These next 3 Psalms speak of Christ’s death, Psalm 22, then our death, Psalm 23, and finally our salvation in Him , Psalm 24.
Psalms 22: Why Have You Forsaken Me? To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
8 "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"
9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
10 On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.
12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet---
17 I can count all my bones--- they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog!
21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.
Psalms 23: The LORD Is My Shepherd A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalms 24: The King of Glory A Psalm of David.
1 The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah
Things to think about…
1. Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm and we see so much of Christ and His ministry in this Psalm, especially what He suffered on the cross. The first words of the Psalm, “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me” are of course echoed by Jesus on the cross as He cried out to the Father, Mt 27:46, Mk 15:34. He was forsaken by the Father on our behalf, for the payment of our sin. David felt the pain and loss of being left alone by the Lord. Have you ever felt like that? Know that as we follow our Saviour that He also knew what it was to be rejected by the Father. But we know our suffering is only for a season. Christ by being rejected by the Father was accepted as the perfect sacrifice, so we can now go boldly into the throne room of God. What are you asking for today? Ask with confidence, knowing you have His ear and heart.
2. Psalm 22 describes the scene around the cross that would occur over 900 years in the future from the time of writing. Christ was mocked on the cross, vs 7,8, They pierced his hands and feet, vs 16, cf, Mt 27:35, Jn 20:27. Note that crucifixion was unknown at this point in history when David was writing. They divided Christ’s clothes by lot, vs 18, cf Mt 27:35. It is a marvellous testimony and prophecy that confirms that the Lord will keep His promises for his people. Yeshua will fulfill every dot and dash of the OT words spoken about Himself.
3. There is an encouragement here for the Jewish people. Israel will praise this One on the cross. They will call Him king, “All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!” This will occur after a time of great trial for Israel, but it will happen. Pray for the peace and reconciliation of Israel with their Messiah Yeshua.
4. What a comfort Psalm 22:29,30 is for us. Our Lord shall receive worship from His people – not only from those who are prosperous, but even those “who could not keep himself alive”, vs 29. I believe this also covers those whose lives were taken in the womb. What a merciful God we serve, “they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.”, vs 31. Hallelujah! Mediate on this. If God has said something regarding Himself and His people, it will be done. Stand on this and be encouraged.
5. Psalm 23 is the well known prose that is read at many funerals. It is a short encouragement to those who are weary and who need or about to enter into the Lord’s eternal rest. Our Lord blesses with rest, green pastures and still waters as he restores our souls in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death. The shadow of course indicates that there is a light. Jesus is our light that leads us through the deepest valleys of trial, grief and loss. This Psalm was true for our Lord prior to the crucifixion. The table was prepared in the presence of Christ’s enemies – Judas Iscariot and Rome, Ps 23:5. But the cup of Christ overflowed to the disciples gathered and those beyond. The celebration began after the resurrection and during Pentecost with the establishment of the church. May this truth lead all those that are experiencing loss at this time. May the promises in Ps 23:6 be yours, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever”. Our Lord prepares a place for us to inherit, Jn 14:2-6 and we will dwell with Him for eternity.
6. Psalm 24 looks forward to Christ. Jesus confirmed He had defeated sin and death on the cross, but the promises for the OT saints regarding the Lord’s kingdom and His salvation were a real comfort. Psalm 24 the OT saint is promised to “receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation” vs 5. We have the Lord’s righteousness and as such are free to enter His presence.
7. Ps 24:7, 9 “O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors”. In Jerusalem there is an ancient gate called the Golden gate built in the 6th Century. It has been sealed up as Christ is prophesied to enter through it on his return as He did when He entered Jerusalem on the donkey before His crucifixion. David asks us to meditate on this truth in vs 10 “Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah”. Will know His name in Jesus (Yeshua). Amen.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Pray God’s word on Sunday bears fruit of obedience and blessing.
2. Pray for our Mother’s Day event
3. Pray for Iran and the overthrow of a wicked regime.
May the Iranian people see the prophesy of Jer 49:34-39 fulfilled over the coming weeks and months.
4. Pray for the Sacred Minds podcast.
5. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
6. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
7. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
8. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
9. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, Kids@church, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
10. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
11. Finances to cover our needs
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for the encouragement the Word of God brought people over the weekend.
2. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church
3. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy and those who supply it every week Eg Ros - Milk.
4. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Peter, Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
5. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, Anastacia and Fiona
6. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Mother’s Day tea – 10am this Saturday at Church.
2. Ministries back - Prayer meeting Wed 5:30pm at church. Life group begins at 6:30pm. Going through the book of Romans.
3. Members meeting 31st May
4. All Life Groups - Wednesdays.
5. Kids@Church starts up this week.
6. Mother’s Day High tea celebration – Saturday morning, May 9th at Church.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q 1. Who made you? A. God made me.
Bible references – Gen 1:26, Ps 139:13, 14.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
