GATHERING
THE CALL | 1 Corinthians 1:10 [ESV]
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
CONFESSION | City Reformed Confession # 171
Triune God, you are perfectly one, though three persons. As we draw near to you, we know that we have not always gathered united. Forgive us the sins of disunity, O Lord: pride, jealousy, and narrow-mindedness. Forgive us the sins of false unity: lack of imagination, apathy, and indifference. On the cross, you’ve paid the price for our sins, and in your resurrection, you have invited us into a life of hope and a life of love and renewal in God’s family. We hear your promises, Lord, we believe your Word. Help us in our unbelief. Amen
ASSURANCE | Hebrews 13:14–16 [ESV]
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
SING | Doxology [sheet music]
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen
WORD
Read Psalm 26
2nd Reading: Psalm 27
(Psalm 27: 1) “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Whom do you fear? What do you fear? Who or what we fear can tell us a lot about our hearts. There are legitimate reasons to fear things or people, such as a stranger trying to take our wallet or a terrorist on a plane. Fear can help us respond quickly and appropriately to the risk. Fear as an emotion in many situations is appropriate, however, there are many fears we have that are unfounded or misplaced.
David gives us a litmus test of sorts in the beginning of this psalm. In whatever situation I find myself, is the Lord greater than my fear? When this person or situation or place or events scares me, is the Lord the stronghold of my life? Perhaps most of our fears are moments where we are confronted with our lack of faith and trust that God will protect us. What is man compared to God?
The psalmist doubles down on this point in v.3 where he says that even if a whole army was against him, yet he will be confident and his heart will not fear. In this rest of the psalm, David is working out what this confidence and fearlessness looks like. David prays to God to be the source of his confidence. Verse 10 shows just how hard life has become; where parental protection is absent, God himself fulfills this role.
The believer can move through life with confidence not based on our own strength, power, or intelligence, but because God is on our side. God has become our Father when our parents abandon us. God is our refuge, our strength, and our salvation from our deepest fears (v.9). Lastly, Jesus is both the way and example of our confidence. While he dreaded the suffering, nevertheless, he walked with path to Golgotha. With thankfulness to Jesus, this is one road we will never have to walk.
ABIDING
SING
- Jesus With Thy Church Abide | [recording] [sheet music]
- Living Stones | [recording] [sheet music]
FRIDAY-MEMORIZE | Psalm 122
– Spend time memorizing the words of the Psalm as best you can –
SENDING
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
SPEAK PEACE
Psalm 122 says, “I will say, “Peace be within you!” Find someone from your church community and speak peace to them today. Intentionally tell them how you intend to seek their good as a member of God’s people.