Tag Archives: faith

Unknown's avatar

A Devotion on Psalm 8:2 – The Power of Childlike Praise in Spiritual Warfare

by

Fighting Like a Child?

“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” – Psalm 8:2 (NIV)

The Warrior We Expect vs. The Warrior God Chooses

If Hollywood were to write the ultimate battle scene, it would probably involve a muscular hero, a dramatic slow-motion walk, and an epic soundtrack. Think of Gladiator, Braveheart, or The Avengers—warriors clad in armor, wielding swords or superpowers, charging into battle with fierce determination.

Now, imagine that scene suddenly being interrupted by a toddler waddling onto the battlefield, clutching a stuffed animal, and humming a nursery rhyme.

Ridiculous, right? That’s not how battles are won!

But in Psalm 8:2, God tells us that the battle belongs not to the strongest, but to the smallest. Instead of warriors, He chooses the praise of children and infants to silence His enemies. The very image the world would laugh at is the one God calls His stronghold.

The Weapon of Praise: Winning Battles Differently

In spiritual warfare, praise is not a reaction—it’s a strategy. The enemy thrives in an atmosphere of fear and doubt, but praise shifts the battle in God’s favor.

When Israel faced an overwhelming army, King Jehoshaphat sent worshipers ahead of the soldiers, and their praise caused confusion in the enemy camp. When Paul and Silas were locked in prison, they sang hymns, and the chains broke off.

Praise changes the battlefield because it turns our focus from the problem to God’s power. It is not about singing perfectly—it’s about declaring truth. The enemy wins when we believe his lies, but he is silenced when we proclaim who God is.

A child singing “Jesus loves me” may seem small, but in the spiritual realm, it drowns out the voice of the enemy. Worship is an act of defiance that says, “No matter what I see, I trust what God has said.”

Childlike Faith as Our Stronghold

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3, NIV)

Why does God use children’s praise as a stronghold in spiritual warfare?

Children trust without doubting. They don’t overthink; they simply believe.

Children love without pride. They do not try to impress; they just express.

Children depend on their Father. They know they can’t win on their own, so they don’t try.

God calls us to fight battles differently—not with human strength, but with faith, dependence, and praise.

A Prayer for Today

Father,

Your ways are not like the world’s ways. While the world relies on strength, You call us to rely on You. Teach us to fight our battles with praise, to trust You with childlike faith, and to silence the enemy—not with force, but with worship.

Help us to remember that even the simplest words of faith can be powerful weapons. May our hearts be like those of children, quick to praise, quick to trust, and quick to run to You in every battle.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection for Today

What battle are you facing right now? Instead of worrying, how can you fight it with praise?

Unknown's avatar

A reflection on Sunday

by

Celebration of the Mundane is my project during Lent 2025. As with the tradition of Lent, even though Lent is a time of fasting and repentance, Sundays during Lent are feast days. In keeping with this tradition, I will not be posting devotions on Sundays. Instead, allow me to share some personal reflections.

When I decided to move forward with Celebration of the Mundane, I was apprehensive—not because I doubted that this message is one the Lord would like our churches to hear. We need to return to the mundane. This is especially needed in American churches, even more so in Chinese churches, and exponentially more in Chinese American churches. My doubt was not whether the message is timely; my doubt was whether I am the right person to teach it.

Those who know me would no doubt say, “Yeah, right, Kai?! What do you know about being mundane? You’re an MIT guy. All your life, you’ve been in the spotlight. Easy for you to say!”

I completely agree—it is simply hypocritical for me to talk about living a mundane life. I am as far from mundane as most Asian American high-tech professionals. I attended prestigious schools from a young age (St. Paul’s Co-Ed, MIT, Gordon-Conwell). I received the best of the best education. I work a comfortable job in a high-tech company. I have “SUCCESS” written in block letters on my forehead.

Therefore, I approach this project for my own benefit. Call me a hypocrite—and I will readily agree with you. Celebration of the Mundane is my reflection, my confession, my repentance. I need to learn these lessons as I attempt to teach them. If I am further from the mundane than most people, then I need these lessons more than most people.

May the Lord have mercy.

Unknown's avatar

Seeing God’s Miracles and Joy in the Ordinary — A Devotional on Psalm 104

by

“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.”
—Psalm 104:14-15 (NIV)

In many churches, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders are often invited to share how they integrate faith into their workplaces. Their stories inspire us, demonstrating how faith can shape decisions, leadership, and innovation. As professionals in the tech industry, we tend to admire those who stand on stage, those who are driving change, those with influence.

But Psalm 104 reminds us that while we look up to great leaders, we must also remember to look down and see those who serve us, those who sustain us, and those through whom God provides for our daily lives.

We enjoy delicious meals but rarely think about the chefs sweating in the kitchen.
We raise our glasses in celebration but overlook the hands that planted, harvested, and served the wine.
We immerse ourselves in innovation, coding, and future planning, but do we ever notice the workers who clean our offices, prepare our food, and keep our lives running smoothly?

