Tuesday

 Tuesday Fellowship meeting: 
13 May 2025 at 11am, in Plaza Hall.
Speaker: Dr Tan Kim Huat
Chen Su Lan Professor of New Testament,
Trinity Theological College.

To register, text your name to 9178 9338/9484 6652.

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Psalm 103

In this Psalm, David Praises God for his Goodness to us. No matter what challenges we face in life, we should Count our Blessings (past, present, future) and be reminded of His great Love for us. In our gratitude, we will be moved to Praise Him. (There is no request in this Psalm.)

A) Personal Praise to God: (1-5)

1. Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!
   
2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:
   
3. Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
   
4. Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
   
5. Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagles’s. (Psalm 103:1-5).

 

David speaks to his “soul” (emotion/intellect/will of a person as distinct from the body and spirit) to “Bless” God, which is to Praise/Exalt/Worship Him –
for His holiness (v1) and dominion over all things (v22). God deserves it! We should do so with “all that is within me.”(our whole heart).

We should Remember all His benefits: (And give Thanks in everything!)

1. He forgives all our sins! (Note the greatness of His mercy!)
2. He heals all our diseases. Healing may be:
   
   • Natural: Thanks for our immune system, white blood cells which fight infection, engulf bacteria, produce antibodies; platelets which form clots to stop bleeding...
   • Medical: Thanks for doctors, nurses, paramedics, medicines, chemotherapy, vaccines...
   • Supernatural: Divine healing for which there is no scientific explanation.
   • Eternal: Our resurrected bodies will be imperishable, spiritual, raised in glory and power. It will not experience sickness, deterioration, decay, death. It will be immortal. (1 Cor 15:35-54)
3. He rescues us from destruction (the pit/eternal death).
   God is our Kinsman-Redeemer/closest relative, who redeems us!
   Jesus said: “I am the Resurrection and the Life....Whoever believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25,26) Thank You! For finishing your mission.
4. He crowns you with steadfast love and compassion/mercy.
5. He satisfies/fills your life with “good things” (God’s provision of “good things” could be spiritual or material. He wants us to flourish and is committed to our welfare and joy. “Good” is defined by God’s perspective, though many think of wealth and possession. Solomon found that God is the only source of satisfaction/fulfillment!
6. He restores our physical strength and health, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. * (Even seniors will find the energy and vitality to do the Lord’s will.)!).

B) National Praise to God: (6-18)
The Lord “works”/gives his Righteousness and Justice by delivering Israel from oppression in Egypt (Exodus), and by inflicting judgment on Pharoah. (Believers receive Christ’s righteousness to be “saved”.). He made known His ways (reveals His character/guidance) to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel. God gave Moses His Law (Ten Commandments...Maker’s “Instruction Manual”) so they know how to serve Him and follow His teachings. They witnessed His acts (eg parting the Red Sea, leading them through the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night...) God revealed Himself to be Compassionate (emotionally involved!), Gracious (Merciful, reaching out to us who are undeserving), Slow to Anger (restraining just wrath!), Filled with Unfailing Love. He does not constantly accuse us, or remain angry forever. He does not treat (punish) us “as our sins deserve”. (Instead He punished His beloved Son – as our sins deserve!) Reason: As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His Love for those who fear (revere) Him.

He has removed our sins, “as far as the East is from the West”. Since East and West will never meet, we shall be forever separated from our sins, so we should not wallow in the guilt of past wrongs. (eg. abortion)
(cf. On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, one goat was sacrificed and its blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. A second goat (Scapegoat) was led into the wilderness, after the High Priest had laid his hands on it, and confessed the sins of the nation. Symbolically, it carried away the sins of Israel. (Lev 16).
NB: Christ is our High Priest, the Sacrificed Lamb and the “Scapegoat”.

As a father has compassion (pity) on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. Only those who reverence God will enjoy the
tender loving care of our heavenly Father. God knows how we are formed.
(“For you formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”)(Psalm 139:13)
He remembers that we are “dust”. (He knows how weak and fragile we are.) Our days on earth are transient like “grass” and the “flower” of the field which blooms (flourish for a season) and then dies... not to be remembered, as if they/we had never been here.

But! From everlasting to everlasting (forever, because of our Eternal Life), the Lord’s Love is with those who fear Him and His righteousness
(Salvation) extends to their children’s children. These are those who keep His covenant and obey His precepts (commandments).
(NB: God’s Blessings upon Israel are conditional/dependent on their Obedience to His Covenant. (17,18)

C) Universal Praise to God: (19-22)
The Lord has established His Throne in heaven. From there, He rules Sovereign over all Creation! Even the mighty Angels, who obey Him and implement
His plans, are called to Bless/Praise Him. So too, the heavenly hosts (angelic armies) who serve Him and do His will, and all His “works” (all He has
created), everything in all His Kingdom. David concluded by voicing His personal Praise.

NB: It is our Lord Jesus:

1. Who is the reason why God has not dealt with us according to our sins! (10)
2. Who knew our frame because He created us from the dust, and experienced our frailty firsthand, while on Earth. (14)
3. Who is enthroned in heaven- our Great High Priest, interceding for us! (19)

Q1. List some specific Blessings / Benefits from God upon your life. Will you Bless / Praise the Lord for them?

Q2. Who will you bless with the Good News of God’s Loving Kindness? Pray that God will guide you to tell someone of God’s Love for her/him.

 

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““But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

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Saturday

 

WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group

“Psalms of Prayer and Praise!”
The Psalms is the most often quoted OT book in the New Testament. It is much loved because it expresses a wide range of human emotions and life experiences, which all readers can identify with. It also reminds us to trust God who is loving, faithful and sovereign over human affairs, history, nations and creation.

Next Meeting: 10 May 2025 at 2pm (online)
The WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group “meets” on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.

We study Holy Scripture to know God better, and gain a better understanding of His work in the world and His ways. In the process, we encourage one another along our personal pilgrimage.

We welcome ladies of all ages! (online)