2021-8-30

Psalms 134:1-3; Daniel 1:1-21

Psalms 134:1-3
Key Verse: (Psalms 134:3) May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

　　This is the last part of the song of ascents. It started as the addressing to the Lord’s servants – they even minister during the night. As Hebrew worshippers visited the holy city and the temple several times a year, the servants of the Lord carried on the worship and the service day and night. The song concluded with a beautiful benediction, reminding us that our Lord is the Creator – blessings are coming from Him. Reflecting to where we are today, we also need to remember His servants from all over the world, including those minister ‘during the night’, giving themselves to the work of God and support them with our prayers and the resources bestowed to us.

Daniel 1:1-21

　　Key Verse: (Daniel 1:8) But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

　　The name ‘Daniel’ in Hebrew means ‘God is my judge’. In the exile days, the story and the message of Daniel comforted believers of many generations. The first verse and the last verse gave us the clues about the timing of his service – from Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to the Persian conqueror Cyrus. Chapter one starts with a bold testimony from this young man and his friends during their captivity/service training years. By living on vegetables and water and not giving in for pagan influences, Daniel and his friends stayed true to God. The Lord was his judge and gave them mercy.  He also blessed them with knowledge and wisdom – Daniel was even able to understand visions and interpret dreams. They were deemed as the cream of the crop and entered the king’s service –  more opportunities to witness God’s power and His deeds.

　　Living in this world as a true believer, temptations and trials, big or small, happen in a nonstop fashion. God is our judge; Jesus, not only being the mediator and high priest and savior; he gave us a great example of remaining true to God in his 33 years in the world. May we all be reminded as we sing the hymn ‘O, To Be Like Thee’.

　　(Matthew 4:4) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. ‘ “ 　　　— Ivy Lin

#340 ‘O, To Be Like Thee’
　　5. O to be like Thee! While I am pleading
　　　Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love.
　　　Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
　　　Fit for a life which Thou wouldst approve.
　　　O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
　　　Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
　　　Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
　　　Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.