GATHERING
(If you are gathered in a group, you could begin with the following call and response.) The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to the Lord! Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give Him thanks and praise! THE CALL | Matthew 16:24-26 [ESV] Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” CONFESSION Lord, we think on the unjust wounds you suffered at the hands of evil men. Like plowers making long their furrows (Psalm 129:3), they afflicted you with scars. That you, the Son of God, suffered such wounds is awful enough, but what is worse is they were brought about by our willful wrongs. Forgive us, Lord, of our sins that required such a payment. And yet you took this payment on willingly – what a humbling thought. You suffered this affliction from your foes that you might triumph over them (Psalm 129:2), not for your own sake, but for the sake of your people. We praise you that our adversary, and even death, will soon wither like the grass on the housetop (Psalm 129:6), and that, in you, they will not prevail over us. ASSURANCE | Isaiah 53:2-3,5 [ESV] For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Word Day 55: Psalm 87 “Indeed, of Zion it will be said, ‘This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High will establish her.’ The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: ‘This one was born in Zion.’” At this very moment, there are hundreds of thousands of people fleeing Ukraine—and Russia—in hopes of crossing a border and entering a safer and more secure country. Imagine being one of those people. You left in a panic with just your proverbial shirt on your back. You arrive at your new country and the immigration officer asks you for your passport. In your haste to leave, you left your passport behind. Your heart sinks. But then you hear the officer say, “Don’t worry. We’ll treat you like you were born here. Welcome!” Psalm 87 is a Zion psalm, and this psalm sets before us the place that every human ought most deeply to want to belong to. Zion is God’s glorious, impregnable city that is fulfilled in the church of Jesus Christ, and ultimately in the New Jerusalem. The central theme of this psalm is that outsiders will be given citizenship, better yet, an honorary birth certificate, to gain entry and enjoy all the privileges that a natural born citizen would have. These new birth certificates will be written personally by the covenanting God even for the most unsuspecting people: people from enemy nations, such as Egypt (nicknamed ‘Rahab’, the sea monster) and Babylon. And, from the safety of their new country, these new citizens will shout ‘All my fountains are in you!’ What a beautiful picture of the universal church that Christ himself is gathering, even now! Remember that we gather together to worship, we are united with our fellow citizens all around the world (Heb. 12:22). And one daywe will meet with our fellow citizens in the New Heavens with new birth certificates in hand, and what a day that will be! (Seulgi Byun) ABIDING SING
MONDAY Praying Psalm 129:1-2 This week, we will use Psalm 129 as a prayer template that we move through progressively each day. “‘Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth’ let Israel now say. ‘Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.’” (Psalm 129:1-2) How do you see the Church afflicted and persecuted? Let this verse lead you into a time of lament for the persecuted church. Pray that God would cause his Church to prevail. SENDING APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in the God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the resurrection of the dead; and the life everlasting. Amen. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 [ESV] So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. ![]() GATHERING (If you are gathered in a group, you could begin with the following call and response.) The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to the Lord! Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give Him thanks and praise! THE CALL | Matthew 16:24-26 [ESV] Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” CONFESSION Lord, we think on the unjust wounds you suffered at the hands of evil men. Like plowers making long their furrows (Psalm 129:3), they afflicted you with scars. That you, the Son of God, suffered such wounds is awful enough, but what is worse is they were brought about by our willful wrongs. Forgive us, Lord, of our sins that required such a payment. And yet you took this payment on willingly – what a humbling thought. You suffered this affliction from your foes that you might triumph over them (Psalm 129:2), not for your own sake, but for the sake of your people. We praise you that our adversary, and even death, will soon wither like the grass on the housetop (Psalm 129:6), and that, in you, they will not prevail over us. ASSURANCE | Isaiah 53:2-3,5 [ESV] For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. WORD — INSERT LINK TO PSALM READING — — INSERT MATT'S REFLECTION -- ABIDING SING
