Introduction
A few observations, by way of introduction, are essential. First, it is a song sung by the pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem. Second, and of importance, it is written by Solomon. The first item may be related to the house of the LORD, the Temple. The second item may carry a double meaning. First, it may mean the very house Solomon built as his palace (see 1 Kings 7).
Read MoreO Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
2 lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,
rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.
O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O Lord—how long?
Lord's Day, November 17
Read Phil. 2:14. What is the context of this exhortation when you consider the entire book and the theme of joy?
As Christians living in this day and age, we should be very thankful for the ubiquitous nature of God’s Word. We have it in the mediums of audio and print. God has been very gracious to the church to ensure that we have the very Word of God in our language. In his wisdom, God ensured we would have the Bible for the church's edification. As the Westminster Confession of Faith, 1..1 states:
Read MoreWeek Ending November 9, 2024
Parents, and especially fathers, are called to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Deut. 6:7; Eph. 6:4). One aspect of this calling is to faithfully lead your family in family worship. There are many ways to do that. Below are some suggested family readings and topics of conversation.
Read MoreOver the summer, We started a brief time of prayer before the morning worship service. It is a time for the church to gather and pray specifically for the worship service. The following are some suggestions about praying for worship that others may use and be blessed by. It is not an exhaustive list by any means.
Read More"The letter to the Philippians is one of the most joyous books in the Bible. All the way through the letter Paul speaks of inner joy, of inner happiness -- sixteen times in four brief chapters. And he does it in such an artless way we know that one who advised the Philippians to 'rejoice in the Lord always' had himself found the true source of joy. He had not only learned in whatever state he was to be content; he had learned to rejoice in whatever state he was. He overflowed with rejoicing." (James Montgomery Boice, Philippians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Books, 2000), 12. Emphasis added)
Read MoreParents, especially fathers, are called to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Deut. 6:7; Eph. 6:4). One aspect of this calling is to lead your family in family worship faithfully. There are many ways to do that. Below are some suggested family readings and topics of conversation.
Read MoreThe prince of preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, wrote: "Groanings which cannot be uttered are often prayers which cannot be refused." It makes one consider if he was thinking about Psalm 5 when he penned those brief words. Though brief, they say much because there are times in the life of a Christian when the words do not come as accurately as the heart seeks to convey.
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