THE CALL | Luke 18:16-17 [ESV]
But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, so often we exalt ourselves in our hearts. Our minds are occupied with things that are too great for us. We seek to comprehend your hidden counsels, when you call us to trust in faith. Forgive us of our pride. Give us child-like trust in you, by your Spirit that cries out in our hearts “Abba, Father!”. Quiet our souls with your steadfast love, as we rest in your wisdom and your power to save, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
ASSURANCE | Isaiah 49:15
[Thus says the Lord:]
“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.”
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 105
“Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!…O of spring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!”
As the ESV Study Bible notes tell us, Psalm 105 is a “historical psalm,” and the only psalm to “recall explicitly the promises to the patriarchs.” The psalmist sings of both the promises and the mighty works of God in the lives of Abraham (vv. 9a, 11, 12-15), Isaac (v. 9b, 11), Jacob (vv. 10-11), Joseph (vv. 16-23), Moses and Aaron (vv. 24-38), Israel in the wilderness (vv. 39-41), and Israel in the Promised Land (vv. 42-45). The psalmist is teaching God’s people, through song, that “He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations…” (vv. 7-8).
Remembering our history is a good thing; applying it to our daily lives is even better. It’s one thing to know that our Triune God did all these things; it’s another to be moved to praise as a result. And that’s the psalmist’s goal here: to drive God’s people to praise Him. The “offspring of Abraham” (v. 6, that’s us folks!) are to “remember his wonderous works…his miracles…[his] judgments” (v. 5). And in their remembering, they’re to “give thanks…call upon his name…make known his deeds among the peoples” (v. 1). From this verse we see that God’s mighty works are the grounds for not only gratitude among God’s people, but for their worship, and for missions!
Is your heart seeking the LORD, His strength, and His presence (vv. 3-4)? Then rejoice dear Christian (v. 3)! He has done great things for you, as He has done great things for the generations of God’s people that have come before you, even back to Abraham. Sing praises to Him this day (v. 2); tell someone else about Him (v. 2); glory in His holy Name! (v. 3)
(John McCombs)
ABIDING
SING
- Psalm 131 | [recording] [music sheet]
MONDAY-LECTIO DIVINA | Psalm 131
We memorize things we value. The brain has an incredible ability to remove information that we don’t need. As we make an effort to memorize the Psalms, the beginning of each week seeks to establish the value of God’s Word in our hearts before we view it as information to be remembered. Read more about the Lectio Divina HERE.
- Receive God’s Word from Psalm 131 as a gift as you read or listen.
- Re-read and meditate on the meaning of the Psalm. If you are in a group, briefly share an idea that applies to your life.
- Re-read and pick an attribute of the Psalm and pray from it in your own words.
- Re-read and silently contemplate how God has spoken to you through his Word.
SENDING
Heidelberg Catechism, Question 1:
Q: What is your only comfort in life and death?
A: That I am not my own,
but belong with body and soul,
both in life and in death,
to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins
with his precious blood,
and has set me free
from all the power of the devil.
He also preserves me in such a way
that without the will of my heavenly Father
not a hair can fall from my head;
indeed, all things must work together
for my salvation.
Therefore, by his Holy Spirit
he also assures me
of eternal life
and makes me heartily willing and ready
from now on to live for him.
1 John 3:2-3 [ESV]
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.