PSALM 5

Psalm 5:7-8 (ESV)
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.

David once again comes to God in prayer with the contrast between the wicked and the righteous on his mind. Verse 8 seems to be the heart of this prayer, but the surrounding verses are important to understanding the heart behind this prayer of David.

David begins with a recognition of who God is. In verse 2 David acknowledges that this is “my King and my God.” He is the great sovereign and the true ruler of Israel and all of creation. David also focuses on God’s holiness in verse 4 “For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.” He continues that theme in the verses that follow. But the great draw to David is found in verse 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.” It is the abundant, steadfast love of God that draws him to the Lord’s house and worship. He also remembers God's sovereign protection calling him his “refuge,” “protection,” and “shield.”

With these in mind, David comes to the Lord with pleas on his heart. His desire is to be led in God’s righteousness and to have God’s way straight before him. David sees this in contrast to the wickedness of worldly ways. He sees the worldly as transgressors, under guilt, and leading to destruction.

How ought this lead our hearts in prayer? (1) That because of God’s abundant and steadfast love, we would desire to be in His house. That worship would be a priority to us, because we see and know God’s great love for us. (2) That we would desire to walk according to HIS way and by His standard of righteousness. That we would not redefine righteousness according to our standards. That we would love His standards because they are His. (3) That we would see worldly ways as the destructive and dishonoring ways that they are. That we would not desire them, but would stand firmly against them.

Bible Conference

We are having a Bible Conference this weekend at St. Paul's Reformed Church. Our featured speaker is Dr. Jack White. He is the President Emeritus of Geneva College and Director of the Church Renewal and Revitalization Program. He will be speaking on "What is a Healthy Church?" The first session is Saturday at 7 PM. Sunday session will be 9:30 AM, 10:45 AM (Morning Worship), at 7 PM. If you are in the area, please join us for one or all of the sessions.

Also, this Sunday's sermon on "Being Jesus' Friend" is available online for download.

Pastor Howard

Emily is back from Guatemala

Emily Harclerode just returned from her missions trip to Guatemala, and wanted to share her pictures with the church family. She will be with us at St. Paul's either May 20th or 27th to share her experience with us. Thanks Emily.

http://community.webshots.com/user/EmilyGuatemala2007

PSALM 4 DEVOTION

Psalm 4:1-8 (ESV)
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
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 honor 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.

Once again we read from David a Psalm during times of trouble. A cry to “God of my righteousness” asking for relief and vindication. David knows of the trustworthiness of the Lord from his own experience “You have given me relief when I was in distress.” He remembers God’s faithfulness and his responsibilities.

In verse 3, David reminds us of one of the great truths of Scriptures - “the Lord has set apart the godly for himself.” When this truth is rightly understood, it becomes easier to do those things David speaks.

When we understand that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself, it makes sense that he would hear us as we call. In times of trouble and anger over situations around us, we will be still and not sin, not acting out, but trust in the Lord.

When we understand that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself, we would expect him to put joy in our hearts, and more joy than the world can muster with its worldly ways of producing joy. So many look for escape to worldly methods of soothing their hearts and lives when they are in distress. We turn to things that satisfy the senses when we ought to turn to those things that satisfy the soul. Why would we, the godly, the people set apart for God, do this when we have the ultimate source of joy and peace as our Father and our Protector. We are able to lie down in peace as well, because the godly are for him and He makes them dwell safely.

As we approach the Lord in our times of fear and desperation, let us remember that even in these times, we have been set apart by God for Himself. That even in the darkest of hours, it is still His pleasure and purposes that are being accomplished in, with, and through us. So let us cry to Him, trust Him, rest in Him, and take our joy in Him which is far greater than the joy of the world. Let us be completely settled under His wing.

