Be blessed with these three short but punchy psalms this morning! I pray your relationship with your Saviour deepens through the Lord’s Spirit speaking into your life!
Psalms 52: The Steadfast Love of God Endures To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, "David has come to the house of Ahimelech."
1 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah
4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.
5 But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6 The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,
7 "See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!"
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.
Psalms 53: There Is None Who Does Good To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.
1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.
2 God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
3 They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
4 Have those who work evil no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?
5 There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you; you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
Psalms 54: The Lord Upholds My Life To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, "Is not David hiding among us?"
1 O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might.
2 O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah
4 Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
5 He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them.
6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.
Things to think about…
1. It’s helpful to read the titles in the Psalms when they appear to give some context behind the writing of the psalm. In Psalm 52 we read “Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, "David has come to the house of Ahimelech." This evil man Doeg was the instrument in causing the death of the house of Abimelech who were priests. Only one escaped to tell the story. It is found in 2 Samuel 22, a tragic tale of when David was on the run from Saul. Evil men will always pull down the righteous in the house of God. I have seen this in my time as a pastor on many occasions. The Lord gets the victory, and the church is stronger, wiser and more effective in sharing the gospel as a result.
2. Psalm 52 reminds me a little of Psalm 1. Evil will be judged but the righteous will be blessed – therefore walk in the ways of the Lord. These are simple, but practical and obvious truths. Verse 7 is an ailment in the west, “See the man who would not make God his refuge but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!". Unfortunately, this affliction and unbelief comes into the church, and we then suffer from mans efforts and ways rather than allowing the Lord to build the house. I love vs 9, let’s just wait and see what God will do ‘in the presence of the godly’. Our church is beginning to see His blessing – let’s continue to be patient and obedient!
3. There are clearly many fools in our society today, they have said in their hearts, “there is no God”, Ps 53:1. Paul quotes Psalm 53 in Rom 3:10-12. There is no-one who does good, no not one etc. We all fall short of God’s glory. Sin separates us from God. But God restores the fortunes of His people – therefore let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad, vs 6. Thank God for your salvation today. The truth is – you don’t deserve it! Christ makes you worthy.
4. It was not only Doeg the Edomite who betrayed David. There were many others. In Psalm 54 we see again in the title that “the Ziphites went and told Saul, "Is not David hiding among us?" as recorded in 2 Samuel 23. As such David could not remain among them. Knowing who you can trust in ministry, who is for you and who is against you in your endeavours to honour Christ is a discernment that should be sought by every ministry leader. What ministry are you involved in or about to start. Find out who is for you and who is against you, pray the Lord gives you wisdom to know the difference. Many, even within the household of faith can seek after a ministry that exalts their own ends rather than promoting the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
5. David knew what it was to have people hate him for standing up for the truth. In Psalm 54 he prays that God would protect him against the slander and actions of evil men. In this case it was Saul. Do you have people who are speaking against you? The promise is that the Lord will deliver you from every trouble and that you will triumph over your enemies, vss 4, 5. Satan is defeated. Don’t give him any ground today.
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.
Young adult Life group – This week – how do we know the bible is God’s word?
Prayer Points
1. Lee Davies dad Peter has entered his eternal rest. Pray and comfort for peace at this time.
2. Pray for Helen who has badly damaged her meniscus. She is recovering at home.
3. Keep praying for Anna and the Playgroup on Fridays, pray for more families to be reached.
4. Pray for Chaplaincy and Kids Hope at Karalee State School. Training happening this week
5. Pray for peace over the US elections
6. The ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.
7. Church finances to continue to grow and expenses to be more than met.
8. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
9. 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.
10. 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
11. 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.
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for our Bean Redeemed Café team! Serving you every week
2. Praise God for Lauren’s safe return. The Lord blessed her visit with her family finding some closure and hearing the gospel.
3. Worship team did a great job.
4. Praise God for young people stepping up in a number of ministries.
5. Playgroup is a great encouragement for our church.
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. The blessed life – Part 4 “Need, greed or seed” from Gal 3. This Sunday morning
2. Working bee this Saturday morning 27th July. Please contact Che for a list jobs and requirements.
3. Kids at Church – The Blessed life – Life not law part 3. Anastasia leading.
4. Ron Naylor – Creation Ministries International coming to CBC on the 18th Aug 6pm
5. Monday and Wednesday evening prayer at church 5:30-6:30pm
6. Life Group Wednesday 6:30pm at church – start back this week.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for July...
Q. 22. What is Sin? A. Sin is any transgression of the law of God.
Bible References – 1Jn.3:4; Rom.3:20; James 2:9-11
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
