CALL TO WORSHIP & OPENING PRAYER — Psalm 46:1-3, 7
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
QUIET PREPARATION — Psalm 46:10-11
Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Have you ever been out-of-sorts? It is a strange feeling.
I have felt out-of-sorts this week and I have tried really hard to get back in sorts. The thing that has helped me most, well two things. First, the quiet has helped. This has been a quiet week. And with the quiet, it has been the Psalms that have helped me most – Psalm 43 and Psalm 44 and Psalm 45 and Psalm 46 and Psalm 47 and Psalm 48. Oh, Psalm 48 was the best help. I read it this morning and then found myself, just a few minutes ago thinking about it again and some more.
Anyway, this was intended to be thoughts for Sunday. And it is some thoughts for Sunday, that is, to help us gear our thoughts for Sunday. We will come together. I like thinking that way instead of gather together. It is partly because we will eat and drink the Lord’s supper together. And when Paul talked about the Lord’s supper in 1 Corinthians 11, he mentioned several times, “when you come together.” After being apart for six days, we are coming together. There should be a lot of joy in that or I should say, there is meant to be a lot of joy in that. It reminds me of a command in the Old Testament that is worded two different ways: observe the Sabbath and remember the Sabbath. That is, when the Sabbath comes, observe it. And when the Sabbath is over and then you go through the rest of the week, remember it. I read a pastor put it this way: remembering the Sabbath was intended to cause Israel to look forward to the next Sabbath. The same is true for us and Sunday. Remembering Sunday is intended to cause us to look forward to the next Sunday. That is why I said, there is meant to be a lot of joy in coming together.
This Sunday we will come together for the Lord’s supper and to think thru, together, Luke 21:1-4. We are almost finished with Luke’s Gospel. Is it not kind of neat where we are in Luke at this time? Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday are almost here. It seems that in preparing us for those two incredible days, God has us in Luke 21 and soon Luke 22 which are the final few days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) before Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.
I think come May or so, we will be finished with Luke’s Gospel. And so, I was thinking about, praying about, where we will go next. I am thinking that maybe, just maybe, we should spend the summer in the Psalms. Just a thought (for now).
Well, today is Friday. If you are working today, the work day will soon be over. And tomorrow is Saturday. I really, really encourage you to spend a part of Saturday preparing for the Lord’s supper. I had suggested that you read Luke 22. Maybe read 1 Corinthians 11. And then do this: pray for one another. Since we are coming together, pray for one another in anticipation of eating and drinking together.
This morning was another one where a song popped into my mind without provocation or warning. Sometimes I wonder if it is the Holy Spirit’s way of reminding me about a message I need to hear. The song was one I have known and heard countless times over the years, and also performed many times when I was a member of a quartet. But it is one that I haven’t heard or sung in quite a while—How Great Thou Art. I decided I needed to listen to it and remembered a particular version that I love to hear. It is performed by a blessed group of men singing acapella—Home Free. I am including a link to their video. Their singing, along with the scenery shown in the video, really drives home the message of the song. It brought tears to my eyes. I hope it touches and blesses you as well.
Here’s our Bible Reading plan for February 21-27! It is our prayer that this time in God’s Word is helping you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. How is God revealing the truth about Jesus Christ to you through your reading?
If you haven’t yet, you can download and print the Reading Guide here. If you haven’t been reading along with us, it’s not too late! You can catch up or just jump in where we are.
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
QUIET PREPARATION — Romans 5:8
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Hearing From God’s Word
“Beware of the Scribes (Even Today)” – Luke 20:41-47
Psalm 40:1-3 is our fighter verse this week. I hope you enjoy thinking thru it. Spoiler alert: the ending is kind of exciting!
This Sunday we will be in Luke 20:41-47. After three difficult questions, Jesus then asks a question.
Mark on your calendar Friday evening, March 5. We will be streaming a virtual event by Voice of the Martyrs about the persecuted church beginning at 6:30. If you are able to be in attendance at the church, let me know by Sunday, February 28. If you would rather watch from home you will be able to do so with the link provided by Voice of the Martyrs. It will actually conclude at 10. But we have decided to view it at the church until 8:15. This will be a good evening together. The Bible tells us to remember those imprisoned because of the gospel (Hebrews 13:3).