SUNDAY MONDAY Praying Psalm 129:1-2 This week, we will use Psalm 129 as a prayer template that we move through progressively each day. “‘Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth’ let Israel now say. ‘Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.’” (Psalm 129:1-2) How do you see the Church afflicted and persecuted? Let this verse lead you into a time of lament for the persecuted church. Pray that God would cause his Church to prevail. TUESDAY Praying Psalm 129:3 This week, we will use Psalm 129 as a prayer template that we move through progressively each day. “The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” (Psalm 129:3). Let this verse lead you into a time of recognizing your afflictions before the Lord and lifting them up to him for consolation. WEDNESDAY Praying Psalm 129:4 This week, we will use Psalm 129 as a prayer template that we move through progressively each day. “The Lord is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.”(Psalm 129:4) Give thanks to the Lord for his righteousness. Pray that evil would not prevail, and that his righteous judgments would be established on the earth. THURSDAY Praying Psalm 129:5 This week, we will use Psalm 129 as a prayer template that we move through progressively each day. “May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward.” (Psalm 129:5) Pray that all those who seek to oppose the Church (whether rulers or governments or even those close to us) would be turned backward, and that they would repent and turn to the Lord. FRIDAY Praying Psalm 129:6-8 This week, we will use Psalm 129 as a prayer template that we move through progressively each day. “Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up, with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms, nor do those who pass by say, ‘The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord!’” (Psalm 129:6-8) Give thanks to the Lord that he has defeated our adversary and even death and that they will one day finally wither away. Pray that the way of wickedness would quickly wither and fade. SATURDAY (see Saturday liturgy) SENDING APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in the God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the resurrection of the dead; and the life everlasting. Amen. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 [ESV] So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. ![]() GATHERING THE CALL | John 15:4-5 [ESV] “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” CONFESSION Lord Jesus, you have called us to abide in you, but we confess that we are prone to wander astray. We could be fruitful branches, but instead we walk proudly in our own ways and wither. Forgive us for our wandering hearts and take and seal them for your courts above. Thank you that you are the true blessed man who walked in the way of righteousness (Psalm 128:1), even the way that led to the Cross. May we the Church, your beloved Bride, not wither, but be like fruitful branches of your vine, and may her spiritual children be many, like olive shoots around the table you have prepared for us (Psalm 128:3). ASSURANCE | Isaiah 53:10-11 [ESV] Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. SING: Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost As it was in the beginning Is now and ever shall be world without end Amen Amen WORD Read: Psalm 85 2nd Reading: Psalm 86 (Ps 85:8-9) Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Psalm 85 offers us the opportunity to think about some of similar themes as Psalm 84. The psalm directs our desires toward renewal. First, renewal of ourselves (v.4-7), then renewal of the whole land (v.10-12.) In between, verses 8-9 include both ideas and form a transition. As we read this psalm we are invited to enter into this prayer for renewal. Personal renewal, and renewal for our land. As we read the words and seek the Lord, this prayer can become ours increasingly. Part of our spiritual growth is not just to do the right things, or think the right things, but to desire the right things. If we consider the things that Jesus said in the sermon on the mount, "Blessed our those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Not only reading, but prayerfully entering into the prayers of the psalm can be part of this transformative process. Oh Lord, that you would help us to love what is good and hate what is evil. Make us people who hunger for the coming of your kingdom! ABIDING SING
