Learn from Him

B. A. Manakala I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Ps. 40:10 When I was in college, I was badly beaten by a teacher for a malpractice in which I wasn't involved! Justice had no value there. Let a hundred guilty be acquitted, but one innocent should not be convicted is said to be a maxim followed by the Indian criminal justice system. But can it be successfully implemented always? Our God is just, faithful and powerful to save (Ps. 40:10). There is no other system or power that can do all these three. Let's proclaim about his justice, faithfulness and saving power to everyone around us: family, church and society.                Justice has the highest value in God's Kingdom; we must proclaim it. Prayer: Lord, enable me to proclaim Your justice to everyone around me. Amen

B. A. Manakala I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. Ps. 40:8 On weekends, we, as family, try to go for a walk where there are greeneries, birds and the like. All of us enjoy watching such beautiful creations. What do you enjoy the most? What do you delight in?   David says in Ps. 40:8a that he enjoys doing the will of God. In the second part of the verse David acknowledges that God's instructions are written in my heart. This is because God's will for us is revealed through His word. Blessed are those who delight in his word and meditate on it day and night (Ps. 1:2) Does doing God's will bring you joy?   One who loves the Lord will enjoy doing His will Prayer: Lord, continue to transform me, so that I will enjoy doing Your will increasingly. Amen

B. A. Manakala You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that You have made me listen, I finally understand — You don ’ t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Ps. 40:6 If a beggar persistently begs for a long time in front of me I will somehow, not heartfully, give a coin and avoid him. Does God beg for our offerings? Does he really need our offerings and sacrifices? Psalm 40:6 says, He doesn't need them. What do we offer to God? Tithe? Offerings? Yes, we better be faithful in giving. But do we do this heart fully, or on compulsion? God desires to have us in full: our body, soul and spirit. If we love God, then let's give our lives to him (John 15:13); Give ourselves as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1). Giving money to God is a sacrifice. Living sacrifices are even preferable. Prayer: Lord, teach me to give You that which You desire, not what I desire. Amen

B. A. Manakala Many, LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, the things You planned for us. None can compare with You; were I to speak and tell of Your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Ps. 40:5 Can we praise God for something even when we are in trouble? Frankly speaking I have never come to a point in life when I felt God has done too many wonders for me! I realize that it is only because I do not purposefully remember and list down the good things he has done. The wonders You have done are too many to declare , says David (40:5). Even as we, as an organization, are going through tough times can we individually and as a group intentionally   identify the many wonders he has done for us? You will never see the wonders God has done for you unless you intentionally identify them. Prayer: Lord, forgive me for I often ignore the many wonders You have done for me. Help me to count Your blessings and name them one by one. Amen

B. A. Manakala Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Ps. 40:4 D. L. Moody once said, you don't have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods … . Whatever you make most of is your god. Whatever you love more than God is your idol. All of us may answer the question 'do you worship false gods?' as 'no'! But is there 'anything' that steals our time that must be given to God? Such things must be considered as kinds of 'false gods'. David says in the above verse that, blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. Do we look to our God like an infant that always looks to its mother? We often unintentionally make our own false gods and offend God. Prayer: Teach me, Lord, to turn to you for all needs and difficult situations in my life. Amen

B. A. Manakala He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Ps. 40:3 My six year old son composes his own songs in the tunes of other known songs and sings them around loudly. Some of those words are meaningful as they are based on the biblical principles he has learned. David wrote many Psalms; each was a new song when he sang it first. David made instruments (1 Chr. 23:5) and played music (1 Sam. 16:18). Ps. 40:3 maybe his new song here: Oh, the joys of those who trust in the Lord. Those who trust in the Lord can be joyful and sing. Let ’ s sing to the Lord with new words of praise. Old songs may be sung in absent mind, while new songs may make more sense. Prayer: Lord, help me to praise You as often as possible, even with new songs. Amen

B. A. Manakala He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. Ps. 40:2 Once we were walking through some woods. At a certain point we had to jump over some mud. My five year old son jumped and fell into the mud. We helped him up, cleaned him up and moved on. Yet he was uncomfortable until we got home and changed his dress. Nobody likes to be in mud and mire. No one can enjoy sad moments. A valley indicates that there's a mountain ahead. David explains of it as a time to wait patiently for the Lord (40:1). As a result he was lifted and placed on a solid ground (verse 2). God Himself is our rock (Ps. 18:2) that can never be shaken by any powers! In mud you will appreciate solid ground. Prayer: Lord, hold our hands as we pass through the valleys in life. Amen

B. A. Manakala When You discipline us for our sins, You consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath. Ps. 39:11 Recently we adopted a way of disciplining our children differently. We take away one of their privileges. For example they won't be allowed to watch TV for a day which hurts them. God also deals similarly with us. David says here, God consumes what is precious to us. So he disciplines us such a way that it will hurt us and that we will not repeat the sin. What do you consider precious? Your job? Wealth? Life itself? It may not be the same for all. It's inappropriate to love our life on earth. John 12:25 says "Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity." If God touches something that is precious to you be warned. What is truly precious is eternal. Prayer: Lord, help me understand and love what is truly precious. Amen