And keep remembering that God is always doing more than we know!
Here’s our Bible Reading plan for February 14-20! It is our prayer that this time in God’s Word is helping you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. How is God revealing the truth about Jesus Christ to you through your reading?
If you haven’t yet, you can download and print the Reading Guide here. If you haven’t been reading along with us, it’s not too late! You can catch up or just jump in where we are.
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
QUIET PREPARATION — Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
I am often thankful for Pastor James’ short Tuesday messages about our weekly fighter verse because they key thoughts in my mind about other Scriptures. For me, connecting thoughts and looking into themes in the Bible is a very effective way to learn and grow. This week’s choice of Psalm 31:24 had that effect. As I considered that verse and read through the entire Psalm, verse 22 also caught my attention:
“In my alarm I said, ‘I am cut off from your sight!’ Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.”
These verses reminded me of one of my favorite chapters in all of Scripture, Isaiah 40. This grand chapter focuses on the greatness of God. It contains messianic prophecy (verses 3-5), and a familiar reminder about the permanence of God’s word (verses 6-8). Verse 9 and following remind us of His power in creation, dominion over the earth and its inhabitants, and worthiness as the One to be worshipped.
The verse that Psalm 31:22 brings to mind is Isaiah 40:27:
“Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’”?
I am sure that God has heard or known the feeling from men and women that they feel isolated from Him throughout history—from Job to David, from the Israelites in Isaiah’s time, to the present. Whether spoken in prayer as David (or many others) did or proclaimed openly in public word or action, I am sure He has heard it time and time again. When things are difficult or challenging, people often wonder where God went and why he isn’t immediately answering their need. As Pastor James noted, the correct explanation is that you have to wait for His answer.
About ten years ago a young couple that I know began to try in earnest to have a child. They prayed that God would provide one. Eventually the woman became pregnant. In about a month she miscarried. They were dejected but didn’t give up. About a year later, she was pregnant again. After a couple months she miscarried again. At this point they started to wonder if maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. Still they prayed. A number of months later she became pregnant again. This time she was found to have twins. She had a pregnancy with several difficulties but did not miscarry this time. Her twins, a boy and a girl, were born after 28 weeks. They were very small and frail and spent the first month of their life in a NICU. With the proper care and prayer they developed well, and eventually caught up in size and health to other children their age. The twins are now 7 years old and have been a constant source of both joy and wonderment to their parents (and often a source of hilarity). They are a perfect example of God providing an answer to prayer in His time.
Isaiah’s message in chapter 40 continues with the promises of God’s care and attention, and addresses the value of waiting as Psalm 31:24 does:
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).
Why wait? We have a very limited view of things. God sees and understands all. Even though we grow weary and exhausted, He does not. I don’t know about you, but sometimes my strength and judgment just isn’t the best. It might not carry me too far. As hard as it might seem at times, waiting on God is the best and only thing to do.
Eagles are known for being great, regal birds. They are strong and fly well. However, while eagles fly well, they are experts in soaring. It takes a great deal of effort for them to flap their wings to move their large, heavy bodies through the air. From a young age they learn to pick and ride air currents and wind, moving them more quickly and efficiently without wasting their own strength. When we mount up with wings like eagles we soar on the currents of God’s strength, rather than growing weary or weak by depending on ourselves.
When we gather together each Sunday it is good to read God’s Word together, to sing together, to think thru God’s Word together, but it has become so very good to be quiet together. Our quiet always means reading God’s Word and thinking out loud, for just a moment, about what we have just read, then meditating upon it and responding to God. This last Sunday our quiet preparation was from Psalm 27:13-14. What became so good for me to hear was the last few words: wait for the Lord!
Wait. It is helpful to see and study the value of waiting throughout God’s Word; from Noah all the way to the very end of Revelation. Our fighter verse for this week has something to do with the value of waiting.
As we keep moving forward through this year, and waiting, two things will continue to be really important for us: our quiet together and praying together at 9:30. I hope in listening to the fighter verse this week you will see why I am valuing our praying together each Sunday morning at 9:30, and why I am encouraging you to be a part of this time together.
This Sunday we will be in Luke 20:27-40. This is the final attempt for a certain group to catch Jesus in something he said. So far, my favorite part of this passage is verse 40.
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