Psalm 129 & 130: Affliction
Verse of the Day: (129:1) Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
1. Affliction (129:1-3)
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. (129:2)
Throughout history, Israel has been afflicted and persecuted by the Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Philistines, the Syrians, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Nazis, etc., but they survive until now, because they are God’s chosen people whom He has been protecting and preserving them. However, God still punishes Israel if they refuse to acknowledge and receive Him as their personal Saviour. Today, God has chosen the church, founded by His Son, Jesus Christ, who left heaven and came to earth to die on the cross shedding His blood for the sins of the world, to replace Israel as His ambassadors. (2 Corinthians 5:20-21) The reason why Israel has many enemies is because the devil, the enemy of God, is behind them, as he seeks to hinder the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the world, who is from the lineage of Abraham, the founder of Israel. (Genesis 12:1-3) The devil knows that he has a short time as he shall be eternally condemned to hell because of his pride, and hence he takes every opportunity not only to thwart God’s redemption plan of man, but to deceive man in denying Christ and dragging them to hell. (Revelation 20) Let us thus flee from the devil and draw near to God and endure afflictions and one day He shall promote us to His glorious heaven. (James 5:7-11)
2. Asunder (129:4-8)
The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. (129:4)
Only the righteous God can cut asunder the bondage of the devil and sins upon us setting us free to worship and serve Him. Only as we trust God and put on His whole armour, and especially taking His Sword, which is God’s Word, can we not only stand against, but even overcome the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-19) Let us thus trust God and His Word, which is powerful like a two-edged sword dividing asunder our hearts, and He shall enable us to have the victory over the devil and sins now and forever. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
3. Attention (130:1-8)
Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. (130:2)
God shall be attentive to all who believe in and receive Him as their personal Saviour and Lord. God shall hear, forgive and redeem us when we call upon Him, and repent our sins. Indeed, let us wait upon God, and be attentive to His Word, as He is always attentive to all our prayers, and He shall help us to overcome all crises, even this present pandemic Covid 19, that has destabilised the entire world with its deadly infection. (Luke 19:45-48)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to endure affliction and suffering in Your mighty name.
