The Psalms hit the heart on so many issues. This week we read the Psalms which are called the ‘Songs of Ascent’.
Psalms 120: Deliver Me, O LORD A Song of Ascents.
1 In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!
Psalms 121: My Help Comes from the LORD A Song of Ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalms 122: Let Us Go to the House of the LORD A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem---built as a city that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! "May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!"
8 For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, "Peace be within you!"
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.
Things to think about…
The Songs of Ascents were sung by pilgrims as they were travelling from all parts of Israel up to Jerusalem for the three major festivals – the most prominent, the Passover. You will notice that as we read from Psalm 120 to Psalm 134 that the mood of the Psalms change. These early Psalms from 120 speak of distress and division. The hope obviously ends with praise once Jerusalem is reached – possibly at a major feast like the Passover. We are ascending Mt Zion’s hill to our heavenly Jerusalem. May our joy increase as the years go by as we ascend towards heaven.
See the psalmist, possibly David, in Psalm 120. He acknowledges his sin and possibly the sin of his enemies. The lying lips vs 2, the deceitful tongue vss 23, 3. The broom tree gave the hottest hot. The warriors arrows with burning tips were aimed at him. He says “woe to me, I sojourn in Meshech and dwell among the tents of Kedar” vs 5. He is in the lowlands, he wants to be in Jerusalem, where there is rejoicing, peace and the presence of the Lord. We are on earth, in the lowlands. Often there is division with people here who ‘hate peace’. Here the psalmist, is dwelling among people who only long for war. But one day sin will be no more and there will be peace. In the meantime, the challenge is to promote peace and truth. Strive to promote the peace of Christ whenever we have the opportunity.
Look at the wonderful promises in Psalm 121! What stops us from believing them do you think? There is a promise, “he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep”, vs 4. The replacement theologians will say this is the church. That’s nonsense of course. Yes our Lord looks after the church. He will never leave nor forsake her. Indeed, He died for the church. But here as in many other places in the OT the Lord promises to keep and bless Israel. He will do that until all the promises to Israel are fulfilled, physically as a land and people and spiritually in Christ.
Why does the psalmist say, ‘the Lord is your shade on your right hand’, Psalm 121:5. The right side was the one of blessing and strength. Remember goats on the left, sheep to the right. We are with Christ, we are His sheep, He is our shade – our protector and defender – we are ‘the blessed’ on the right side.
Ps 122 - Consider what brings the psalmist joy – in this case David. He was glad when they said “Let us go to the house of the Lord”. We know that the temple was not built by David, but his son Solomon. So what house is David talking about in Psalm 122? The Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. Where the Lord’s presence is, that is where His house abides. Consider how Christ’s house is described in Revelation 21? This is our heavenly Jerusalem, pray for the ‘Peace of Jerusalem’, vs 6. Regardless of where you are now. You may be in the lowlands of despair or trial, but one day the heights of joy in Jerusalem will be your home. Keep your eyes there!
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 for the gospel and this week’s message - ‘Trump the world and the gospel.
2. Pray for Iran and pray for the demise of the IRGC of Iran.
May the Iranian people see the prophesy of Jer 49:34-39 fulfilled over the coming weeks and months.
Pray for the Sacred Minds podcast – starting to come online.
3. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
4. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
5. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
6. Pray the influence of Russia and China is minimised militarily.
7. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
8. Conflict zones- Israel, Iran and Ukraine
9. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, 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 God for the Lord’s blessing over our service on Sunday
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. Easter services – Easter Friday 3rd Apr – 9:00qm. Easter Sunday 5th Apr – 9:30am – Kids activities while the message is on.
2. Passion Play at Moogerah Dam – 28th March and Easter Weekend. Ladies and families welcome. Camping available.
3. Prayer meeting Wed 5:30pm at church. Life group begins at 6:30pm. Going through the book of Romans.
4. All Life Groups - Wednesdays.
5. Kids@Church especially our Easter program.
6. Mothers 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 March...
Q. 6. How could the Son of God suffer? A. Christ, the Son of God, became man that he might obey and suffer in our nature.