B. A. Manakala I am silent before you; I won ’ t say a word, for my punishment is from You. Ps. 39:9 When I scold my children for their mistakes they often go to extreme silence, particularly when they realize that they were wrong. And, listening is not possible without silence. David knows here that God is rebuking him for his sins. After all, we are always sinful! Aren't we? Silence is a great strategy that we can adopt before God very often. Ps. 46:10 says, be still and know that I am God. It's important to silently listen, watch, observe, learn and know God. When was the last time you kept silent before God? Are you aware when God is angry at you? Silence communicates a lot in various situations! Prayer: Lord, help me to be silent before You whenever that is necessary. Amen

B. A. Manakala Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is. Ps. 39:4 Even the long life promised in the scriptures (e.g. Eph. 6:2) are short! Perhaps, COVID-19 can be considered as an answer to this prayer from David in Ps. 39:4? Most of the things, if not all, that people do on earth will only be beneficial on earth, and may not have any effect in eternity. In verses 4-6 David keeps talking about the temporariness of our life on earth. But why? Verse 7 may be the answer. Our tendency is to place our hope in temporary things on earth. But for one who keeps eternity in perspective the hope must be in God. The traditional proclamation goes 'long live the king'; but how long? Prayer: Lord, help me put my hope only in you and not on temporary earthly things. Amen

B. A. Manakala Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. Ps. 38:21 We understand the difference in time and in space. We differentiate between yesterday , today and tomorrow , and between far and near . But God is beyond time and space. 'Forever' is God's time and 'everywhere' is His space. If God is everywhere (Jer. 23:24) how can He be distant (Ps. 38:22)? God can never stay away from anyone or anything! But He is far from the wicked (Prov 15:29); God hates sin (6:16-19). I believe God said, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End ” just for man's sake because we are limited in time. His time is eternity! Man cannot truly measure God's 'foreverness' and 'everywhereness'. Prayer: Lord, help me understand that You are beyond time and space. Amen

B. A. Manakala My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance. Ps. 38:11 Social distancing has become a familiar term these days as it is one of the most important ways to defeat COVID-19. Man is a social animal and he can't survive without the society. But the current situation demands the opposite. Today when I sneeze people try to stay away from me. In Ps. 38:11 even David's loved ones distanced him as he was sick. But his sickness in this context doesn't seem to be anything more than his guilt about the sin he committed with Bathsheba. In the garden of Eden guilt of sin distanced man from God. Today it causes even social distancing. Guilt of sin may distance you from God and man; repentance can mend the relationship with both. Prayer: Lord, wipe away the guilt of sin from me and help me to repent and rebuild the relationship with you. Amen

B. A. Manakala Because of Your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins. Ps. 38:3 The Psalm may be written after David killed Uriah to marry his wife Bathsheba. A few verses in the psalm points to God's anger as the reason for his sickness (38:3a). But David also acknowledges here that it is his sin that makes him sick (38:3b-4). Your own sin can make you sick. The guilt of David's sin was very heavy on him (verse 4). But such guilty consciousness and sickness are good as they lead to repentance. David had to face the consequences, but was forgiven. Be cautious if you are not guilty about your sin. Welcome any sickness that leads you to repentance, and thereby closer to God. Prayer: Lord, please make me guilty of any sins in my life that I may repent. Amen

B. A. Manakala O Lord, don ’ t rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your rage! Ps. 38:1 Once I witnessed a child crying to his father to let him touch a hot iron box. Father denied it strongly. The child cried all the more. Finally, the father let the child touch it! You know what would be the consequence. It is best not to beat your child when you are angry. But no parents leave their children undisciplined. David here is only requesting God not to discipline when God is angry (38:1). A good picture of how God disciplines us is in Heb 12:4-11. Heb 12:6 says, "For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child. ” Welcome God's discipline; you will only love the result. Prayer: Lord, help me understand and be submissive when You discipline me. Amen

B. A. Manakala The Lord rescues the godly; He is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in Him. Ps. 37:39-40 Good Friday is a wonderful day to remember God's wonderful plan of salvation for humanity. It might also be tough for many people to understand how he is saving people in the midst of COVID-19 situation! However, it's important to know and understand that rescue and salvation can come from him alone! Even as Jesus had to go through many sufferings on earth for the sake of our salvation (Mk.8:31) we his children have to pass through many troubles while on earth (Jn. 16:33). God and His plan for salvation for humanity are sovereign. Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the pain You went through for my salvation. Help me to think of it in the midst of the troubles on earth. Amen

B. A. Manakala Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. Ps. 37:25 The COVID-19 situation has made many of us to store up groceries and other necessary eatables. We are not sure if there is going to be a famine in the near future. If so whatever we store up may not be sufficient. Yet the godly will not beg for bread (Ps. 37:25). We need to pray for daily bread (Mtt. 6:11). Jesus said, man cannot live by bread alone (Mtt. 4:4) and that he himself is the bread of life (Jn. 6:35). We are keen on feeding our physical body. How much are we feeding our inner man? Physical bread sustains our physical body for our short life on earth; spiritual bread prepares us for eternity. Beg more for the Bread that sustains us eternally, less for the bread that sustains us temporarily. Prayer: Lord, feed me regularly with physical and spiritual bread. Amen

