Today's Passage - Psalm 35:18-28

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Psalm 35:18-28   I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you. Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye... May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant." My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.   When you are attacked by the enemy, there's one thing that we must learn, which is not to escape from the hardship when it comes to you. When we are in the midst of hardship, attacked by the enemy or fall into state of financial distress, we often want to escape from the problem. We don't want to come to church, see our friends or see the brothers and sisters, because we don't want to face our problems. Brothers and sisters, in Christ we belong to the same body and we're one family. When we encounter any difficult circumstance or hardship, we need to learn to support one another as brothers and sisters, and bear each other's burden.   Verse 18 says that "I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you." The psalmist clearly understood this truth, so when he encountered all kinds of difficulties, he would turn back to church to praise and give thanks to God with fellow brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters, when you are feeling weak, I also encourage you not to withdraw. You must go back to church and praise God with other brothers and sisters. Sometimes our faith is weak when we're alone, if you try to praise and give thanks to God you might run out of words quickly, because your heart is filled with doubt. When you come before God with other brothers and sisters, even if you are in hardship, your soul will be uplifted and your faith will be strengthened with prayer when everyone around you are looking upon the Lord's throne, lifting the Lord high and praising Him. If you, however, try to escape, your faith will only become weaker.   May God help us to come before God and uplift the throne of the Lord with brothers and sisters. Not only that, when we are with brothers and sisters, let us support one another, bear each other's burden and share each other's joy. This is such a precious thing! May God give us the joy of being in His family. Let us learn to praise God together with brothers and sisters and support one another!   Pray with Pastor Tong         Lord, we thank you because you let us dash forward on our spiritual journey with other brothers and sisters. May you teach us to praise you with brothers and sisters, and to support one another in our daily life. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!