2020-2-3

Psalm 62:1-12

Where Shall We Put Our Trust?

Key Verse:

(Psalm 62:8) Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

(Verse 1-8)

The poet first called up his soul as he found rest in our God amongst opposition. He had an intimate and personal relationship with God that he described God as ‘his’ rock, fortress, refuge, honor, and hope. Then he called upon his people and testified with encouragement and echoed the message to put the trust in the Lord alone.

(Verse 9-12)

The poet continued with the discussion of trust. People, power, and possessions were all temporal. Alpha and omega belong to the one who sits on the throne, our strong and loving God, who saved us and gave us the eternal hope.

Lord, may our souls find rest in you and you alone and may we be encouraged by your love and faithfulness to share your gospel so that many may come to you and know you are the Lord, the Savior, and Redeemer.

Matthew 20:1-34

How Do You Measure Grace?

Key Verse:

(Matthew 20:14b) …I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you.

(Verse 1-16) The Parable of the Vineyard

We might find this story confusing and less acceptable by the views of modern labor relations. Pay equity and discrimination seems to be the glaring issue that leads to erroneous conclusions or life applications such as ‘God is not fair’ or ‘the employer surely has the authority to pay at different rates for the same labor’.

May the Lord give us the capacity and the obedience to understand and follow His Words. Let us focus on the Scriptures and the context:

This parable is a continuation of Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of God in Chapter 19. The last section of Chapter 19 is about the rich young man and entering the kingdom of God. Jesus taught his disciples that it is not by merit or wealth of men, but by the grace and power of God. (Matthew 19:26 ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’) With this reflection, the workers in the vineyard are all called by the Lord to follow him and work for him by His power and grace. Who could be qualified to work for Him, our Holy and Almighty God? How dare we think that we are better or higher than other workers? The Lord exhibits his generosity and gives the last group first, with the same as he gives to the first group. How dare we think to measure or match ‘our efforts’ to God’s grace?

Lord, may we all be reminded that you called us to be your faithful servants, not the grumpy one. May your grace reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:21b).

(Verse 17-34) What Is It We Want?

While Jesus predicted his death a third time, people around him were still fuzzy about the final step of his ministry and focusing on their own scope of what Jesus could do for them. The disciples’ mom requested the future position and power and the blinds requested the sight. Our Lord Jesus had such a compassion that he responded them with patience and love. He came to save, and to give his life as the ransom for all. What do we want? To be saved from the wrath. The reconciliation between men and God. The peace, the joy, and the hope. May His will be done.

— Ivy Lin