The love, mercy and faithfulness of our Lord endures forever. These next few Psalms attest to the Lord’s faithfulness over His people throughout all generations.
Psalms 135: Your Name, O LORD, Endures Forever
1 Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD, give praise, O servants of the LORD,
2 who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God!
3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!
4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession.
5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast;
9 who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants;
10 who struck down many nations and killed mighty kings,
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12 and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel.
13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.
14 For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see;
17 they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them!
19 O house of Israel, bless the LORD! O house of Aaron, bless the LORD!
20 O house of Levi, bless the LORD! You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
21 Blessed be the LORD from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the LORD!
Psalms 136: His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalms 137: How Shall We Sing the LORD's Song?
1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres.
3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"
4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!
6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!
7 Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, "Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!"
8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!
9 Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!
Things to think about…
1. Look at what the psalmist praises the Lord for in Ps 135. Creation, vss 6,7, His judgements, vss 8-11 and Providence towards His people, vss 12-14. The end result is that we ‘Bless the Lord’ and ‘Praise the Lord’, vss 18-20. May our lives be a testament of praise and thanksgiving to what He has done and what He will do in our lives. List off what you can you praise Him for right now?
2. The echo of Ps 136 is ‘His steadfast love endures forever’. Consider again what God’s steadfast love looks like, His character vss 1-3, His Creation vss 4-9, His judgements vss 10-20, His providence, vss 21-25. The final result is that we give thanks, vs 26. Consider His steadfast love towards you with respect to the reasons listed. Jesus tells us not to use vain repetition, but this was in response to those who repeat things the invoke idols. Here the repetition is in response to His provision for His people and His grace over creation. We know some repetition will resound for eternity…”Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty who was and is and is to come!”, Rev 4:8.
3. When Israel was in captivity in Babylon they were tormented by being requested to sing their homeland songs of praise, Ps 137:3. Babylon was actually a place where they had a good amount of liberty and freedom. Many did not return to Jerusalem when they had the chance because over the years life in Babylon was so good. Does this earth have attractions for you that decrease your desires for heaven the longer you live here?
4. The Edomites tormented the Jews as they left Jerusalem to go into captivity to Babylon, hence Ps 137: 7. But what do you make of vs 9 where the psalmist blesses those that will dash Babylonian babies against the rock? Doesn’t seem very loving. This I believe is a heart cry by the captives that had their children brutally slaughtered. Vengeance is God’s alone but I think we all have some empathy with these Jewish captives. We know that the heart cry in Ps 137:8 came true when the Persians defeated Babylon in one night. The Jews were then able to return and rebuild their lives in Jerusalem.
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.
Sunday’s message – “On the Up and Up” – Psalm 120, 134
a. It was mentioned on Sunday that we can have highs and lows in life. But some of these are because of where we choose to dwell. Discuss what is meant by living in Meshech and Kedar in Ps 120.
b. When we move from an unhealthy situation to somewhere more positive it is greatly improved by others who are on the same journey who are making the same decisions. What does this look like in the life of a believer and how can we promote these things?
c. Discuss areas in your life that really belong to Meshech and Kedar, but not Jerusalem and certainly not part of the highest part of praise. Are you prepared to be held accountable to separate from those things that hinder your faith?
d. Pray how you can encourage others this year through some form of ministry.
Prayer Points
1. That our Kids@Church and Chuwar Youth group grow beyond anyone’s expectations.
2. Pray for Chuwar Youth and Jarrod for Friday’s.
3. New ministry leaders and coordinators.
4. How you can serve in ministry this year.
5. Pray for other building projects – café turf to be redone, roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. More visitors on Sunday – pray they are integrated into the church
2. Kids Church and Chuwar Youth leaders Rosie and Jarrod. Thankyou guys!!
3. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Quarterly Members meeting 26th Feb after the service.
2. Chuwar Youth Friday nights – 6:30-8:30pm. Grades 7 to 12. Chat to the Youth Pastor Jarrod for more details 0478 845 123.
3. Working Bee - be prepared, will happen soon. Please get involved. Prob early March
4. Sign up for a cell group or welcoming team.
5. Remember to check your duty rosters.
6. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
7. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for February...
Q. 5. Why ought you to glorify God? A. Because he made me and takes care of me.
Bible References – Rom.11:36; Rev.4:11; Dan.5:23.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