B. A. Manakala They fill their minds with God's laws; they do not stray from walking on God's path. Ps. 37:31 (t4t) It may not be surprising that many of us may be filling our minds with COVID19 news these days. Yes, it's important to know the current situation around you and around the world. But it may not be worth filling your minds with such news?   As children of God it matters what we fill our hearts with. It's important to fill our hearts with the word of God when walking on His path is our priority. Ps. 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." "the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" (Mtt. 12:34). What you always speak is what you generally meditate on. Prayer: Lord, help me to fill my heart with the Word of God. Amen

B. A. Manakala Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Ps. 37:24 It might be unbelievable that we can stumble even when the Lord holds our hand! But the same verse also says he will not let you fall. Surely there is God ’ s protection over us. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deu 31:6). He will not let your foot slip (Ps. 121:3). But as part of God's training we may often stumble. Once the disciples had to face a storm in the sea though it was Jesus who sent them to the other shore (Mtt. 14:22-33). He trains us like an eagle that stirs up its nest pushing the chicks out of their comfortable nest (Deu. 32:11). Let ’ s recognize God ’ s training methods for each of us and not murmur during those days. Allow God to train you well; you will, in turn, be able to train others well! Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize  how You train me and be submissive as You train me. Amen

B. A. Manakala The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Ps. 37:23 Does the Lord mind how I comb my hair? What breakfast I eat? Which school do I go to? What carrier do I choose? How do I honour my parents? Whom do I marry? Where should I live? What talents should I have? What ministry should I do? Yes, even the hairs on your head are numbered (Lk. 12:7). How amazing it is to know that the Lord delights in every detail of our lives! I might think, these are minute things and I can do it my own way. Do we do everything such a way that the Lord can delight in? Do we keep God away in some areas of our lives? God created everything including you and me for his own glory   (Col. 1:16-17). God delights in every detail of the godly (Ps. 37:23) Prayer: Lord, help me to experience you moment by moment and you delight in all areas of my life. Amen

B. A. Manakala The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. Ps. 37:21 Many years ago one of my best friends visited me and left late at night. Later I came to know that he walked back about 10 kilometers that night to reach home as he had no money! I was angry and scolded him when I came to know! Maybe all of us borrow and loan and return on time. But this verse says lending (others borrow from us) is a better habit for the godly. It's also important to lend only from one's income. In other words, it is not wise to borrow from one to lend to another. But I am yet to grow to the maturity of lending to those who cannot repay (Lk. 6:34). I'm still upset when those who borrow do not repay on time.   Godliness must help in a gradual shift from borrowing to lending! Prayer: Lord, help me practice lending than borrowing. Amen

B. A. Manakala But the wicked will die. The Lord ’ s enemies are like flowers in a field — they will disappear like smoke. Ps. 37:10 Two days ago we as family burned some dry leaves and rubbish in our yard. Suddenly it produced heavy smoke and all of us had to run away to escape the smoke. But in five minutes it was all gone! In history, many have opposed Christians and their God, and some have tried to wipe away Christianity from the face of the earth. Even today maybe there are a few who wish and try the same. Do we fear smoke? If not how could we fear our enemies? The Lord's enemies will disappear like smoke (Ps. 37:10). They can't survive long! Fire may cause smoke; but it will disappear soon! Prayer: Lord, please put me in the right perspective about Your enemies. Amen

B. A. Manakala Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked. Ps. 37:16 Probably all of humanity including me is trying to earn some money. Both the rich and the poor think they don't have sufficient; and they both keep earning more and more. "Better be richer" is the kind of slogan that might suit both of them. Here's a different slogan: "better the little" with the righteous. Better is the two coins from the poor widow (Lk. 21:2); better is the little with the fear of the Lord (Pro. 15:16); better is a blameless poor (Pro. 19:1). " And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus ." (Phil 4:19). Two sides of the verse: (First) you will definitely have needs, (then) God will meet them all. Never hope in wealth, but in God! Prayer: Lord, bless me with eternal riches and meet all my needs on earth. Amen

B. A. Manakala The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance. But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming. Ps. 37:12-13 Usually laughing is part of entertainment. And we all enjoy laughing. But what would you feel if you notice someone laughing at you when you are in trouble? Definitely quite disturbing!  If someone makes wicked plans against the godly God laughs! For he knows the judgement that awaits those who make such plans. If we ignored God's advice and rejected his correction, He will laugh when we are in trouble (Pro. 1:25-28)! But all who listen to God will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm (Pro. 1:33). Read Ps 2:4 and 59:8 also.                          It might be a pleasure if men laugh at your words or actions.                                                         But be cautious if God laughs! Prayer: Lord, help me to listen to you carefully and warn myself when it is necessary. Amen