In the Presence of God: The Glowing Countenance of Moses

 "So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him." (Exodus 34:28, 29)

This is the longest quiet time ever, lasting forty days anf forty nights! The time spent in the Lord's presence made Moses forget earthly needs: he neither ate bread nor drank water. There he received God's law written on stone tablets. When he came down from the mountain, his face was shining. Others saw it, but he didn't know about it.

A person who spends time with the Lord is a light to the world; he may not see it himself, but others see that light.

From my diary,

February 12,   2024

In the Heart of the Psalmist: A Heart That Is Inclined to Obey God’s Word

"Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness." - Psalm 119:36

"I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end." - Psalm 119:112

The psalmist not only prays that God will incline his heart to God's Word, but he himself inclines his heart to God's Word. He is not lazy; he knows that in addition to prayer, effort is also needed to perform God’s statutes.

When the heart is inclined to God's statutes, it becomes easy to obey God's Word. When the heart is inclined to wrong things, in the wrong direction, the hands cannot participate in God's work, and the feet cannot walk in God's way.

The psalmist not only speaks about God's statutes but also performs them. He performs God's statutes not outwardly, but with his heart, a heart that is inclined to perform them. He wants to perform God's statutes not for a while, but always, to the very end.

This is perfect obedience to God's Word.

Topical meditation 2024

February 11

In the Heart of the Psalmist: A Heart That Is Humble and Peaceful

 

"My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great things or matters too lofty for me. Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." - Psalm 131:1-2

Blessed is the quietness that comes from humility. To have a peaceful state of mind, one must have humility in the heart. The psalmist has a humble heart, and because of it, he has peace.

A humble person has peace because:

1. He does not aspire to great things. He is satisfied with what he has; he has a satisfied heart.

2. He does not envy.

3. He does not seek to be the center of attention.

4. He does not care what others think of him.

5. He does not seek praises.

6. He seeks the benefit of others.

7. He desires to please the Lord.

8. He knows about his weaknesses, so he asks the Lord for strength; he relies on Him.

9. He is forgiving.

10. He accepts rebuke and correction.

11. He does not try to surpass everyone in all areas.

Because of all this, there is no anxiety or worry in his heart, unlike the proud, who seek great things and get angry when they do not get them, worry about what people think of them, and lose their peace in case of negative opinions, envy others, and envy takes away peace; they look for praises and get angry when they don't get them. The proud do not forgive, and the feeling of revenge does not let them live in peace. The proud do not accept rebuke and are offended. They strive to be the first in everything, and if someone surpasses them, they get angry. They are self-confident, overestimate their abilities, and as a result, experience disappointment. The Lord Himself opposes the proud, but the Lord gives grace to the humble.

The one whose eyes are not haughty the Lord looks down on him with favor. He who does not seek high things receives grace from the Most High.

If I want quietness and peace in my heart, I must ask the Lord for humility.

Topical meditation 2024

February 10

In the Heart of the Psalmist: A Heart That Is Ready to Praise

"My heart is ready, oh God, my heart is ready; I shall glorify and sing praise in my honor." - Psalm 108:1

The psalmist can sing praise because his heart is ready. A ready heart is renewed by the Word of God, inhabited by the Word of God, and delights in the Word of God.

A ready heart is a sanctified heart longing for more holiness, a heart grateful to the Lord in every situation. A ready heart has a good memory; it remembers all the good things and blessings that God has given. A ready heart is a heart that hates sin and grieves over sin. If the heart is ready to praise God in every situation, the lips are ready to sing.

Singing praise to the Lord requires not only a ready voice but, above all, a ready heart.

Topical meditation 2024

February 9

 

In the Heart of the Psalmist: A Heart That Responds to God’s Invitation

 "When You said, 'Seek My face,' My heart said to You, 'Your face, LORD, I will seek.' Do not hide Your face from me…" (Psalm 27:8)

Here is a heart that responds to God's invitation. There is perfect harmony between these two sentences: "When You Said" and "My Heart Said To You." The Lord said: "Seek my face," and David's heart answered, "I will seek your face." God's will and David's desire are the same. God's commandment and the psalmist's prayer have the same theme.

A heart renewed by God's Word always responds to God's invitation. He who has such a heart makes God's commandment a subject of prayer.

