Blessed Is the Man Who Trusts in You

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!” (Psa 84:11-12)

God is a sun to His children, providing warmth and light. His light directs our path. He is also a shield of protection for us. When we encounter trouble, He is our shield. In due time the Lord will give grace and glory. We will not be afraid of evil tidings if we fully trust in the Lord.

More often than not, life is not what we would have wished. Afflictions and frustrations are unavoidable. When facing pressure, difficulties, tribulations, illnesses, or pain, it is difficult for a person to have a peaceful and non-anxious heart. But the end of man is the beginning of God. To gain God’s grace and help, faith is very important. Only by having faith in God and being able to trust Him can we obtain unexpected peace and have a quiet and anxiety-free heart. Through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, we can realize a “peace which surpasses all understanding” and know that this peace “will guard our hearts and minds” (Phil 4:6, 7). In trusting the Lord, our minds are made easy, and our thoughts are settled. We feel calm assurance knowing that all things are under His control and God causes all things to work together for good.

“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.” (Psa 28:7)

A shield not only provides physical protection but also serves to boost our confidence. God will give us rest by trusting His word. We can often recall many occasions when God strengthened and protected us. Each victory brings an opportunity to rejoice and be thankful. By counting the blessings of God, we are constantly reminded that God will always watch over us, just as He always has. Happy is the person who trusts in God!

Blessed Are Those Who Dwell in the House of God

“Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You.” (Ps 84:4)

Dwelling in the house of God means dwelling in the grace of God and abiding in His love. “Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young” (vs 3). The ‘home of the sparrow’ and the ‘resting places for the young swallow’ are built at the altars. This teaches us to build our dwelling house in the grace and love of God. As David said, “I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.” (Ps 27:4).

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The Sweet Psalmist of Israel

People are often remembered by remarkable discoveries, critical innovations, or monumental achievements because of their impact on human history and society. Those accomplishments are typically summarized in a person’s epitaph. For example, the epitaph of Thomas Jefferson reads:

HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON, AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.

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Blessed Is the Man Whose Strength Is in You

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.” (Ps 84:5)

Have you ever felt like your life is shattered by the unpredictable trouble and fear in recent years from the global pandemic, inflation boom, growing violence, and numerous natural disasters? It is hard to feel secure about our life and surroundings. The world is full of uncertainty, afflictions, and tears. Yet, we all need to face and pass through our journey of life to make the pilgrimage.

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He Heals the Gentile Woman’s Daughter

Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. —Matthew 15:28

The manifestation of miracles is related to the faith of the seeker. The miracle of healing the Gentile woman’s demon-possessed daughter is one example. The Canaanite woman, who humbled herself to beg for mercy despite the Lord’s harsh words, demonstrated not only her great faith but also persistence in seeking God’s mercy and grace.

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