Even as we climb to heaven, there are pain points along the way. These seasons allow for God’s grace to be applied in our lives, strengthening our walls of faith.
Psalms 129: They Have Afflicted Me from My Youth A Song of Ascents.
1 "Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth"--- let Israel now say---
2 "Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows."
4 The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.
5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!
6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,
7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms,
8 nor do those who pass by say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!"
Psalms 130: My Soul Waits for the Lord A Song of Ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!
2 O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Psalms 131: I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvellous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.
Things to think about…
Do you remember any times growing up when you were bullied or picked upon? I certainly do. Very painful times. I think of young people that suffer through the same in our day. Praise God we are more aware of it today and address it more appropriately – although online bullying is a new evil not easily seen or addressed. The psalmist says he was afflicted by his oppressors from his youth. I wonder if this is what Christ experienced growing up? Being perfect must have had some unpleasant consequences for Jesus as He grew up, His companions with a sinful nature would not have always appreciated. Christ also offered his back to these people, Ps 129:3 even before he was lifted onto the cross, deep furrows were embedded on His back. Who are our modern day spiritual bullies? The Psalm says the Lord will put them to shame vss 4-7. Praise God our Mighty Deliverer has defeated the three biggest bullies – sin, death and the devil.
Psalm 129:8 which says “nor do those who pass by say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!"” means that there are people who are enemies of Zion who will never ask for a blessing upon the Lord’s people or the nation of Israel. This is certainly most emphasied in in the modern free Palestine” movement. These are haters of the God of Israel. They hate any of the promises to Israel in the scriptures and in their heart of hearts they hate Jesus the Jew who is the Lord of Zion, though it takes a skilled debater to bring that truth out of them. They will never bless, only curse, because of their hate against Zion, vs 5.
What are you waiting for, Ps 130:1-6? What are you praying about and haven’t received the desired answer? Is it improved health? Is it for a husband or wife? Maybe you long to have children. For me aside from praying for the salvation of family members, my most intense prayers are for revival over our city. That people would long to hear the gospel and not be distracted by all the other noise that sadly is a part of our modern church movement. I believe the Lord answers prayers that bring Him glory. Will you receiving better health, or a husband, or a wife or children bring Him glory? Add this to your prayers. If in reality it is about a misplaced desire and is not directed towards the Lord’s glory at the core, then I am loathed to tell you, that you need to repent of your idol and refocus back on your first love and the gospel.
We often hear the helicopters and fighter planes of our defence force go over Ipswich. They sound impressive, even terrifying. They are our modern-day watchmen, Ps 130:6 looking after our city. Yet we are called to watch and wait for the Lord more than they watch out for our city and country. Our hope is in the Lord and not in any earthly strength. Can I encourage you to pray about what it means to watch for Him, that He may redeem those in our city (and Israel) from all iniquities?
We can so easily be puffed up with earthly knowledge and pride can’t we. Some of this knowledge is amazing, consider some of the scientific discoveries that have been uncovered or the advances that have been made in medical science or the advances in Artificial Intelligence. We would be overwhelmed to comprehend every last bit of knowledge that is available to us. But what is the most important thing? Our hope and trust in the Lord must be above every earthly hope or desire, Ps 131:3. The children in our churches have the simple trust the psalmist is talking about in Ps 131:2. It’s wise to be like them with our trust in the Lord, just as our Lord Jesus also declared, Mt 18:1-5.
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 our Easter services.
3. 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.
4. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
5. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
6. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
7. Pray the influence of Russia and China is minimised militarily.
8. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
9. Conflict zones- Israel, Iran and Ukraine
10. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
11. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
12. Finances to cover our needs
13. 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.