Topical meditation 2024

February 8

In the Heart of the Psalmist: A Heart That Is Fearless

"Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident." - Psalm 27:3

There were enemies in David's life, there were dangers, but there was no fear in his heart, for it was fortified with unwavering trust in the Almighty God. Fear could not dwell together with faith. Fear and faith are mutually exclusive.

The psalmist has a safe hiding place, he has no reason to fear.

‘’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." - Psalm 27:5

A heart that trusts in the Lord is a fearless heart.

Topical meditation 2024

February 7

 

In the Heart of the Psalmist: A Heart That Is a Storeroom

 

"I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11)

The psalmist loves God's Word, delights in God's Word. For him, the Word of God is better than gold and silver (Psalm 119:72, 127). He keeps it in the right place, in his heart. The best storehouse for God's Word is the heart. When the Word of God is kept in the heart, the heart is kept from sin.

Every child of God can say the same.

Here is something I love – God’s Word.

Here is something I hate – sin.

To avoid what I hate, I need to keep what I love in the right storeroom – my heart.

Topical meditation 2024

February 6

In the Heart of the Psalmist: A Heart That Is Trusting, A Heart That Is Rejoicing

 "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." (Psalm 28:7)

"But I have trusted in Your faithfulness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation." (Psalm 13:5)

This week, I want to meditate on the verses in which the psalmist talks about the condition of his heart, expressing what is within. Every child of God can resonate with the words of the psalmist concerning their own heart.

The psalmist could say: "My heart greatly rejoices, my heart will rejoice in Your salvation," because before that, he had said: "My heart trusted in Him," "I have trusted in Your faithfulness." When trust in the Lord dwells in the heart, it is never the sole occupant; it always coexists with joy in the Lord and praise to the Lord.

He who trusts in the Lord is never disappointed; he always finds help from the Lord, resulting in joy and praise.

Having also trusted in the Lord and found help, I can echo the psalmist's feeling: "My heart trusted Him, therefore my heart greatly rejoices."

Topical meditation 2024

February 5

The Call to Alignment: Are You on the Lord's Side

 “Whoever is on the LORD’s side—come to me!” (Exodus 32:26)

Those on the Lord's side are always in union with God's true servants. Those who were on the Lord's side could not be against Moses. Moses' challenge was responded to by those who were not on the side of idols but of the living God. There is no third party; either you are with the Lord or you are against Him. If we are on the Lord's side, then we have chosen His Word, the eternal life He has given us, and we have made a decision to serve Him. If we are on the Lord's side, we hate idols, sins, and false teachings. If we are on the Lord's side, then we use our time, talents, and material resources for His work. If we are on the Lord's side, we confess Him publicly. If we are on the Lord's side, then His friends are our friends, and His enemies are our enemies. If we are on the Lord's side, we are soldiers of His army, fighting against the devil and against sin. If we are on the Lord's side, then we are on the safe side; we enjoy God's protection, guidance, comfort, and we have victory in the spiritual war. If we are on the Lord's side, we will never regret that choice, and we will never be disappointed.

From my diary,

February 4,  2024

The Heart of Spiritual Maturity

 "And they went out of the prison and entered into the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed. (Acts 16:40)

Paul and Silas suffered great tribulations, were beaten, and received wounds. However, after leaving prison, they did not seek comfort but comforted others themselves. They went to Lydia's house and comforted the brethren.

This is one of the signs of spiritual maturity. Spiritual babies expect to receive encouragement, comfort, and care. Spiritually mature people want to give all of this.

Spiritual babies, upon hearing a sermon about love, complain that there is no love in the church. In contrast, spiritually mature people will worry if there is lack of love in themselves.

From my diary,

February 3  2024

Continue with the Lord

 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Acts 11:23

Barnabas' exhortation to the Christians in Antioch is important for all of God's children. He encourasged them to continue with the Lord. Walking the right path isn't enough; you have to go the whole way.

He knew there would be temptations to go back, to become lukewarm and indifferent. He knew the enemy would use many tricks to turn new believers away from the Lord. That's why he gave the right exhortation: to continue with the Lord, to stay with the Lord with purpose of heart.

I will stay with the Lord, and the devil will leave; the temptations will be defeated, I will make progress in sanctification, God's children will rejoice, and many people will be drawn to the Lord.