SENDING LORD'S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen. Revelation 7:9-10 [ESV] After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ![]() GATHERING THE CALL | John 15:4-5 [ESV] “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” CONFESSION Lord Jesus, you have called us to abide in you, but we confess that we are prone to wander astray. We could be fruitful branches, but instead we walk proudly in our own ways and wither. Forgive us for our wandering hearts and take and seal them for your courts above. Thank you that you are the true blessed man who walked in the way of righteousness (Psalm 128:1), even the way that led to the Cross. May we the Church, your beloved Bride, not wither, but be like fruitful branches of your vine, and may her spiritual children be many, like olive shoots around the table you have prepared for us (Psalm 128:3). ASSURANCE | Isaiah 53:10-11 [ESV] Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. SING: Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost As it was in the beginning Is now and ever shall be world without end Amen Amen WORD Read: Psalm 84 2nd Reading: Psalm 83 (Psalm 84:1) How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. In a classic 1980's movie, The Karate Kid, a young man named Daniel LaRusso learned karate to defend himself from school bullies. But the first karate lessons were presented by his teacher (Mr. Miyagi) in a surprising way. The lessons were three days of home repair work - "wax the car", "paint the fence", and "sand the deck." To his surprise, the hours of routine activity shaped his muscles to perform basic karate skills. Soon, Daniel could use "paint the fence" skills to block a kick. I doubt someone could actually learn karate that way, but I think there is a lesson in this about how we change. The repetition of patterns can begin to shape us more deeply than we realize. Reading the psalms can be a sort of spiritual training exercise. As we read the psalms, we find ourselves saying things that we don't feel as much as we would like. In Psalm 84, we are directed to say, "How lovely is your dwelling place!" And, "a day in your courts are better than a thousand elsewhere." And "my heart and flesh cry out for you, the living God." Sometimes, we feel those things deeply about our relationship with God. Sometimes, we do not. Unlike the Karate Kid, mere repetition will not change us. But the gap between what we say in the psalm and what we feel in our hearts becomes the place where we can connect to God. It is a place for confession and for humble prayers for help. "Lord, change my heart... forgive my coldness and selfishness.... help, me to love you as I ought." In the history of the church, this sort of engagement has shaped many Christians for greater love and faithfulness. ABIDING SING
FRIDAY-MEMORIZE | Psalm 128 - Spend time memorizing the words of the Psalm as best you can - SENDING LORD'S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen. Revelation 7:9-10 [ESV] After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ![]() GATHERING THE CALL | John 15:4-5 [ESV] “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” CONFESSION Lord Jesus, you have called us to abide in you, but we confess that we are prone to wander astray. We could be fruitful branches, but instead we walk proudly in our own ways and wither. Forgive us for our wandering hearts and take and seal them for your courts above. Thank you that you are the true blessed man who walked in the way of righteousness (Psalm 128:1), even the way that led to the Cross. May we the Church, your beloved Bride, not wither, but be like fruitful branches of your vine, and may her spiritual children be many, like olive shoots around the table you have prepared for us (Psalm 128:3). ASSURANCE | Isaiah 53:10-11 [ESV] Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. SING: Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost As it was in the beginning Is now and ever shall be world without end Amen Amen WORD Read: Psalm 82 2nd Reading: Psalm 81 (Psalm 82:8) "Arise, O God, judge the earth;" Psalm 82 the basis for a song that we sing often in church. The song takes a posture that is typical of the Bible, but often quite foreign to our modern ears. We ask God, "How long until your justice reigns?" I am writing this devotional after a week of war in Ukraine. It is hard breaking to watch cities shelled as people flee for refuge. After initial indifference, the world community was inspired by the Ukranian courage and respond with public outcry and economic sanctions. But I suspect that the heavy shelling of the last two days is a sign that Putin will not be easily dissuaded. Unlike many situations that we are familiar with, a public outcry will not sway the appetite of a brutal dictator who can control the local news and jail dissidents. I imagine that as this reality begins to sink in, many of us will feel a renewed sense of powerlessness. Psalm 82 reminds us that God has entrusted certain individuals with outsized power. They are given the responsibility of judging others, and it seems that the psalmist describes them as (lower case) "gods (v.6)." They are "gods" that will die (v.7), but they have the ability to really affect other people. This is a reality of our world. Like it or not, everyone does not have the same influence. Sometimes, a singular dictator with cruel intentions can wreak havoc on millions. And it is very hard to stop them. This psalm (like many others) directs our attention back God's judgment. He is the judge above all, and one day he will bring perfect justice. We should strive to pursue justice on earth, as much as it is in our power (v.3-4.) But there are limits to that justice, here and now. We look with hope to the return of Christ and the final judgment. Evildoers will get what they deserve. Those who cling to God for help with be finally vindicated. This attitude allows us to walk through the pain of this evil world without being consumed by it. God will have the last word. Arise, O God and judge the earth! ABIDING SING
