These next 3 Psalms speak of Christ’s death, Psalm 22, then our death, Psalm 23, and finally our salvation in Him , Psalm 24.
Psalms 22: Why Have You Forsaken Me? To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
8 "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"
9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
10 On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.
12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet---
17 I can count all my bones--- they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog!
21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.
Psalms 23: The LORD Is My Shepherd A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalms 24: The King of Glory A Psalm of David.
1 The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah
Things to think about…
1. Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm and we see so much of Christ and His ministry in this Psalm, especially what He suffered on the cross. The first words of the Psalm, “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me” are of course echoed by Jesus on the cross as He cried out to the Father, Mt 27:46, Mk 15:34. He was forsaken by the Father on our behalf, for the payment of our sin. David felt the pain and loss of being left alone by the Lord. Have you ever felt like that? Know that as we follow our Saviour that He also knew what it was to be rejected by the Father. But we know our suffering is only for a season. Christ by being rejected by the Father was accepted as the perfect sacrifice, so we can now go boldly into the throne room of God. What are you asking for today? Ask with confidence, knowing you have His ear and heart.
2. Psalm 22 describes the scene around the cross that would occur over 900 years in the future from the time of writing. Christ was mocked on the cross, vs 7,8, They pierced his hands and feet, vs 16, cf, Mt 27:35, Jn 20:27. Note that crucifixion was unknown at this point in history when David was writing. They divided Christ’s clothes by lot, vs 18, cf Mt 27:35. It is a marvellous testimony that confirms that the Lord will keep His promises for his people.
3. What a comfort Psalm 22:29,30 is for us. Our Lord shall receive worship from His people – not only from those who are prosperous, but even those “who could not keep himself alive”, vs 29. I believe this also covers those whose lives were taken in the womb. What a merciful God we serve, “they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.”, vs 31. Hallelujah! Mediate on this. If God has said something regarding Himself and His people, it will be done. Stand on this and be encouraged.
4. Surely very few words of commentary need to accompany Psalm 23. Our Lord blesses with rest, green pastures and still waters as he restores our souls in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death. The shadow of course indicates that there is a light. Jesus is our light that leads us through the deepest valleys of trial, grief and loss. This Psalm is true of Christ just prior to the crucifixion. The table was prepared in the presence of Christ’s enemy – Judas Iscariot and Rome, Ps 23:5. But the cup of Christ overflowed to the disciples gathered and those beyond, certainly at the time of Pentecost and the establishment of the church. May this truth lead all those that are experiencing loss at this time. May the promises in Ps 23:6 be yours, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever”. Our Lord prepares a place for us to inherit and we will dwell with Him for eternity.
5. Psalm 24 looks forward to Christ. Jesus confirmed He had defeated sin and death on the cross, but the promises for the OT saints regarding the Lord’s kingdom and His salvation were a real comfort. Psalm 24 the OT saint is promised to “receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation”. We have the Lord’s righteousness and as such are free to enter His presence. Truly the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. David asks us to meditate on this truth in vs 10 “Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah”. Will know His name in Jesus (Yeshua). Amen.
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.
Sermon:-“Where are you going” – Psalm 1.
a. Have you ever been lost? What was it like and how long were you lost?
b. We are told that the way of blessing is when we delight ourselves in the Lord and turn away from ungodly counsel. This is easier said than done at times. Reading and meditating on the scriptures is given as a remedy. How is this the case and what is your present reading/studying program?
c. The promise is that you will bear fruit in season. What season are you in? Have you been in a tough season? Did you still bear fruit for Christ at that time?
d. Some people are spiritually lost. On the 26th July – a Wednesday night we will be running our first alpha night for non-Christians. Who can you invite to that first evening?
e. Pray for the events we have coming up – especially the Community Day on Saturday.
Prayer Points
1. Continue to pray for Jennifer’s mum recovering from a stroke that she may have restored health over the coming days and weeks.
2. Pray for our community day on the Sat 24th June that all the organising and advertising can be done well to ensure a successful event.
3. Pray for the tragedy of the 10 who lost their lives in the Hunter Valley bus accident. May our Lord’s peace be over the Hunter Valley and the communities affected.
4. Pray for Jay as he speaks to Karalee State school about starting a Friday afternoon kids club.
5. Andy continues to make incredible improvements. It was also wonderful to see Sally again on Sunday. What a sweetheart she is.
6. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
7. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
8. Pray for Kids@church.
9. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Thankyou to everyone who served on Sunday. Jen’s mum is stable and Andrew is always improving.
2. New equipment is coming online at Church. New cameras and sound equipment.
3. More new folk joined with us on Sunday.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Community Day Saturday 24th June at Church. At 1:00pm to 5pm ending with a bon fire. Please pray and invite.
2. Axiom next Sunday morning 25th June “Challenging Cancel Culture” – 9:30am
3. Alpha Course starting on Wed 26th July – 6:30pm – invite non Christians to this course.
4. Friday afternoon Kids Klub – starting third term – 3 (3:30pm start) - 5:30pm.
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 June...
Q. 9. Who is God? A. God is a Spirit, and does not have a body like men.