From my diary,

February 2,  2024

From Tribulation to Joy: The Revival in Samaria

 "And there was great joy in that city." - Acts 8:8

The joy in Samaria came in the wake of intense mourning, persecution, and tribulation in Jerusalem. Stephen had been martyred, numerous believers were imprisoned, and everyone, except the apostles, was scattered. However, through this persecution, the Word of God spread far and wide. While one of God's children faced the loss of life, many others received the gift of eternal life. As believers were imprisoned, many souls in Samaria found freedom from the prison of sin. The great tribulation paved the way for an even greater joy, sparking a remarkable revival.

Angels rejoiced in heaven, God's children rejoiced on earth.

From my diary,

February 1,  2024

I will do everything that the LORD has spoken

And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken. - Exodus 19:8

I want these words spoken by the people of Israel to be my daily decision, but let that decision be based not on my ability, but on God's power.

"I will do everything that the LORD has spoken.’’

It’s not 'I will do some of the things that the LORD has spoken, but 'I will do everything that the LORD has spoken.'

It’s not 'I will listen to everything that the LORD has spoken,' but 'I will do everything that the LORD has spoken.'

It’s not 'I plan to do everything that the LORD has spoken,' but 'I will do everything that the LORD has spoken.'

Lord, help me to be steadfast in that decision, to obey You in all things and at all times.

From my diary,

January 30,  2024

God's people: then and now

Who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:10)

Peter emphasizes the stark contrast between the past and present of Christians. Once, we were not a people, but now, we are the chosen people of Almighty God—a holy nation, a chosen generation. In our past, we were lost, but now, we have found mercy, and through that mercy, we are saved, justified, and progressing in sanctification. Reflecting on this difference between the past and the present is crucial. This remembrance prevents boasting and fosters humility in the present. Gratitude for the mercy received in the present is a natural outcome of such reflection.

Moreover, remembering the past cultivates faith in God for the future. Thus, the beautiful result of recalling the difference between the past and the present includes humility, gratitude, and a deepened faith in God's ongoing work in our lives.

From my diary,

January 30,  2024 

The Winning Strategy: Submission to God and Defiance against the Devil

"Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7

The Apostle James commands two actions for certain victory: submitting to God, who loves us and desires good things for us, and resisting the devil, who hates us and seeks to harm us.

Satan must be resisted at all times because he attacks at all times. The enemy sends temptations unexpectedly, catching us by surprise. Hence, we must be vigilant every second. Satan knows a lot about us; he is well-acquainted with our weaknesses and besetting sins, while we are aware of his cunning, deceitful nature, and strategic skills. He is always ready to attack, so we must always be ready to resist.

Our enemy possesses power, but we have Almighty God. God is our Commander, and His children, the soldiers of His army, are our allies. Armed with tried and tested weapons such as the Word of God, the experience of past victories, and prayer, we are equipped with heavenly armor. It's not enough to admire our armor; we must wear it.

By obeying God's Word, our victory is guaranteed.

From my diary,

January 29,  2024 

 

Moses' Unshakable Faith: A Contrast to Pharaoh's Arrogance

 "So Moses said, 'You have spoken well. I will never see your face again.' - Exodus 10:29

I really like Moses' response to Pharaoh. The hard-hearted monarch had threatened Moses: 'Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face, you shall die!'

Pharaoh's words reveal arrogance, conceit, and self-confidence. In stark contrast, Moses' response is filled with faith in God. Considering Pharaoh's repeated lies and broken promises after witnessing nine miraculous events, Moses knew that God would no longer tolerate his hardened heart. He was confident that God would miraculously deliver His people.

That’s why with unwavering courage, Moses declared, 'I will never see your face again.'

From my diary,

January 28,  2024 

Faith – the sense of sight

 "Jesus replied, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'’ (John 11:40)

Many Christians often say that faith is our sixth sense, and indeed, it is. Faith is the sense of spiritual sight. Just as without the organ of sight, it is not possible to see physical reality, so without the organ of spiritual sight, it is not possible to see spiritual reality. That's why Jesus told Martha that it takes faith to see God's glory.

When there is true faith, there is a healthy sense of sight. If you have faith, you can see the treasures hidden in God's Word, perceive God's mercy and hidden blessings, discern God's solutions in difficult situations, recognize not only our own powerlessness but also God's power, and envision God's promises before receiving them. Faith allows you to see God's ability to make the impossible possible.

Therefore, faith is the organ of spiritual sight, the sixth sense.

From my diary,

January 27,  2024