Thursday, 16 July 2020
Title: The Promise Keeper
By: Hon Sir Neng

Psalm 132

How does it feel to receive broken promises? We feel betrayed, taken for granted and not being taken seriously. Contrary to all that is happening in the world, all the chaos and rampant evil, God has kept His promises. But the real question is, what are the promises that He has kept? Psalm 132 sings about God’s promises to David (2 Sam. 7) which is laid out for Israel, and eventually for the whole world. Let us look into it and hear what God says.

From verse 1-5, we see the psalmist’s plea for God to remember His promises toward David because of David’s love towards the Lord, as displayed in verses 2-5. All these are an act of worship towards God, especially when David vowed to find a place for God to “dwell” (2 Sam. 7). This is tremendous dedication by David because he will not enter his house nor sleep until he finds a place! In light of this, the people come and worship God (v6-7).

Verses 8-10 shows that God goes to His resting place, which is the Ark of the Covenant. This speaks about God’s dwelling presence with His people. This is because of God’s own promises towards David, where He will dwell with His people. As a result of God dwelling with them, the priests are clothed with righteousness – which is Israel’s calling to bring people to know God. The saints shout for joy as well, celebrating all that God has done for them. Then it ends with another plea for God not to turn their face against God’s anointed ones, the king, for the sake of His promise towards David.

Verses 11-12 elaborate on God’s promise to David. David’s descendants will continue to sit on his throne. But it is under the condition that all of them keep God’s covenant and His testimonies which He teaches them (v12). Only then, will His sons continue to be king over Israel.

In verses 13-18, we see God’s choice of Zion as His dwelling place. This reviews the sure oath that God swore to David. This promise is God’s answer to the prayer of verses 8-10. God promised to preserve the dynasty, and expects the individual heirs of David to be faithful to the covenant. With God present in Zion, which he has chosen, the people will be happy and secure (v15). Singing these words enable the worshippers to delight in their privileges, and not to take them lightly.

In light of all that we have read, we see God keeping His promises. During Israel’s misery in the exile, we see God faithfully preserving David’s kingly line and bringing them back into the Promised Land. Moving on further, we also see God’s faithfulness in keeping His promise towards David by sending Jesus Christ, the one born of David’s lineage to bring God’s Kingdom down and rule over all the nations by the power of His Word (Rev. 2:26-27). We have a sure and true promise given by God that His Son, who descended from the line of David, will rule over all nations.

Prayer

As we take this time to pray, let us think about the fears and anxieties that we have in our lives. If we know God has kept His promises of His kingly rule through Jesus Christ, we have nothing to be afraid of. May we cast all our fears unto Him and trust that He is ruling with wisdom and justice, and all chaos and evil will end one day.

Because we trust in Him, we can also be assured that we have joy and security that is found in Christ. Though we may suffer in this lifetime, God’s promises will not fail. He will bring us to His dwelling place, where we will have our security and joy in Him. As we pray, may we also ask God to help us change our perspective of security and joy – that we find it in His promised King, Jesus Christ, rather than in things of this world.

每日灵粮
星期四, 2020年7月16日
标题：守约人
作者：韩思能

诗篇132

收到违约的感觉如何？我们感到被出卖，被视为理所当然，没有被认真对待。与世界上正在发生的一切，所有混乱和邪恶相反，上帝遵守了他的约。但是真正的问题是，他遵守了什么诺言？诗篇132歌颂了上帝对大卫的约（撒母耳下7）。为以色列，乃至整个世界。让我们调查一下，听听上帝的话。

从第1-5节开始，我们看到诗篇作者恳求上帝记住他对大卫的应许，因为大卫对主的爱，如第2-5节所示。所有这些都是对上帝的敬拜行为，尤其是当大卫发誓要找到一个居住于上帝的地方时撒母耳下7）。大卫付出了巨大的努力，因为他在找到住所之前不会进入他的房子也不会睡觉！有鉴于此，人民来敬拜上帝（6-7节）。

8到10节表明神去了他的安息之地，那是约柜。这是关于神与他子民同居的故事。这是因为上帝对大卫的应许，他将在那里与他的子民同住。由于神与他们同住，祭司披上公义的衣服，这是以色列的呼吁，要带人们认识神。圣徒们也欢呼雀跃，庆祝上帝为他们所做的一切。然后以另一个恳求结束，他们要求上帝不要将他的脸对付受膏者，以色列国王，为了他对大卫的应许。

11到12节详细说明了上帝对大卫的应许。大卫的后代将继续坐在他的宝座上。但这是在所有人都遵守上帝所教导他们的约和他的见证的条件下（第12节）。只有这样，他的儿子们才能继续作以色列的王。

在第13到18节中，我们看到上帝选择了锡安作为他的住所。这回顾了上帝向大卫发誓的誓言。这个应许是神对第8到10节祈祷的回答。上帝应许要维护王朝，并期望大卫的个人继承人忠于盟约。当上帝选择他在锡安时，百姓就会感到快乐和安全（15节）。唱这些话可以使信徒享受他们的特权，而不能轻视他们。

根据我们所读的一切，我们看到上帝遵守了他的应许。在以色列流亡的痛苦中，我们看到上帝忠实地保留着大卫的王室风范，并将其带回应许之地。继续前进，我们还看到上帝的信实，即通过差遣耶稣基督来保持他对大卫的应许。他是大卫家族的一员，他通过他的圣言之力将上帝的国降下来，权柄制伏列国（启示录2：26-27）。上帝给我们一个肯定和真实的诺言，他的儿子从大卫的后裔继承下来，将制伏所有国家。

祷告

当我们花时间祈祷时，让我们考虑一下我们生活中的恐惧和焦虑。如果我们知道上帝通过耶稣基督遵守了他对王权统治的应许，那么我们就没有什么可害怕的。愿我们将所有的恐惧都投给他，并相信他以智慧和正义来统治，所有的混乱和邪恶将有一天结束。因为我们相信他，所以我们也可以放心，我们拥有基督所能找到的喜乐和安全感。尽管我们可能在一生中受苦，但上帝的应许不会失败。祂会将我们带到祂的住所，在那里我们将在祂里面享有我们的安全和喜悦。当我们祈祷时，也可以祈求上帝帮助我们改变对安全和欢乐的看法，我们可以在他应许的国王耶稣基督那里找到，而不是在这个世界上找到。