GATHERING
THE CALL
Holy Trinity, who is undivided and infinitely one, let us celebrate our union with you and with your Church, that we might encourage one another to live as though we have eternal life, as we reflect your image through our unity.
CONFESSION
Eternal God, we confess that we do not live as though we believe in eternal life. You are infinitely united as one, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and are preparing a place in heaven for us to be completely united together as your people, but we often want your presence without the unity it brings. Give us the joy of connectedness and the excitement to pursue unity on earth. As we wait for heaven, pour out your blessings so that they cover all of our relationships.
MEDITATION | John 17:22-23 [ESV]
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
SING Psalm 133 | How Good It Is [recording] [lead sheet]
How good it is when we dwell within your will
When unity for all your people you restore
We live as though we have life forevermore
When we share in the peace you pour from Zion’s hill
When we share in the peace you pour from Zion’s hill
Oh, how good it is
Oh, how good it is
Oh, how good it is
When we dwell within you will
WORD
First Reading: Psalm 142
Second Reading: Psalm 143
David continues his laments in these next two psalms, and what is most noticeable is his raw honesty. He doesn’t hold back any of his feelings, nor does he try to put forth a façade of himself that is more composed than he actually he is. In his security with the Lord, David is able to “pour out [his] complaint before him” (142:2) no holds barred. We see more of this posture in Psalm 143 when he confesses feelings of being “crushed to the ground” (v. 3), his “spirit faint within” (v. 4), and his spirit failing (v. 7). There is much that we can glean from and emulate of his brutal vulnerability in our prayers with God.
But David’s agitated state does not cause him to stray from orthodoxy. There are many lines in Psalm 143 that would have us think we were reading the words of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Roman church centuries later. “Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you… For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble” (vv. 2, 11). While wrestling with God in his most difficult circumstances, David is able to place his salvation in perspective. Only God is righteous, and his righteousness will be made manifest in us by Him alone, in this life or the next. How do our sufferings cause us to gaze upon the righteousness offered to us in Jesus by his death and resurrection? How does our assurance of this truth bring us to commune with God with all of who we are- good and bad? How is the Holy Spirit convicting you to depend on the Lord in this way?
– Nameun Cho
ABIDING
Friday
MEMORIZE | Psalm 133
– Spend time memorizing the words of the Psalm as best you can –
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
SENDING
PRACTICE
- Think of one person from church today that you can intentionally encourage. Perhaps you can call them, send a quick note, or help them with a need today. Perhaps you simply need to pray for a forgiving heart towards a brother or sister.
PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
Jesus who redeems us,
Spirit who is with us,
may we live in your kingdom now,
unified by your love.
Give us the encouragement we need,
to celebrate with confidence the blessings of heaven,
even as we still suffer by the hands of others.
Save us from bitterness and strife,
remove the presence of evil,
for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever,
Amen.