27
May '20
A Stormy Weather Prayer
27
May '20
Psalm 55:5-6, “Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.”
This psalm was written during stormy weather, not a thunderstorm or a hailstorm, but a people storm. Those are often the worst kind. The Lord’s servants sometimes get weary, not necessarily weary of the work, just weary in the work. David’s heart was broken. His spirit beaten down and his energy level was not what it used to be. He wanted to escape, but no matter where we run, we are still there. When an overwhelming storm hits, don’t run to the hills. Instead, fall on your knees. Trust God. He is faithful to hear, save, and deliver you (Psalm 55:16-18).
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26
May '20
The True Mother of Victories
26
May '20
Psalm 21:7, “For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.”
This is a psalm of confident thanksgiving. By it, we are taught to thank God for past and present victories. We are also taught to anticipate future successes. Our confidence for all this is grounded in the steadfast love of the most High God. Spurgeon said it best, “The joy of faith and the victory achieved was due to precious grace. A holy confidence in Jehovah is the true mother of victories.”
Trust God no matter what and be assured that whatever changes or reversals you experience in the moment, your ultimate wellbeing is secure, because every hope rooted in and leaning on the gracious promises of our Lord Jesus will be fulfilled.
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24
May '20
Look Higher
24
May '20
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” – Psalm 121
Psalm 121 does not promise believers the absence of troubles, but rather assumes them. From the first verse it acknowledges our need of help: “Where does my help come from?” Life is difficult and dangerous. This doesn’t mean we take unnecessary risks or act carelessly. This does mean that life is not safe and cannot be made safe. Believers cannot bypass the troubles endemic to a fallen world.
Trusting Psalm 121 does not mean that you should shun earthly helps. Go to the doctor when you’re sick. Plan wisely for retirement and work your plan. Pray for your civil leaders and be a good citizen. Be helpful to others. Just do not forget, all of these are created means of help. They are finite and therefore limited. But God is the Creator. He is infinite and His power is unlimited. So, when you’re looking up to the hills for your help, LOOK HIGHER!
Psalm 121 is our text this morning. We look forward to gathering together at 11am. The service will also be live-streamed.
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22
May '20
There is Joy in the Morning
22
May '20
Psalm 30:5, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
To know and trust Jesus is to know real and lasting joy. This does not exempt the believer from sin, or sin’s consequences. God is perfectly just and completely loving. He is never one or the other. He never leans more in one direction than the other. God disciplines His children, just as any good father should. That discipline is justly balanced, perfectly administered, and as soon as confession is made, our fellowship with the Father is fully restored. For those who trust God, mourning – for whatever reason – only lasts until morning. Have you trusted Jesus? Are you trusting Him?
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01
May '20
Where Are You Looking?
01
May '20
Psalm 141:8, “But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.”
Frightened children look for their parents, because they trust mommy and daddy to shield them from danger. When it comes to the circumstances of this life look to God the Father, not to the raging waves and winds of today. Look to God the Father above all others because He is worthy of your trust. He will not fail you. Quoting Spurgeon yet again: “To be destitute in circumstances is bad, but to be destitute in soul is far worse; to be left of friends is a calamity, but to be left of God would be destruction. The comfort is that God hath said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”
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30
Apr '20
Walk with the Lord and Never Walk Alone
30
Apr '20
Psalm 48:14, “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.”
God may be trusted because God always keeps His promises. God has promised to never leave or forsake His people (Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5). Those who walk with the Lord never walk alone. Trust Christ and He will be your guide not only in the pilgrimage through this world but into the world yet to come. Commenting on this verse C.H. Spurgeon wrote, “Farewell, fear. Come hither, gratitude and faith, and sing right joyously.” That kind of confidence is available to all who will trust the Lord to walk with them throughout this life and right into eternity. The Lord Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Whoever trusts Him, though he die, yet shall he live. Have you trusted Jesus?
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27
Apr '20
God’s Glory, Human Dignity
27
Apr '20
Psalm 8:4-5, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.”
This verse asks the fundamental question of our existence. Mankind’s answer has it all backwards, because we more often than not think big thoughts about ourselves and small thoughts about God. But God is mindful of us! He is not watching us from a distance, but is personally involved. We do not exist by our own power or as the result of cosmic chance. The equation “nothing + chance + time = us” IS FALSE. Everything that exists has been created by God, and mankind is God’s special creation. Man is created with dignity, being made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). Man is also marked by tragedy, being marred by sin (Genesis 3:1-7). But God has given man an opportunity to be reconciled to Him! There is only One way, and His name is Jesus. That One way is available to all men and women (1 John 4:9-10). Trust Him today!
Find the time to read all of Psalm 8. That will only take a minute. So, go ahead and spend five. Then you will declare with David, “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!”
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