THURSDAY-MEMORIZE | Psalm 128 - Spend time memorizing the words of the Psalm as best you can - SENDING LORD'S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen. Revelation 7:9-10 [ESV] After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ![]() GATHERING THE CALL | John 15:4-5 [ESV] “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” CONFESSION Lord Jesus, you have called us to abide in you, but we confess that we are prone to wander astray. We could be fruitful branches, but instead we walk proudly in our own ways and wither. Forgive us for our wandering hearts and take and seal them for your courts above. Thank you that you are the true blessed man who walked in the way of righteousness (Psalm 128:1), even the way that led to the Cross. May we the Church, your beloved Bride, not wither, but be like fruitful branches of your vine, and may her spiritual children be many, like olive shoots around the table you have prepared for us (Psalm 128:3). ASSURANCE | Isaiah 53:10-11 [ESV] Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. SING: Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost As it was in the beginning Is now and ever shall be world without end Amen Amen WORD Read: Psalm 80 2nd Reading: Psalm 79 (Ps 89:3,7,19) "Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!" Psalms 79 and 80 are both prayers that relate to the period of exile. We see references to the holy temple being defiled and Jerusalem in ruins (v.79:1), then also walls being broken down (v.80:12.) Furthermore, both psalms refer to God being angry with his people, and that they had to endure the taunts of their neighbors. All of these factors fit naturally with the period of time in the history of Israel when God used Babylon to conquer Jerusalem and bring judgment on his people. Psalm 79 shows the particular awareness that their military defeat was the result of their faithlessness to God. It references their "former iniquities (v.8.)" Psalm 80 is appeal to God to bring restoration and turn aside his anger. It is a prayer for restoration to right relationship with God and all of the blessings that flow from that. Three times, the refrain of "Restore us, O God" is repeated. In each repetition the appeal to God's name is amplified. The first reference is to God. The second expands this to read, "God of hosts." This reminds us that God is the head of vast angel armies. It affirms that he has the power to direct the course of events on earth. Finally, the third appeal includes the covenant name for God, which our English Bibles translate as "LORD." Using this name highlights the covenant promises that God has made to Israel and asks him to reestablish his protection around his wayward people. I think that these psalms should encourage some self-examination in all of us. The Bible tells us in both the NT and the OT, that the LORD disciplines his people when they stray into sin (Prov 3:12, Ps 94:12, Deut 8:5, 1 Cor 11:32, Heb 12:2-11, Rev 3:19.) Now, of course, not all of our suffering is a result of sin - Jesus suffered for the sake of righteousness and promised that his followers would experience the same thing. But we are told that sometimes we experience negative consequences from God for the purpose of correction, cleansing, and recommitment. What do we do when we experience God's discipline? Do we turn away from God, or cry out to him for restoration? That is the essential question. Does the discipline of the LORD lead us to greater commitment to him, or does it drive us deeper into rebellion? Finally, Psalm 80 ends with an interesting turn. It places the future hope of God's people on the shoulders of a future individual that it labels as the "son of man." It is worth reading the verses because of how often Jesus referred to himself as the "son of man." (v.17-18) But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! I don't know if ancient Israel would have seen this as a reference to the Messiah, but I do know that Jesus was the one who is seated at the "right hand of God", and the one who gives "life" to his people, helping them to "not turn back", but instead "call on the name" of God. Holding onto Jesus in faith will make the difference between whether we experience God's discipline in a redemptive way or in a way that leads us to turn further away. (Matt Koerber) ABIDING SING