Easter Messages

My Good Friday message entitled - What Was Finished? and Easter Sunday message entitled "Weeping, Fear, and the Risen Lord" are available for download at the St. Paul's Audio page.

http://home.earthlink.net/~stpaulsreformed/audio.html

Pastor Howard

Psalm 3 Devotion

Psalm 3:1-8 (ESV)

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
[2] many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah
[3] But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
[4] I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
[5] I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
[6] I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.
[7] Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.
[8] Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah

This Psalm is given the preface A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. David’s family has a long and strange history. The account of this can be found in 2 Samuel 13-18. This issue begins with David’s son Amnon lusting after Absalom’s sister Tamar. Amnon uses deceit and is able violate her. Absalom finds out about it, as does David. Both are angry. Two years later, Absalom plots and has Amnon killed. King David finds out and Absalom is forced to flee. He remains gone for 3 years, then Absalom returns to Jerusalem but is not allowed to be in the King’s presence for another 2 years. After their supposed reconciliation, Absalom “stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:6) Four years later, Absalom proclaims himself to be King and David is forced to flee. This is when David pens this Psalm.

The first two verses have David surveying the landscape. He has enemies, which is something that he is familiar with from King Saul. These enemies think that God will not help him which is why David says in verse 2 “many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God.” But David knows better.

David pleads to God first as his recognized defender and sustainer. God is the one who protects him from the enemy’s hand. He hears his cries in this hour of need. David realizes that even waking up in the morning is a gift of God’s gracious provision.

David also realizes that God is the source of his victory. Deuteronomy 32:35 says “Vengeance is mine, and recompense.”

What ought we pray for?

1) That we would seek our protection and vindication from the Lord when under attack or wronged.

2) That we would seek comfort from the Lord in the midst of our turmoil.

3) That we would be grateful for God’s daily provision. Even when no one is seeking our life, every day we wake up is from the hand of the Lord.

Thinking Blogger Award

Thank you Pam at http://arustlingofleaves.blogspot.com/ for chosing me for a Thinking Blogger Award. I truly appreciate it.

Here are my 5 choices for the award.

Camp on This - Steve Camp is a Singer/songwriter; Bible teacher/preacher; religious satirist; biblical reformer; Protestant, and evangelical provocateur. His blog is filled with deep Biblical Truth from his own hand and the pen of other great Reformed thinkers. Really worth checking every day.

Pipe and Pint - This sight is by a friend of mine. I had this guy in youth group and now he is studying for the ministry. His sight is a mix of deep thoughts on what it means to be a Christian and the occasional sci-fi/fantasy entry (he is an author too).

CounterCult Apologetics- Another friend of mine who knows his stuff in the area of counter cult apologetics. It is his passion and it comes through. Of course, he is now involved in the work of ...

Alpha and OmegaMinistries - This is the sight of James White, noted Apologist. Enough said.

Presbyterian Thoughts - This blog is a by an OPC minister (also a friend). He is thoughtful and articulate regarding matters of Reformed theology.

Those who have been tagged by me are to continue by following the instructions for this meme:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,

3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote.

My Testimony

I have been told today is Testimony Tuesday, and have been asked to share my testimony. So here it is.

I grew up Catholic, but did not really know much about the Bible. I knew some of the stories, and I knew who Jesus was. As I got older I grew in my sense of my own sinfulness but did not know what to do about it. It try to do things to stop sinning because I knew that it displeased God, but could not stop.

I went to college and met up with some people involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. One of them shared the Four Spiritual Laws booklet with me. It showed me from the Scriptures that my sin deserved death, and that Jesus Christ death on the cross on my behalf paid the penalty that I deserved. What I needed to do was to enbrace Jesus Christ by faith as the substitute for my sins, and then seek to live after him by the work of His spirit.

I became involved in Campus Crusade and grew in my faith. I eventually left the Catholic church because I saw that I was not getting what I needed to grow there, and that they had failed to teach me about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. My works were never going to get me to heaven.

I thought about how to serve Jesus with my whole life. I thought I would be on staff with Campus Crusade. Of course, God had other plans. He worked His will and brought me to the place where I now serve as a minister of the God. How Great is Our God.

Latest Audio Sermon

Losing Life on John 12:20-28.

This is this week's sermon on Jesus' sacrifice and our call to discipleship.

Pastor Howard