What do we do when God seems distant and does not seem to be answering our prayers? David writes about his experience in these three Psalms.
Psalms 4: Answer Me When I Call To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
2 O men, how long shall my honour be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!"
7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalms 5: Lead Me in Your Righteousness To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.
8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favour as with a shield.
Psalms 6: O LORD, Deliver My Life To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD---how long?
4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?
6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.
8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.
Things to think about…
1. Psalm 4 declares through David an OT truth that the Lord is the “God of my righteousness”, vs 1. David writes the same charge that we make today as Christians "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!" Psalm 4:6. Vs 4 is echoed in the NT by Paul “Be angry and do not sin”, Eph 4:26. In the midst of struggles this is often a hard thing to understand. Yet we know in end he puts “more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound” Ps 4:7. This should be true for every believer filled with the Holy Spirit that our Lord’s presence is better than any earthly pleasure. We are not at the end of the story. Perhaps at the beginning or middle. The promise is “I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” Ps 4:8. May this be the case on all those who are awaiting the Lord’s peace and presence at this time.
2. Psalm 5 is really a cry that the Lord will reveal His true character to both the believer and unbeliever. David is writing this as a young man before his sin with Bethsheba. He writes “You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man., vs 6. David not only lied about his adultery, but was bloodthirsty in battle even to the point of having Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband murdered to cover up his sin. Praise God for forgiveness and grace. He says in vs 8 “Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness.”. This the only hope we have. For the believer He is “our refuge and shield “ Ps 5:11, 12. But for the unbeliever David says “Make them bear their guilt” Ps 5:10. Rom 3:10-12 is an echo of Ps 5:9. They will fall by their own counsel and transgression vs 10. Psalm 5 like Psalm 1 compares the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked. 2 paths and 2 destinies. This is not the end of the story and by faith we know the promises of God are sure and true.
3. Psalm 6 is a cry to God – “My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD---how long?” – Ps 6:3. I know a number of us are asking this question right now. The tears keep coming, vs 6. But we wait for the promise in verse 9 “The Lord has heard my plea, the Lord accepts my prayer”. The enemies of Christ shall be ashamed and troubled, vs 10. The wonderful promise for the Christian is that our offering to the Father has been accepted because He has accepted the offering of His Son, He needs no other. May we see His deliverance from all our enemies, as well as our fears and doubts both near and far!
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. All Life Groups - Wednesdays.
3. Kids@Church starts up this week.
4. Mother’s Day High tea celebration – Saturday morning, May 9th at Church.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for April...
Q. 7. What is meant by the Atonement? A. Christ satisfying divine justice, by his sufferings and death, in the place of sinners.
