GATHERING
THE CALL | Luke 18:16-17 [ESV]
But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, so often we exalt ourselves in our hearts. Our minds are occupied with things that are too great for us. We seek to comprehend your hidden counsels, when you call us to trust in faith. Forgive us of our pride. Give us child-like trust in you, by your Spirit that cries out in our hearts “Abba, Father!”. Quiet our souls with your steadfast love, as we rest in your wisdom and your power to save, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
ASSURANCE | Isaiah 49:15
[Thus says the Lord:]
“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.”
SING: Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning
Is now and ever shall be world without end
Amen Amen
WORD
Read Psalm 106
“(vs.1) Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 106, another “historical psalm,” in many ways builds on Psalm 105. It continues to tell of the story of God’s “mighty deeds” (v. 2), displaying His faithfulness to generations past, and calls for praise and thanksgiving (v. 1). Yet Psalm 106 adds another element that is meant to lead God’s people to even higher levels of gratitude and praise…an element that was noticeably missing in Psalm 105.
Psalm 105 teaches God’s people to sing of His faithfulness, but Psalm 106 teaches God’s people to sing of His faithfulness in the midst of their unfaithfulness. It’s one thing to thank people for being “good” to you when you’ve been “good” to them (and we certainly should do this). But it’s another thing altogether when someone has been “good” to you, despite you having been everything but good to them. Here, thanksgiving of another magnitude is in order. Since God alone is good (Mark 10:18/Luke 18:19), He alone can truly be good to His people. He was good to Israel, despite their unfaithfulness (see vv. 6-43 for details), and He has been good to us, despite our unfaithfulness.
The LORD sees the mess we get ourselves into, and He hears us when we cry out to Him (v. 44). He remembers His covenant, and He shows steadfast love to His people (v. 45). Isn’t God’s patience with His people amazing when you stop and think about it? Yes, Israel’s unfaithfulness did eventually lead to their exile, and yet God was pleased to save the people from the nations to which He had scattered them (v. 47).
Might we as God’s people learn to cry out to Him quickly when we sin, that He might likewise rescue us. Let us this day, even when we sin, “give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (v. 1) “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Praise the LORD!” (v. 48) (John McCombs)
ABIDING
SING
- Psalm 131 | [recording] [music sheet]
TUESDAY-READ | Psalm 131
Spend time understanding and memorizing the outline of the Psalm, taking special note of the flow or transition points. If you are in a group, discuss the main themes and emphasis together.
SENDING
Heidelberg Catechism, Question 1:
Q: What is your only comfort in life and death?
A: That I am not my own,
but belong with body and soul,
both in life and in death,
to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins
with his precious blood,
and has set me free
from all the power of the devil.
He also preserves me in such a way
that without the will of my heavenly Father
not a hair can fall from my head;
indeed, all things must work together
for my salvation.
Therefore, by his Holy Spirit
he also assures me
of eternal life
and makes me heartily willing and ready
from now on to live for him.
1 John 3:2-3 [ESV]
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.