As True Are His Promises, So Too Are His Warnings
BRD REFLECTION 2025
2 Chronicles 26; 27 and Psalm 95 (NIV)
(Audie Lim, from Discipleship and Nurture Ministry)
READ:
Psalm 95: 1-11 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Today’s passage tells us about our God, “the great King above all gods”, the one who holds all things in His hands (v1-5). Such is His standing that the Lord’s sheep, who understand His power and grace, cannot help but to bow down and worship Him (v6-7). It then proceeds with a warning to hearers not to harden their hearts as an earlier generation did (v8-9), for if they did, they too would forfeit God’s promise of rest (v10-11).
APPLY:
As I read today’s Scripture, it is the greatness of God and the stiffness of my heart that confront me.
The psalmist talks about making a joyful noise with songs of praise and to come into His presence with thanksgiving. Why? For the Lord is a great God, a great King, the Rock of our salvation.
I wonder if I truly grasp these descriptions of God. It all makes rational sense. And yet I am quite certain that I do not truly fathom the zenith of His greatness, for if I did, might I be in far greater awe? I am not sure that I truly comprehend the gravitas of His kingship, for if I did, might I accord Him far greater reverence? And if I truly knew God to be the sure and eternal refuge, the foundation on which rests the hope of heaven, then surely, I would be far more joyous in unceasing worship. But I don’t do these with a fervour that befits a King above all gods.
Perhaps this is why I am confronted by the question – is my heart hardened? Might it be that just like that generation of Israelites who complained about the lack of water? Is my heart indifferent to the One who has proven faithful by redeeming me time and again? Has my callousness surfaced because of my lack of trust in Him? Or perhaps my profession of love for Him shades the bravado of my declaration. In truth, it is both. That is why my rest is often anxious and my worship seemingly lumbering.
But I am thankful that the God of grace should remind me to trust and to obey, to persevere and to love, so that I may enter His rest.
DO:
As true are His promises, so too are His warnings. As reassuring are His promises, His solemn warnings I must also heed. I will strive to listen and continue to trust in Christ. I will persevere in love for Him and in obedience to Him, that I may come into joyful and unceasing worship of God.
PRAY:
My Father and my God, thank You for Your promises and warnings. May it please You soften my heart that I may love You truer and trust You fuller. Lead me to live in Your rhythm of grace, to wait upon You so that I may come into Your rest and be joyful in worship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