In the eyes of the world, these tasks may seem insignificant. But in God’s eyes, every act that nourishes, brings joy, and sustains life is worthy of celebration.

The Joy and Abundance in Everyday Work

Psalm 104:14-15 does not just describe God’s provision of food—it reveals how human labor, in partnership with God’s creation, brings forth joy, beauty, and fulfillment:

🍷 Wine that gladdens the heart—not just a drink, but a symbol of community, joy, and shared celebration. Behind every glass of wine are farmers, winemakers, and workers who deliver it to our tables. This is not just a product of labor; it is a gift of joy from God.

🌿 Oil that makes faces shine—not merely a commodity but a source of nourishment, healing, and dignity. The process of growing, pressing, and refining oil reminds us that God’s provision extends beyond survival; He desires for us to flourish.

🍞 Bread that sustains the heart—more than a meal, it is daily strength that enables us to keep going. Behind every loaf is the sweat of farmers, bakers, and merchants. It is a testament to God’s daily provision.

None of these things are given to us automatically; they come through the hands of many. And each one is a miracle worth celebrating.

A High-Tech World, Yet God’s Grace in the Simple Things

In the tech industry, we are trained to look upward—to admire those who set the vision, build the future, and push the boundaries of innovation. But Psalm 104 reminds us: true wisdom is not only about creating the future but also about learning to give thanks and celebrate the present.

We might develop cutting-edge technologies, yet fail to say “thank you” to the barista who makes our coffee.
We might work on world-changing projects, yet ignore the delivery worker who brings us lunch in the rain.
We might solve complex problems with AI, yet fail to acknowledge the janitor who keeps our office clean.

Technology makes the world more efficient, but it is the unseen labor of others that allows our lives to function smoothly.

Psalm 104 tells us that God not only provides for our basic needs—He gives us wine for joy, oil for radiance, and bread for strength. This means that He doesn’t just want us to survive; He wants us to live abundantly, with gratitude and celebration.

Application: From Admiring Leaders to Appreciating the Ordinary

The next time your company invites an industry leader to give a talk, be inspired, but also ask yourself: Can I also recognize the people who make my daily life possible?

✅ Before eating, pause to consider who made the meal possible.
✅ At a coffee shop, smile and say “thank you” to the barista.
✅ In a restaurant, express genuine gratitude to the servers.
✅ In your office, acknowledge the cleaning staff with kindness.

The world may only celebrate innovation, but God teaches us to cherish the ordinary. The greatest blessings are often hidden in the smallest, most overlooked places.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy and abundance in everyday life. As I pursue achievement and innovation, help me to see the beauty in the simple gifts You provide. Give me a heart of gratitude so that I do not take for granted those who serve, provide, and sustain my life. May I live out the message of Psalm 104—not only working with excellence but also celebrating the blessings You have given in my daily life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Unknown's avatar

God’s Eye Is on the Sparrow

by

A Devotional on Psalm 104:12, Matthew 6:26, and Matthew 10:29

“The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.” —Psalm 104:12 (NIV)

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” —Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” —Matthew 10:29 (NIV)

There are moments when we feel utterly disposable—like our existence makes no real difference, like if we vanished, the world would move on without noticing. In a life that feels small, in a voice that feels unheard, the question haunts us: Do I matter? Yet, Scripture answers with a resounding yes. Nowhere is this clearer than in God’s care for the sparrow—small, ordinary, and seemingly insignificant, yet never outside His watchful eye.

The Smallest of Creatures, the Deepest of Care

Psalm 104 describes God’s vast creation, yet it includes this simple truth: birds find homes and sing in the trees because God provides for them. Jesus builds on this in Matthew 6:26, pointing to birds that do not plant fields or store food, yet they lack nothing. If God feeds them, how much more will He care for us?

In Matthew 10:29, Jesus highlights the sparrow, the cheapest bird in the marketplace. They were sold two for a penny, used as food for the poor. Yet not one falls without the Father’s care. If God watches over something so small, He surely watches over you.

A Substitute for the Poor

Small birds were not only a symbol of insignificance; they were also a provision for the poor. In Leviticus 12:6-8, those who could not afford a lamb were allowed to offer doves or pigeons instead. Even Mary and Joseph, at Jesus’ dedication, brought two doves (Luke 2:22-24), showing their humble status. God never makes worship exclusive—He always provides a way.

God’s Heart for the Unseen

No one is disposable. In a world that discards what it deems insignificant, God declares that every life has value. The sparrow, small and ordinary, might seem unimportant, yet it is never beyond His care. If He watches over the least, He will not abandon you.

If you feel unseen, know that He sees you.
If you worry about provision, trust that He will care for you.
If you think you have little to offer, remember that God delights in even the smallest gift.

God’s eye is on the sparrow, and His eye is on you.

Prayer:

Lord, when I feel small, remind me that You see me. Help me trust Your provision and rest in Your care. If Your eye is on the sparrow, I know You are watching over me. Amen.

🎵 Worship Hymn: “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”