GATHERING
THE CALL | Lamentations 3:25 [ESV]
The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
CONFESSION | Lamentations 3:28–30 [ESV]
The phrase, Kyrie eleison, simply means “Lord have mercy” and has been used by the Church for centuries, including by Reformers like John Calvin as a congregational refrain during worship. We often use it to ask for the forgiveness of personal sin, but it is just as appropriate to call upon God’s saving mercy as we experience the sinful effects of others upon us. Here we will use it as such. You can speak it, or you can sing it:
~Kyrie eleison [sheet music]~
Let him sit alone in silence
when it is laid on him;
~Kyrie eleison~
let him put his mouth in the dust–
there may yet be hope;
~Kyrie eleison~
let him give his cheek to the one who strikes,
and let him be filled with insults.
~Kyrie eleison~
ASSURANCE | Lamentations 3:28–30 [ESV]
For the Lord will not
cast off forever,
but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
for he does not afflict from his heart
or grieve the children of men.
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 32
2nd Reading: Romans 4:7-8
(Psalm 32:3-4) “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.”
Do you keep silent? Whether you are extroverted or introverted, all of us in one way or another have been guilty of keeping silent when we should have spoken up. In this case, David has kept his sins silent, not confessing them to the Lord in a timely manner. This lack of confession caused his bones to waste way. Holding onto sin is like acid eating away inside of you.
How do we confess our sin? First, we must see the blessing in confession. This is how the psalm begins, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (v.1). If you don’t see the blessing in confession, then you will continue to hold onto your sin.
Second, we “acknowledge” the sin, fully uncovering the transgression (v.5). There will always be a temptation to hold onto part of your sin even as you confess it. God requires full repentance, which is turning from our sin and turning towards God, without looking back.
Third, do not wait. Verse 6 calls us to “offer prayer to [God] at a time when [he] may be found.” When may God be found? For the Christian we need not go to the temple to confess our sin, or to a priest, but the time is now. The Lord has set his Spirit in our hearts, and by the Spirit, through the mediation of Jesus, the Father hears our prayers. Do not wait.
Lastly, (v.11) “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” Do not dwell in your sin, but dwell in his righteousness, received by faith.
ABIDING
SING
- Psalm 123 | I Lift My Eyes [recording] [sheet music]
- Optional Meditation: Recording: Aramaic Our Father In Heaven from the Country of Georgia
WEDNESDAY-CONTEXTUALIZE | Psalm 123
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.
Lamentations 3:22–24
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”