Scriptural Symphony: Hymns in Harmony with the Word: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

 

Sing "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"

Reflect on Hebrews 12:2

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." – Hebrews 12:2

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus." This beautiful hymn, along with Hebrews 12:2, reminds me that I can look to Jesus in every situation. Peter looked away from Jesus, focused on the strong wind, and began to sink.

I want to run the race of faith without growing weary and reach the finish line, so I must keep my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. To overcome sin, I must look to my Savior. To learn the Word of God, I must look to my Teacher. To turn my eyes away from worthless things, I must turn them toward Jesus. To grow in holiness day by day, I will fix my gaze on my perfect Example.

Topical meditation 2024

September 7

Scriptural Symphony: Hymns in Harmony with the Word: Trust and Obey

 

Sing "Trust and Obey"

Reflect on Proverbs 3:5

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." – Proverbs 3:5

"Trust and obey," says the author of this beautiful hymn. He understood the wisdom echoed by the wisest man: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

If I truly trust the Lord and not my own understanding, I will naturally obey Him. If Noah had not trusted God and had instead relied on his own reasoning, he would not have built the ark.

If Abraham had not trusted God, he would not have left his homeland.

When we trust God, we are assured that He knows what is best, desires what is best for us, never makes mistakes, and never commands anything harmful.

If we trust the Lord with all our heart, obedience to His Word will follow naturally.

Topical meditation 2024

September 6

Scriptural Symphony: Hymns in Harmony with the Word: Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

 

Sing "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God"

Reflect on Matthew 6:33

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." – Matthew 6:33

This beautiful song echoes the words of Jesus, reminding us of the proper priority in life. For those who seek first the kingdom of God, there is a promise: all other necessary things will be given to them.

If I truly seek God's kingdom above all else, my day will begin with reading the laws of that Kingdom—the Bible. My first conversation will be with the King Himself. My deepest desire will be to live as a worthy ambassador of His Kingdom, and my greatest goal will be to expand it. Conversations with God's children will revolve around the works and words of our King.

When I seek first the kingdom of God, I am freed from the burden of worrying about secondary things.

Topical meditation 2024

September 5

 

Scriptural Symphony: Hymns in Harmony with the Word: Come and Dine

 

Sing "Come and Dine"

Reflect on John 21:12

"Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine." – John 21:12

"Come and dine." This beautiful hymn resonates in the hearts of those who, like His disciples, have responded to Jesus' invitation to partake at His table. They do not crave the fast food of the world but delight in His Word, which is sweeter than honey.

He still calls the hungry: "Come and dine."

Those who have responded to His invitation and dine at the table of His Word will one day partake in the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19.9).

Topical meditation 2024

September 4

 

Scriptural Symphony: Hymns in Harmony with the Word: His eye is on the sparrow

 

Sing "His Eye Is on the Sparrow"

Reflect on Luke 12:7

"Do not fear, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

As I sing the inspiring refrain of one of my favorite hymns, "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me," I am reminded of Jesus' words of encouragement: "Do not fear, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

This assurance of God's tender care frees me from fear and worry. If the Almighty, Omniscient, and Merciful Lord watches over me, then nothing should trouble me.

If even a sparrow is not forgotten before Him, how could He ever forget His child?

I sing my favorite hymn and rejoice that my Lord, who does not forget the sparrows, remembers me.

Topical meditation 2024

September 3

 

Scriptural Symphony: Hymns in Harmony with the Word: Amazing grace

 

Sing "Amazing Grace"
Reflect on Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

Amazing grace...
As I sing the famous hymn of John Newton I am drawn to Ephesians 2:8-9, which reminds us that our salvation is not earned by our efforts or good deeds but is a gift from God, bestowed through His amazing grace. This hymn prompts me to humbly reflect on my past and express gratitude for the present. Like the hymn's author, I can proclaim: I was lost, but now I am found; I was blind, but now I see. I now see my sinful state and the freedom He has granted me. I see my weakness and His strength. I see His amazing mercy, His infinite love, and the treasures of His Word.
Thanks to the Lord for His amazing grace!

Topical meditation 2024

September 2

Pleasing God over pleasing men

 

“For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” — Galatians 1:10

If the apostle Paul had sought to please people, he would not have been a servant of Christ; instead, he would be a great ruler among the Pharisees. But Paul chose to be a servant of Christ, desiring to please Him above all. Why would he need to be a ruler when the One he serves is kind, caring, wise, and powerful, and when serving Him is the greatest honor? Why seek human glory when his Lord has promised him glory in heaven? This principle doesn’t apply only to preachers—it applies to all of us. We too must seek to please our Lord. If I act according to Scripture and people disapprove, I must continue to follow the Word because my desire is to please God, not people.

From my diary,

September 1, 2024

Remember me, o God

“Remember me, O my God, for good! ” — Nehemiah 13:31

The book of Nehemiah begins with his prayers in the very first chapter, and in the last verse of the book, we find this short and simple prayer. Nehemiah understands that it is not important for people to remember him, but for God to do so. Even if people remember, they are not always able to help; they are often far away, and sometimes nothing depends on them. But our Lord is always near and always able to do everything. Therefore, Nehemiah's prayer is the prayer of all God's children:

Lord, remember my troubles, which are many, because You care for me.
Lord, remember my fears, for they are many, for You can dispel them in Your presence.
Lord, remember my weaknesses and strengthen me with Your Word.
Lord, remember my doubts and strengthen my faith with Your Word.
Lord, remember my longings, for I long to receive what You are willing to give: perfect sanctification.

