Sometime we ask “How long oh Lord”. In such cases we have to wait, especially when it involves a world that says “There is no God”.
Psalms 13: How Long, O LORD? To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalms 14: The Fool Says, There Is No God To the choirmaster. Of David.
1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD?
5 There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.
6 You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge.
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
Psalms 15: Who Shall Dwell on Your Holy Hill? A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;
3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
Things to think about…
1. Psalm 13. Is a typical heart cry of anyone who has struggled with their lot. Especially when the lot is difficult. David asks “How long?” Often the answer is “As long as it takes to achieve the Lord’s purpose”. Note in Ps 13:2 David asks “How long must I take counsel in my soul?” Often this is the default setting. We take our own counsel and advice rather than what the Lord reveals to us in His word. Ps 119 speaks directly to this many times. A key verse being “Your word is a lamp to me feet and a light to my path”, Ps 119:105. Our Lord leads, we just need to listen. In the end David gets it, Ps 13:5,6 “I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” This is true for all of us who trust in Christ for their salvation.
2. Psalm 14 echoes a lot of what was said in yesterday’s reading in Psalm 10 regarding the one who says there is no God. Psalm 14:1, “The fool says in his heart ‘there is no God’ ”. He sure does. Who but the fool gambles with his soul by saying – ‘God, you’re not there’ as if speaking to thin air. Yet there they are. I once watched a video by Stephen Fry who blatantly showed his hatred towards the Lord. Understandable for a man who is committed to a homosexual, anti-God lifestyle. But why would you risk it? Eternity is a long time. In essence, what have you got to lose? Pride of course; and that is the issue with the fool. This Psalm is quoted by Paul in Romans 3:10-12. Paul says that this is the default setting for all who are under sin – that’s all of us. Praise God for His grace, as David states “God is with the generation of the righteous”, Ps 14:5.
3. Who are those who have the right to enjoy God’s presence? Psalm 15 tells us “He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart”, Ps 15:2. Note that the heart is the issue. The heart is the seat of conscience. It doesn’t matter what we say or do, even though they usually reflect what goes on in the heart. But as Jeremiah tells us “The heart is desperately wicked, who can know it” Jer 17:9. We can still flatter or deceive, or be outwardly pious, but our Lord sees the heart. Let’s be honest with ourselves and always share and show our true selves. If our true self is not right, we should then pray for grace. The promise is “He who does these things shall never be moved.”, Ps 15:5.
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 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 – first one online last week.
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, 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. Ministries back - Prayer meeting Wed 5:30pm at church. Life group begins at 6:30pm. Going through the book of Romans.
2. Members meeting 31st May
3. All Life Groups - Wednesdays.
4. Kids@Church starts up this week.
5. Mother’s Day High tea celebration – Saturday morning, May 9th at Church.
6. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
7. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q 1. 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
