David writes Psalms from the heart and today’s offering is no different. Be blessed.
Psalms 61: Lead Me to the Rock To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.
1 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8 So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.
Psalms 62: My Soul Waits for God Alone To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
9 Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.
Psalms 63: My Soul Thirsts for You A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.
Things to think about…
1. Psalm 61 is a simple prayer that asks God to remember a faithful servant who has honoured the Lord. David acknowledges the Rock that is higher than himself, vs 2. Jerusalem was a high point, but God is infinitely higher. David asks for a long life. We may or may not have long lives here on the earth, but what is this compared to eternal life. Let’s look to the next life and store up there, where moth and rust cannot destroy. The heart of such a life of thanks and trust is expressed through praise and obedience. David says “I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day”, vs 8. This brings true joy for the worshipper in Christ, 1Jn 5:3.
2. Ps 62, to “The chief choirmaster”, Jeduthun who was a Levite of the family of Merari, and one of the three Masters of Music appointed by David, (1 Chr. 16:41, 42; 25:1-6). His office was generally to preside over the music of the temple service. Here he is given a Psalm of David (Psalm 62). This psalm reflects part of the personal journey of David. David is trusting in the Lord, he says God is “my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken”, vss, 2&6. But David acknowledges there are people in his midst that honour him with their mouths but their hearts are far from him, vs 4. David had dissention in his ranks but it was not overt. What a tragedy it is when brothers and sisters within a church cannot get along. Praise God for the unity we have at church. Let’s continue to show love and grace and see that it is maintained under the banner of truth. David completes the psalm with a final truth for us all “For you will render to a man according to his work”, vs 12. Let’s live in the light of this truth.
3. Psalm 63 was most likely written by David when he was in the wilderness and on the run from his son Absalom. He is the king at this point, vs 11 and so it is likely not to have been written when he was on the run from Saul. David certainly had a troublesome time of things at certain points. Here he is physically thirsty, vs 1 but also thirsty for the presence of the Lord, vs 1. But at this point David cannot be with the Lord in Jerusalem but remembers that he has looked upon the sanctuary and beheld the Lord’s power and glory. This psalm has a particular relevance for those who are ‘shut in’ and cannot regularly attend worship as they used to. They long to be with the Lord, with the Lord’s people as they gather for worship, but the season of life means they are unable. May the church remember the elderly especially and bring the Lord’s presence and blessing to such folk. Who do you know who is incapacitated and could do with a blessing by you visiting them?.
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.
Life groups Wednesdays. 6:30pm every Wednesday. 5:30pm prayer.
Prayer Points centre
1. Those getting baptised this Sunday
2. Pray for Glenys who still needs our encouragement and prayer for healing.
3. Pray for the work we have going on with site development and TMR and the development of a project team.
4. Keep praying for PlayPatch on Fridays, pray for more families to be reached.
5. Pray for Chaplaincy and Kids Hope at Karalee State School.
6. Pray for peace over the US elections
7. The ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.
8. Church finances to continue to grow and expenses to be more than met.
9. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
10. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Wednesday afternoons, 5:30pm at church. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
11. Pray about the possibility and planning of a Farmers Market at Chuwar Baptist Church once a month on Saturdays. Anastasia taking the lead on this. Pray for us as we plan
12. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
13. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Graham’s message on membership and baptism.
2. Praise God for our worship team. Well done Zac and Estefany
3. PlayPatch had a new mum join us this week.
4. Sally continues to amaze us with her interaction with everyone.
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Baptisms 15th September morning service. Let Pr Jay know if you want to be baptised.
2. Men’s event. Conquering the Mount. Men’s racing. Fri 11th Oct@Church from 5:30pm. 16+. $10 each. Dress in team colours Red – Holden, Blue – Ford, Gold – Chevrolet. See Tim Freeman for more details.
3. Prayer meeting 5:30pm and Life Group Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for September...
Q. 24. What was the sin of our first parents? A. Eating the forbidden fruit.
Bible References – Gen.2:16&17; Gen3:6.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