From my diary,

August 31, 2024

 

Trusting the Righteous Keeper of Promises

 

“You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.” — Nehemiah 9:8

What peace this truth brings to my heart: there is One whose promise I can trust, for it is impossible for Him not to fulfill His Word. There has never been a time when He has failed to keep His promise, and there never will be. He always fulfills His promises, though not always in the way we expect or in the timing we anticipate. His promises free me from worry.

Because the Lord always fulfills His promises, I can rest in quiet confidence and enduring peace.

From my diary,

August 30, 2024

A Day of Holiness, A Day of Rejoicing

“Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” — Nehemiah 8:11

Where there is holiness, there is bound to be joy—true joy, the heavenly original, not earthly imitations. I have always believed that holiness and joy are synonymous. A holy day is a day of joy.

The day was holy because the holy Word of God was read and rightly explained. The Word, that was rightly explained, was received in the right way—with holy reverence and praise. And it produced the right result: sorrow for sins and a longing for holiness. Therefore, instead of being sad, God’s people should be happy.

Every small victory against sin is a great reason for rejoicing.

From my diary,

August 29, 2024

When Trouble Is Near, God Is Nearer

"Be not far from Me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help." — Psalm 22:11

In this verse, we find two "for"s, two compelling reasons to seek the Lord's presence:

for trouble is near, and for there is none to help.

The Lord will not abandon the one who calls on Him in times of trouble. He will come to the aid of the one who has no other helper. When the Lord is present, the psalmist will no longer say, "There is none to help," because surely there is One—One who desires to help, is able to help, and knows how to help.

For the psalmist, the greatest sorrow is the absence of the Lord, and the greatest joy is His presence. This is true for every child of God.

Lord, be near; be not far from me.

From my diary,

August 28, 2024

 

Where Faith Falters, Doubt Prevails

 “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” — Matthew 14:31

This question from Jesus carries its own answer: doubt arises from a lack of faith.

Peter’s faith faltered when he saw the strong wind, leading him to doubt. Had his faith been strong, he would have remained confident that Jesus would ensure his safety. Doubt and faith cannot coexist, one excludes the other.

When we believe wholeheartedly, doubt has no place.

From my diary,

August 27, 2024

Undeserved Mercy, Deserved Praise

 "Since You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such deliverance as this." Ezra 9:13

Such is the mercy of God. Our sins are countless, yet our punishment is little. Our sins are heavy, yet our punishment is light. We have not received the punishment our sins deserve. Therefore, we should give Him the praise He deserves.

Anyone who grasps the gravity of their sins and grieves over them, who stands in awe of God’s boundless mercy, will pray with the same heartfelt reverence as Ezra.

From my diary,

August 26, 2024

The True Source of Faith

 "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17

This is the way to receive faith: by hearing the Word of God. To possess true faith—the heavenly original, not an earthly counterfeit—I must hear the Word of heavenly origin, the Word of God. Such hearing will result in true faith.

I must hear the True Word in the right way: with faith, not doubt; with delight, not indifference; wholeheartedly, not half-heartedly. I must listen with a willingness to obey, not with a hardened heart; with a resolve to obey immediately, not to delay. Hearing the True Word in this true way will produce true faith.

From my diary,

August 25, 2024

The Blessing of God-Given Joy

 … for the LORD made them joyful. Ezra 6:22

The people who had returned from captivity had reason to rejoice, for they had separated themselves from the impurities of the nations around them to seek the LORD God of Israel and had kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the restored temple of God. Their joy was genuine because the LORD had made them joyful. There is no happier person than the one whom the LORD makes joyful. The joy given by God is real, lasting, and unchanging, unaffected by circumstances. The joy given by others is merely an imitation and is not permanent.

The LORD makes His people joyful with the miracle of the forgiveness of sins, with His amazing love and mercy, with the wonders of His Word, and with the blessings He grants each day.

Blessed are those whom the LORD makes joyful.

From my diary,

August 24, 2024

It Will Be Just as He Said

"Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me." Acts 27:25

Faith is always rooted in God's promises. It will not be based on what I assume, think, or imagine. It will not be based on what people say, and certainly not on what the devil says to frighten the children of God. It will be based on what my Lord has spoken. What He says is always true. He is trustworthy, faithful, and always fulfills His promises. He has never disappointed anyone who trusts in Him.

That’s why I believe everything will be exactly as He said.

From my diary,

August 23, 2024

 

The Enemy is Stronger tham me, God is Strongest

"Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I." - Psalm 142:6

David’s persecutors were stronger than he was, so he turned to someone who was stronger than them. If the temptations and enemies I face in spiritual warfare are stronger than I am, it does not mean I have to accept defeat. Instead, I must call on Him who is stronger than all and fights for me. Therefore, victory will be mine.

From my diary,

August 22, 2024

 

Defined by His Word, Not the World

 "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well." - Psalm 139:14

Who should I believe? The mirror, the scale, society's fleeting beauty standards, my own subjective ideas, the opinions of those who do not know God or the Word of Him who created me? His Word declares that I am wonderfully made.

I will act like the psalmist—I will not compare myself to others, nor will I complain about my appearance. Instead, I will praise the Lord.

His works are marvelous, and I am one of His works. His work cannot be anything but beautiful.

From my diary,

August 21, 2024