Asaph writes his final Psalm asking for the Lord to hear and act. The sons of Korah show the blessing of dwelling in the presence of the Lord and ask that He guides Israel to restoration.
Psalms 86: Great Is Your Steadfast Love A Prayer of David.
1 Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you---you are my God.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.
7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Psalms 87: Glorious Things of You Are Spoken A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.
1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3 Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah
4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush--- "This one was born there," they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her"; for the Most High himself will establish her.
6 The LORD records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah
7 Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."
Psalms 88: I Cry Out Day and Night Before You A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.
1 O LORD, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you.
2 Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!
3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength,
5 like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.
6 You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.
7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah
8 You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
9 my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you.
10 Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah
11 Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12 Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?
15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
16 Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me.
17 They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together.
18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.
Things to think about…
1. Psalm 86 is a Psalm of David. Like so many times in his life, David is crying out the the Lord and asking Him for deliverance from enemies. In this case it is known enemies. He calls them “insolent” and “ruthless men”, vs 14. While doing the Lord’s work often there aree people that we know very well who are not for the same things we are. Their whole desire is to pull down the work of the Lord. David says that he is godly and that he trusts in the Lord, vs 2. We know that David could not be described as godly at certain points of his life. What makes us godly us what the Lord does through the influence of the Holy Spirit. David knew personally that the Lord was “forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you” vs 5. We can acknowledge that same. While are not perfect, we are forgiven. While at times we do not seek after the Lord the way we should, He is the One that teaches our heart to walk in truth, and to fear His name, vs 11. This is where we can all rejoice with David that our Lord is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”, vs 15. And that He is the One that has “helped me and comforted me”, vs 17.
2. Psalm 87 is an elevation of Jerusalem by the Sons of Korah. These men were called to tend after the temple especially in worship and the singing of God’s praise. Jerusalem is not just for the native-born Jew, but also for the one time enemy of Israel. Those who are from Egypt, Babylon. Philistia or Cush, etc. These will also be names as those that “were born in her”, vs 5. Jesus makes us part of the heavenly Jerusalem by His grace. He will rule and reign from Jerusalem. This city will be the centre of earthly rule and blessing when He returns to rule over the earth.
3. In Psalm 88 the Sons of Korah are asking for the Lord’s presence and deliverance to be a part of their experience. Have you ever felt rejected by the Lord.? You have been asking Him to show His blessing and help, but it seems to no avail. These of course are seasons of growth and development. They are never pleasant, but always have a greater purpose. We are called to conform to the image of Christ. Jesus was a man of sorrows acquainted with grief, as such we are often led into places that allow us to grow to be like Him. If we are to acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty over all things, like the sons of Korah we must the Lord is the one who has “put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves”, vss 6, 7. This is often due to discipline being applied to a servant of the Lord. Have youi ever been in a season like this. I have, they are never pleasant. But it is not about our comfort, but our conformity to Christ. The psalm finishes with “You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness”, vs 18. Often close friends become as enemies. Some who have wlaked with eachother and the Lord for many years shun us and have turned as it were to darkness. These are painful seasons. The only comfort for those in this position is that there is still life, death id not yet and the story is not over. Just as the Lord ordained these circumstances, He will also ordain deliverance. Sometimes we just need to wait on the Lord and see how it all pans out.
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.
Sermon title was ““All Israel will be saved”” - from Rom 11:25-36
1. What has been your understanding of the Jewish people in the past? Have you always thought that the Lord had plans for the nation, or did you think that all the OT promises to Israel are really for the church? Discuss
2. Israel became a nation again in May 14th 1948. The dry bones that Ezekiel spoke about in Ezek 37 were indeed living. Israel is a modern day miracle. The Hebrew language was dead and now has been revived to be taught as the national language. Jews are also returning to the land in record numbers. Almost half of the world’s Jewish population resides in Israel. The Lord quoted to Abraham regarding His descendants that “Those who bless you I will bless”. How has Australia blessed Israel and how should we bless Israel as a church?
3. Praise the Lord that He never breaks His promise. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ. We may have broken promises or others have broken promises to us, but the Lord will never break His covenant promise to His people. This is the good news. Discuss what this means for you.
Prayer Points
1. The Lord blessed again with our Sunday service. New people, as well as being blessed by the word and worship. Pray they will feel connected into the church.
2. Our Elders confirmed with an open call. Pray the Lord continues to teach and bless them
3. Christmas season – joy and unity promoted in Christ.
4. Growth in our kids and youth ministries
5. Pray for testimonies that people will be giving. Please consider when you would like to give yours.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Witness over the Christmas season.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful celebration of the life of Zac’s dad, Mark Torrington yesterday. The gospel was given and the service was a wonderful tribute to the faith of the man. Zac honoured his dad by playing guitar as a “going home” was sung.
2. New folk to church.
3. Word and worship blessed. Elders Doug and Graham confirmed with an open call.
4. Churches have been recognised as essential services and will be allowed to operate without restriction after new vaccination restrictions come in.
Announcements
1. Country Carols, monster trucks, fire works – Sat 11th Dec. Must book online to get tickets. Go to the Tivoli drive in website. Feel free to park at CBC if required.
2. Men’s fishing trip 11th Dec. Limited berths. See Shaun Newberry for details.
3. Kids@church back. Please check your rosters
4. Recharge Youth – back on Friday 6:30pm at church all high schoolers.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
