Psalm 102-10.26.22
Scripture
Psalm 102: 1, 12:
1 Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you….12 But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.
Observation-What does it say?
“The title of this psalm is A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD. This afflicted one borrowed his tone and some of his phrasing from Job, who is the Old Testament’s greatest example of affliction. Many phrases also match others in the psalms. This psalm describes Jerusalem (Zion) in a state of ruin. If this is taken as literal ruin, the psalm may have been written by those in exile who mourned over both their personal and national affliction (David Guzik commentary on enduringword.com).”
I looked up the word lament and it means “to express deep regret, grief, or sorrow….Lamenting is a common theme in the Bible.” (gotquestions.org)
Understanding-What does it mean?
Even though the Psalmist laments, he doesn’t stay there the whole time.
In verses 1-11, the Psalmist laments, but in verse 12, changes his tone to worshipping God for Who He is.
Anakin Cerda did an amazing job with his sermon on Sunday and spoke about King David (the one who wrote most of the Psalms) and how he cries out (or laments) to God, but “slowly turns his tone into into praise and worship to God.” Anakin used Psalm 6 to illustrate this point. If you missed his sermon, please feel free to check it out on YouTube at this link:
Life Application
It’s okay to lament to God. Just don’t stay at the lamenting phase the whole time.
God wants us to be honest with Him. He wants to hear the good, bad and ugly. That’s the type of relationship He desires with us. He is not an insecure God who is unable to handle our human emotions. He already knows it all. However, in the midst of our complaining, pain, suffering, anger, confusion, affliction, weeping, lamenting, tiredness, etc., we must remember to always switch our tone back to praise and worship for Who He is, despite the circumstances and hardships around us.
Come join us tonight at 7p for Worship Wednesday. Let’s pray for each other’s afflictions and problems, but make sure not to keep our focus on that. Let’s focus on worshipping the One who is worthy ALL the time! It’s amazing what happens when we keep our eyes fixed on Him amidst it all.
Dear Lord, please forgive me for the times I’ve stayed in the lamenting phase too long and failed to switch to praising Your good and loving character. You are good all the time and as the Psalmist says, “But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Nehemiah 8-10.25.22
Scripture
Nehemiah 8:9
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
Observation
When we encounter God’s word, we should be changed.
Understanding
In Nehemiah chapter 8, the people were gathered to hear the Book of the Law read and explained. Verse 3 says, “He (Ezra) read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.” And then in verse 9, “For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.”
The people sacrificed time (daybreak till noon) to hear the word of God. They wanted to hear from God. They listened attentively. They wept over their sin. And the word of God changed their hearts.
Sorrow over our sin is a necessary part of God working on our hearts. But after the sorrow, comes joy. Verse 10 says, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
“Our knowledge of our sin should never be bigger than our knowledge of Jesus as our Savior. We are great sinners, but He is a greater Savior. Therefore, the joy of the Lord is your strength – even when you are being convicted of sin. When we are convicted of sin we know that God is doing a work in us, so we can be glad and take joy.” (Enduring Word Bible Commentary)
Life Application
Lord, thank you for challenging me to allow my heart to be changed through encounters with your word. Thank you for correcting me – that I should not read the Word so I can check something off my to-do list, skimming quickly through and moving on. I need to open the Bible each day and search for a word from You, asking you to speak to me and change my heart. I am a great sinner but You are a greater Savior! The joy of the Lord is my strength!
-Debbie Dunn
Revelation 3-10.24.22
Scripture
Revelation 3:15-16 NLT
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”
Observation-What does it say?
In this particular passage of Revelation, Jesus tells John to write a letter to the church in Laodicea. In this letter, Jesus tells them that he knows their condition. Jesus basically calls them out for being a church that is just going through the motions. They were “playing church” instead of being The Church.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Either we are all in for Jesus, or we’re not !
“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”-Matt 12:30
I love the picture that this passage paints for us regarding being The Church of Jesus. We are either “hot or cold”. You can’t just be “lukewarm”! When you think of water, when cold water comes to mind, you think of something refreshing. When you think of hot water, you think of something cleansing, or sanitizing. Each type of water has its uses for us. But when you think of lukewarm or room temperature water, you think of something stale, possibly bacteria filled, and basically suspect and worthless. That will make anyone not want to drink from it, let alone have any part of it.
Jesus says he prefers us to be either “hot or cold”. Meaning if we are “hot”, it means we are on fire and all about fulfilling Jesus’ mission of multiplying Christ Followers everywhere. And even if we are “cold”, with no faith, and no belief, at least there is room for growth, and room for God to change our hearts, transform our lives, and make us better. But, if we are a church that is “lukewarm”, it probably means we are a church that has just enough faith and knowledge of Jesus that we are non resistant, that we truly lack enough faith to be fully engaged. And that condition, believe it or not, is harder to change than to convert a fully, cold non-believer. That is why Jesus said, “I will spit you out of my mouth!” And that is a condition or place we never want to find ourselves in.
Life Application
Take a good look in the mirror, don’t try to fool ourselves, because Jesus knows our hearts.
Am I just going through the motions at church? Am I just playing church, or am I being The Church?
Father God, I pray that You give me the fire and desire to be all about fulfilling Your Mission. Forgive of the times when I just go through the motions of church. Help me Lord to be on fire for You. Help me to be a refreshing drink for someone out there today. May I remember to live my life with purpose…and that purpose is to bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi