Today's Passage - Psalm 5:7-12

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Psalms 5:7-12   But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple. Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies - make your way straight before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies. Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.   Abundant love and fearful heart go hand in hand. On the one hand, God is a loving father, so we can come before our father like little children, and tell Him everything that we need. We can come to God with no fear because He's a loving and graceful God. On the other hand, God is also a righteous God and we cannot offend Him, so we must walk in the law and will of God.   From human perspective, it seems like law and freedom are contradictory, but that's not the case in reality. Men can only enjoy true freedom if they are bound by law. If everyone can do whatever they want, there'd be no order and thus no one can enjoy any freedom; there must be a balance between the two. In the same way, when we come before God, we come by the abundant love of God and with a heart that fears Him. God has principles for His work; our intrigues will make us fall and our sin will banish us. On the contrary, those who seek refuse in God will sing for joy, because God will protect them.   Are you like the psalmist, who's encountering difficult circumstances and attacks from the enemy? May God first protect our hearts, let us not hold any grudge inside that results in sin; we must seek refuse in God and depend on Him, because He will protect whoever that seek refuge in Him. Those who love the Lord's name will rejoice in the Lord! Let's not complain about the circumstance, but ask ourselves - In circumstance like this, am I seeking refuge in God? Do I love the Lord's name? When we are willing to do this, the Lord will surround you with His favor as with a shield, so that we may experience His abundant grace.   Pray with Pastor Tong       Lord, I want to give you thanks and praise, because you surround us with you favor like a shield. Let us no longer seek vengeance for ourselves or complain about our circumstance. Let us seek refuge in you wholeheartedly, look upon you and receive grace and mercy from you, so that you will be our help all the time. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!