He then meditates on all God’s present work that he sees. God is everywhere, to be found in everything, great and small, by divine revelation in His Word, the miracle of life and His daily provisions. Finally, David looks wider to the natural world as he reflects in wonder at God’s work revealed in creation. Through this, he experiences comfort, and knows that all he has to do is to call upon the Lord, to stretch forth his hands unto Him, and He will certainly deliver.

Perhaps you may be experiencing trials and tribulations, going through difficulties similar to what David went through. David’s spirit was overwhelmed and desolate under the attacks of his enemies. Hence in his meditation he casts a wide net to fill his thirsty soul. Remembering the past accorded comfort of God’s faithfulness in His dealings with His children, whilst the works of Creation testify of God’s continual presence and power in all things. This we can see if we would but look!

At the same time, the Word of God is so rich and so deep that we may wish to focus on just one passage, or a verse, or even part of a verse. Just as an entire sermon can be expounded from one verse, your meditation for a whole day can, too. From this you will be able to delve deeper and perhaps be able to extract greater and more lasting spiritual understanding than if you were to meditate on several verses or passages. This takes focus and discipline.

Whether you focus on one passage or several depends on the purpose and circumstances of your meditation. Just as we need both a micro and macro understanding of the Bible – Bible theology (which is the study of the Bible from the historical perspective of revelation through individual books) as well as systematic theology (thematic perspective).

Thought: Spurgeon calls memory the handmaiden of hope. Can you do so too?
Prayer: LORD, may my faith be strengthened as I remember Your faithfulness and see Your presence always in all things.