Tuesday

 Tuesday Fellowship meeting: 
1 Apr 2025 at 11am, in Plaza Hall.
Speaker: Rev Dr Soh Guan Chin
Founder and President of “The Joshua Mission.”
(An international teaching ministry on the Bible, leadership and discipleship, that seeks to equip leaders to feed their flock.)

To register, text your name to 9178 9338/9484 6652.

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The Reach of the Reign of God

(according to Psalms 1 & 2)

The first 2 Psalms of the collection in the Bible, have often been linked together and contrasted. They have been commended as a fitting beginning to the 5 books of 150 Psalms.

Psalm 1	Psalm  2
Wisdom / Instruction Psalm	Royal & Messianic Psalm
Devotional Life of Individual	God’s Sovereignty over History & World
Contrast: Godly vs Ungodly	Contrast: Nations vs Divine Ruler
Destiny of Persons	Destiny of Nations
Focus: God’s Law	Focus: Prophecy (Millennial Kingdom...)
People: Delight in the Law	People: Defy the Law
Begins with Blessing	Ends with Blessing
Never quoted in New Testament	Often-quoted Psalm in New Testament

 

Psalm 1

1. The Life of the Godly/Righteous:
   1. Blessed (happy, favoured state of spiritual well-being) because she/he does not walk, stand or sit (note: increasing intimacy) with the wicked, sinners and mockers, who ridicule God. His/her worldview, ethical and moral decisions are not influenced by “worldly” people. (NB: Be very discerning regarding views/information shared on social media. The people/friends we spend a significant amount of time with, have an influence on our lives/attitudes/values/beliefs!)
   2. She/he “delights” in the Law of the Lord (Scripture) and he/she “meditates”, (reflects) on Scripture, “day and night” (continually). (NB: The more you study/memorise the Bible, the more your interest in it is kindled!)
   3. He/she is like an (evergreen) tree planted by streams of nourishing/refreshing water, which bears fruit in season (every season of life, in hard times and good times), with leaves that do not wither (their work has eternal value). (NB: Productive life: winning souls, character with fruit-of-the-Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; active in good works/service; contributing towards financial needs.) Her work/service “prospers”– successful/ meeting with God’s approval. This prosperity does not refer specifically/only to materialistic “health and wealth” blessings on earth.)
      
      
2. The Life of the Ungodly/Wicked:
   1. The “wicked” are compared to husks/chaff which are blown away by the wind, while the grain are retained. They will not be included, when the righteous are gathered. They will be separated, and on the path to eternal destruction. (NB: Jesus said: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” (Matt 7:13,14)
      
      

3. Conclusion: The Lord watches over the way of the righteous. He is lovingly guiding us, taking care of us, as we journey through life, till we arrive in His loving Presence, to be with Him, forever.

Psalm 2

Psalm 2 was attributed to King David (Acts 4:25,26). During David’s reign, Israel was often surrounded by hostile nations which threaten its security and sovereignty, though David was God’s anointed king. Hence this Psalm’s reference to plots and conspiracy. It is both a Royal and Messianic Psalm because it likely refers to a near and distant fulfilment: (1) a Davidic King (eg. David/Solomon) as well as (2) the Eternal Kingship of the Messiah/Jesus Christ, also a descendent of David, in the distant future. (Davidic Covenant)

1. Rebellion of the Nations: (1-3)
   The leaders (kings/rulers) of the nations band together to plot against the Lord (God) and his “anointed” (Davidic king and/or Messiah). With their futile plans, they hope to break “free” from His authority.
   (NB: There is need for some authority, without which anarchy/chaos results.
   True Freedom is to be connected with our Creator, who will help us to fulfil His purpose for our lives.)

2. Response of God: (4-6)
   Almighty God, who sits upon His throne in heaven, laughs! He rebukes them and calmly states: “I have installed My king in Zion.” (Davidic king/Christ). The rebellious leaders do not realise that their power is from God and He can remove their power easily. Besides, “all people are like grass” and “the grass withers.” (Isaiah 40:6-8) To God, “all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket.”(Isaiah 40:15) It describes the futility/absurdity of human efforts to thwart God’s plans.

3. Rule of the Son: (7-9)
   King Jesus proclaims God’s decree: “You are My Son; today I have become your Father.” This was quoted by Paul, when referring to Jesus’ resurrection. (Acts 13:33). God promised Jesus: “I will make the nations your inheritance. The ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron. You will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
   (NB: Jesus’ 1st Coming was as a Sacrificial Lamb to take the penalty for all the sins of the world. But His 2nd Coming will be as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will return on a white horse with a sword in His mouth, and heaven’s armies, to triumphantly smash those/all who oppose Him, like pottery. Ancient kings have a ritual of breaking pots, which signify the enemy’s army, before they go to war.)(Rev 19:11-16)

4. Responsive Submission to the Son:
   In view of the Father’s decree and the prophesied future Sovereign rule of Jesus: Kings and rulers (world leaders) are urged to be wise, to be warned/instructed and to serve/submit to God/His will with fear (awe) and trembling. They are encouraged to “kiss” His Son (showing allegiance/full surrender, in ancient world). They will then avoid destruction. Those who take refuge/put their trust in the Son of God will be blessed, with True Joy.

Q: What is your response to the invitation to trust in Jesus, Son of God?

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“And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD.....
These I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.....
“For my house will be a house of prayer – for all nations.”

Isaiah 56:6-8

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Saturday

 

WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group

“Psalms of Prayer and Praise!”
The Psalms is the most often quoted OT book in the New Testament. It is much loved because it expresses a wide range of human emotions and life experiences, which all readers can identify with. It also reminds us to trust God who is loving, faithful and sovereign over human affairs, history, nations and creation.

Next Meeting: 12 Apr 2025 at 2pm (online)
The WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group “meets” on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.

We study Holy Scripture to know God better, and gain a better understanding of His work in the world and His ways. In the process, we encourage one another along our personal pilgrimage.

We welcome ladies of all ages! (online)