David has some words from the heart in this morning’s reading. Psalm 72 is written by Solomon, but also speaks of David’s greater Son and is therefore a Messianic psalm. Take a look.
Psalms 70: O LORD, Do Not Delay To the choirmaster. Of David, for the memorial offering.
1 Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!
2 Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonour who delight in my hurt!
3 Let them turn back because of their shame who say, "Aha, Aha!"
4 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
5 But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!
Psalms 71: Forsake Me Not When My Strength Is Spent
1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you.
7 I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together
11 and say, "God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him."
12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.
16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.
22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.
Psalms 72: Give the King Your Justice Of Solomon.
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!
5 May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!
7 In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!
9 May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust!
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
12 For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.
15 Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field!
17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!
18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!
20 The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
Things to think about…
Like so many Psalms of David, he prays for deliverance from his enemies. He had plenty – Saul, Deog, even his own son Absalom. In this case his prayer is short but effective. Psalm 70 is a simple prayer of trust and a cry for deliverance. God answers, because all that is required is faith. God heard David’s cry on every occasion and delivered him of his enemies. What are you praying for God’s help with today?
Psalm 71 is likely written by David. Here he is an older man, Ps 71:9, 18. He knows the Lord has delivered him in the past from many trials. But even now in old age there is another trial and another enemy. We know that in this case it was likely his son Absalom that was the antagonist. Absalom had persuaded the people to follow him and David was forced to flee the city for his life. God of course delivered David, but here we see the struggle before the answer to his prayer. David would lose his son which would cause him more heart grief. When times are tough, what’s your reaction to God? Do you accuse or do you accept? Psalm 71 acknowledges the hardship, but also acknowledges the Lord’s right to be worshipped vss 18-24. It’s important to acknowledge things we should be praising God for – your salvation, job, spouse, children, freedom, friends, church.
Psalm 72 is a prayer of David about Solomon but there is a higher fulfilment in Christ. The prayer speaks of the abundance that will come because a righteous king is on the throne. While this had literal fulfilment in the times of Solomon for most of his reign, we know that Solomon’s heart was led astray by his many wives who were worshippers of foreign gods. The kingdom of Israel would be divided under the next king Rehoboam and captivity would occur after further rebellion through king Jeroboam and the worship of the 2 gold calves. But this Psalm speaks of a higher blessing for the Lord’s people. This will not only be fulfilled literally in the land of Israel under the Messiah but is also true in the life of every believer who names the name of Christ. In the end, this is our desire for our Lord Jesus’ ministry, “may the whole earth be filled with his glory!”, Ps 72:19. Amen and Amen.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
The reading this week was from James 5:7-20
James the brother of Jesus is writing to Jews about patience and endurance through suffering. James certainly knew what he was talking about as he remained in Jerusalem after the stoning of Stephen and the persecution that followed for the Christians who remained. James would himself be stoned to death in AD63 for under the charge of “not following the law of Moses”.
1. Would you consider yourself to be a patient person? It of course depends on what you are called to be patient in. What are you least patient in?
2. James, like Jesus urges people to be true to their word in James 5:12. Let your “Yes” be “Yes” and your “no”, “no”. It seems Australians struggle with keeping their word. This is often the case within Christianity as well. Do you agree? Can you give some examples. What can be done to not allow Satan a foothold here.
3. James speaks about the imminent return of Christ. For him it was not long after writing this letter in AD63. It was also true of those living in Jerusalem a few years later in AD70. Do you spend much time thinking about the Lord’s return, especially when you will meet Him. This is not so far away for any of us in reality. Discuss your thoughts on this.
4. James’ last words recorded on this earth were “whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins”, James 5:20. Have you led anyone to Christ? If so, when? If not, do you speak to others about what your salvation/faith means to you?
Prayer Points
1. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours 😉
2. Pray for ministries as they start up this week – especially Sunday School, PlayPatch and Recharge. Pray for Maddison and Melinda as they lead these ministries.
3. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof and solar.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points.
1. New folks on Sunday.
2. John healing well. Good to see him back on Sunday.
3. Communion time on Sunday.
4. Riots in South Africa are settling down.
5. Praise and worship – thanks ZAC, Rod, Molly, Riley, Tim, Rin and Melissa.
6. The freedom to gather, albeit with masks on Sunday.
Announcements
1. Will need to be worn for another week. So we will be wearing masks on Sunday. Andrew Otte will be blessing us with Psalm 71.
2. PlayPatch for toddlers at church, Fridays 9:30-11am. Please get the word out. See Maddison for details.
3. Recharge Youth – 6:30-8:30pm – Band night tonight.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