WEDNESDAY-CONTEXTUALIZE | Psalm 128 Consider ways that you can let the Psalm form your imagination, that you might share it with others. Perhaps you can journal about it, write poetry or prose, learn a song, create visual art, or reexpress it in ways that speak to your context. If you are planning to fellowship with other people this weekend, consider how you might share these imaginations with your community. SENDING LORD'S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen. Revelation 7:9-10 [ESV] After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ![]() GATHERING THE CALL | John 15:4-5 [ESV] “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” CONFESSION Lord Jesus, you have called us to abide in you, but we confess that we are prone to wander astray. We could be fruitful branches, but instead we walk proudly in our own ways and wither. Forgive us for our wandering hearts and take and seal them for your courts above. Thank you that you are the true blessed man who walked in the way of righteousness (Psalm 128:1), even the way that led to the Cross. May we the Church, your beloved Bride, not wither, but be like fruitful branches of your vine, and may her spiritual children be many, like olive shoots around the table you have prepared for us (Psalm 128:3). ASSURANCE | Isaiah 53:10-11 [ESV] Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. SING: Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost As it was in the beginning Is now and ever shall be world without end Amen Amen WORD Read: Psalm Psalm 78:1-42 2nd Reading: Psalm 78:21-43-72 We sing a song at City Reformed that is based on Psalm 78. It is entitled, "Hold Our Children." The lyrics are as follows: Verse 1 We regret the things we've lost And name the failures from our past We confess the common sin Of our fathers and our mothers We won’t hide them from our children Chorus Our hope, it is not in our own strength Made or lost in the darkness of the past Oh our hope, it is in your saving pow'r In ev'ry age your love will last And you will hold our children fast Verse 2 We refuse to follow God Or trust his power to provide We complain and test his grace But he shows us loving kindness We won’t hide it from our children The beauty of this song is that it emphasizes the central theme of Psalm 78. We are called to share our faith with the next generation. This involves sharing the "wondrous deeds of the Lord (v.4)", but it also means that we would help them to avoid our mistakes. Verses 5-8 tell the fathers to teach their children "so that should not forget God... [and] should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation." Then, the rest of the psalm recounts the failures of Israel in the past. They are grouped around two main events. The first is rebellion in the wilderness, shortly after God brought deliverance (v.19-40.) In summary, "they tested God again and again (vs.41.) The second set of failures seem to relate to the time of judges. "The moved [God] to jealousy with their idols (v.58.)" The refence to the tent at Shiloh and it deliverance into captivity (v.60-21) would seem to be a reference to 1 Samuel 5 and the captivity of the ark of the covenant. The psalm does end with a more positive image and King David emerges to shepherd his people and guide them (v.70-72.) It is a remarkable feature of the Bible that the sins of God's people and even of some of the greatest leaders (think: Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Paul, etc.) are not hidden. In fact, the greatest part of the Bible concerns the failings of God's people (think: Numbers, Judges, the OT prophets, Rev 2-3, Galatians, Corinthians, etc.) There are heroes of faith (Hebrews 11), but even our heroes have significant failures. Our own stories are ones which are full of sin and deliverance. It is our natural tendency to magnify our accomplishments and minimize our failures. Now, we don't want to talk about our past sins and failings in ways that minimize the problems or glorify the sin. But there is an essential role in recounting our spiritual failures, especially to our children and those in our close Christian community. Furthermore, the sins of past generations of Christians do not define us, but they also are an essential part of healthy discipleship going forward. There is a healthy place for owning our sins and the sins of our spiritual fathers (v.8.) Because the church is saved by grace, we can be free to confess our sins and know that the legitimacy of our faith is not challenged. God has always worked with "jars of clay" and insists on use broken vessels for his purposes (2 Cor. 4:7.) In doing this, he shows that the "surpassing glory" belongs to him and not to us. ABIDING SING
TUESDAY READ | Psalm 128 Spend time understanding and memorizing the outline of the Psalm, taking special note of the flow or transition points. If you are in a group, discuss the main themes and emphasis together. SENDING LORD'S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen. Revelation 7:9-10 [ESV] After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” |
City Reformed Presbyterian ChurchThe 90 Days project is a collaborative effort of many church leaders. Matt Koerber and Daniel Snoke have taken lead roles, with others helping to write daily devotionals. Archives
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