GATHERING
THE CALL | Matthew 26:36-38
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
CONFESSION | Psalm 130 [ESV]
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
ASSURANCE | Luke 24:1-6 [ESV]
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”
(If you are gathered in a group, you could read the following call and response.)
Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
WORD
Day #62 “ Say among the nations, ‘The Lord Reigns’!”
First reading – Psalm 96
Second reading – Psalm 97
Today’s first reading (Ps.96) builds on the great call and invitation to worship Yahweh from Psalm 95 (see Day #61) with an intensification of response. This psalm moves the reader from invitation to command, using imperatives to exhort worshippers to respond in concrete ways: singing (x3,v.1-2), declaration of God’s glory and works (v.3), ascription of glory to the Lord (v.7-8), offerings and worship (v.8-9). Why?? “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods” (v.4). The psalmist then points to the Lord’s attributes (strength, beauty, holiness, creative power) as reason for these responses of worship. It should be noted that these responses are called forth in a general way from the entire creation, not just God’s covenant people (see v.1,7,9,11). This reminds us of the outward face of the kingdom of God and its universal character. We are then introduced to a motif that links the two psalms under consideration, namely the sovereignty of God over the nations (96:10 and 97:1,9) and his consequent role as a just judge (96:10c,13 and 97:2b,8).
Following the universal, global emphasis of Psalm 96 and the first half of Psalm 97, the psalmist then returns to the covenantal nature of this global God, declaring His special relationship with His people in 97:8-12. This entails preservation and deliverance from enemies, which is a call for great rejoicing (97:8,11,12).
How do you feel as you read these psalms in the midst of so much conflict in the world around us, and even in our churches? These psalms are meant to instill confidence in the reader, a rock-solid assurance that we do not live in the midst of random chaos; we live instead in our Father’s world, and He reigns! He is orchestrating all things to bring glory to Himself and good to His people. May we be people of faith who are given eyes to see King Jesus at work, for our joy and the flourishing of His creation! (Jim Partridge)
ABIDING
SING
- Psalm 130 | From The Depths of Woe (Indelible Grace version) [recording] [chord sheet]
- Psalm 130 (hymn version) [recording] [melody sheet] (this tune is used for “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”)
TUESDAY-Praying Psalm 130:3-4
This week, we will use Psalm 130 as a prayer template that we move through progressively each day.
“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.” (Psalm 130:3-4).
It can be daunting to reflect on our many failings in the day, but it is right for us to try to confess specific sins. Spend some time reflecting on the previous day. Bring specific sins before the Lord, and ask for and receive His mercy.
SENDING
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in the God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary;
suffered under Pontius Pilate;
was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the dead;
and the life everlasting. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:2,4-6 [ESV]
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.