How marvellous, how wonderful....

My favourite verses are mostly found in the psalms. I like to read the Psalms all the time.

Psalms 8

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?[c]

5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e]
and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their[g] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.




When I look at the design of the world, I cannot but marvel at God's amazing handiwork. Someone wrote that nature is God's handwriting. How true! It is magnificent. Yet, God cares even more for mankind whom He has created. The psalmist say, I am fearfully and wonderfully made in Psalm 139:14. He also put everything under man's feet, to rule over the animals, the flora and fauna. Yet, look at what mankind has done to nature in pursuit of development and material gains.

Unwholesome talk

Ephesians 4:29
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Paul charged the Ephesians that they should behave accordingly now that they are Christians. This is the last part of Chapter 4. 'Unwholesome talk' refers to anything that is not edifying, not building others up but tearing them down. How many times have I passed the opportunity to speak something edifying rather than spread a juicy gossip? Or a smart reply that hurts or humiliates? Or even sarcasm? This does not mean we flatter or compliment others all the time. Speak only what is helpful. Unwholesome talk would also include foul language, coarse jokes, lies and deceit,curses and etc because such communications spring from a corrupt heart. Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, fighting with each other and all other forms of malice.

Instead we are to say something that builds others up. We are to encourage others, saying something that is helpful to them. I remember asking my class to write something positive about each of their classmates on a piece of paper. All these positive comments are compiled and given to each of the students to read what their classmates had said about them. You can see the positive effects of this exercise on the students. Some were not aware that they have so many positive qualities.


Proverbs 15:1 says 'A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I find this true in my daily communications with others. Sometimes hubby comes home tired and wants to unwind in front of the TV while I sulkingly prepare dinner. If I say a harsh word, I am definitely getting a harsh reply. If I ask nicely, help arrives rather quickly. When we are arguing, a harsh word only builds up the anger and we always end up saying things that we do not mean. Sometimes, knowing when to keep quiet is also helpful. When someone loses control, we need to back away instead of charging on with our case. No one is listening anymore.

THINK before speaking. I find this acronym rather helpful.

T - is it truthful?
H - is it helpful?
I - is it inspiring?
N - is it necessary?
K - is it kind?

I have engraved you on the palms of My hands...

Isaiah 49:15-16
15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.


God puts another reminder to His people and their complaints. How can a mother forget the baby that she gave birthed to? won't she have compassion for this baby? The thought of the baby will tug her heart forever. This is how God feels about His children. And though there are mothers who will forget and throw away their babies, God says, 'I will not forget'.

He has engraved His children on the palms of His hands, referring to the practice by some Jews and others to engraved an emblem on their palms to help them remember. Our walls are ever before Him, meaning that we are always before Him, He is constantly reminded of us and He remembers us amidst the trials and chaos.

The Promise of the Spirit

Isaiah 44:3-4
Fear not......For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; they will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.”

This is a promise of the Redeemer to His people. He will not only quench those who are thirsty but He would pour His Holy Spirit on them. The word 'pour' suggests overwhelming gush of the Spirit. There is abundance here. If you are thirsty for God, feeling empty, God is ready to pour. If we have tasted a few drops, are we ready for more? Ask for it and receive Him by faith. This blessing is not only for you but for your descendants as well. And the result of this 'pouring' is life. 'They will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses. Don't we want our children and their children to be blessed as such by the Lord?

No weapon that is formed against you will prosper....

Isaiah 54

Isaiah describes many privileges of the children of God here.
v.11-12 prosperity
v.13-14 vanquished fear
v. 15-17 God's protection

"No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

This is a promise given to the church that no weapon (in whatever forms) that is formed against it will prosper. We will have an answer to those who accuse us. This is the inheritance that He has given to us. Victory comes from Him.

Though we may go through difficult times, be comforted by the fact that nothing happens to us without His knowledge and He is in control(Isaiah 54v16 - He is in charge of the blacksmith). This includes the severity of our storms, what people say about us, the hurts, the turmoil and danger...every blow thrown against us..will not prosper. Why? Because when God is in the war with us, no one can be against us.

Spending time with my Lord

I am always struggling to establish a fixed quiet time with God. So, I have decided to blog my quiet times with Him since I am spending so much time online. Before I do anything else, I have pledged to start with reading His word, meditating and writing about it. Prayerfully, this will be the start of a disciplined journey. Often, I am so busy with my life that my devotional time is often quenched. My purpose is always to put Him in the center of my day and to fit my work around Him. The best times spent with God should be before the world comes knocking at my door.

I downloaded BibleExplorer a long time ago. It comes with a Bible, reading plan, concordance, books and many other things. I think it is high time I use it more. For a start, I will use three questions to guide me as I read and ponder over His word.

What does it say?
What does it mean?
How do I respond?