Refuge in Our Righteous Lord (Psalm 11, Part 2)

In the Light (verses 4-7)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2011:4-7&version=NIV

The temple reflects God’s immanence; the throne reflects His transcendence. From His throne in heaven God sees all. He sees through all our pretences. Just as our righteous Lord loves justice, so should we. As we live just and upright lives, we will see the face of our Lord Jesus Christ, and reflect his face to others around us.

Thank You, Father-God, for Your light. Thank You that You remain both immanent and transcendent. Thank You for the righteousness You have given us through Your Son. Increase our righteousness and may we truly see and reflect Your face.

All my trust on thee is stayed,

      All my help from thee I bring;

Cover my defenceless head

      With the shadow of thy wing.

 Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Refuge in Our Righteous Lord (Psalm 11, Part 1)

May we find refuge both in the dark as well as in the light in our righteous Lord.

In the Dark (verses 1-3)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2011:1-3&version=NIV

Our postmodern society has little toleration for the Christian faith because it proclaims objective truth. In our threatening world we face terrorism, global warming and economic uncertainty. How can the church respond to our disintegrating society which rejects biblical values? Our only safe place is in God’s arms. If we place our confidence in God we can withstand trials, temptations and persecutions. Then rather than assimilate to society or isolate ourselves in our churches, God has sent us into the world with a message of hope.

In our postmodern society that finds satisfaction through material well-being, help us to return to You, Lord. We make You the source of our hope. Thank You, Lord, that You do provide refuge in these dark days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAWL-i-dXV8&feature=related

When Bad Things Happen (Psalm 10, Part 2)

The Prayer of the Victim (Psalm 10:12-18)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2010:12-18&version=NIV

By sending His Son, God shows that He does care and that He will resolve the problem of the unjust suffering of the righteous. At the blackest time in all of history Jesus Christ was made sin for us. Because of this loving intervention we can come to God, who has promised to help those who are in need. Our eternal righteous King sides with the weak, defenseless, and oppressed. He chooses humble people as His acquaintances.

Rise, Lord! Do not forget the helpless. Why do the wicked say to themselves, “God won’t call us to account”? But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted, You are the helper of the fatherless and the oppressed. You, Lord, are King forever and ever. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless.

Great God, we leave ourselves in thine hand; to thee we commit thy church afresh. Arise, O God, and let the man of the earth—the creature of a day—be broken before the majesty of thy power. Come, Lord Jesus, and glorify thy people. Amen and Amen.

William Gurnall (1617-1679)

When Bad Things Happen (Psalm 10, Part 1)

May we focus on God’s justice when bad things happen to us.

The Pride of the Tyrant (Psalm 10:1-11)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2010:1-11&version=NIV

Who do we turn to in times of trouble? In the immediate aftermath of 911, our nation turned to God; but that was short-lived. Over 90 percent of the population of the US believe in God, but live lives without regard for Him. We boast that we can achieve whatever we want by our own schemes. We have exchanged our worship of the Creator-God for worship of ourselves. Our bank accounts, board positions and property give us a sense of self-worth and security. In our pride we become vindictive and cruel. As we continue to experience no resistance from God, we conclude that God will never notice.

Why, Lord, do You seem so far off? Where are You in our times of trouble? People all around us bless the greedy and revile You, Lord. In their pride they do not seek You; they have no room for You in their thoughts. In their prosperity they reject Your laws. They say to themselves, “God will never notice; He covers His face and never sees.” 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_ubpY0Xx_o

God's Sovereign Justice (Part 3)

Hope in the Lord (verses 15-20)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%209:15-20&version=NIV

God’s judgment reveals His sovereignty to the whole world. Through the death of His own Son God judged humanity. Christ’s resurrection assured victory over sin and death. May we stand with Jesus, the hope of the world, beside the oppressed and marginalized in our society.

Lord God, our society has fallen into the pit they have dug. But You never forget the needy. Arise, Lord, do not let our mortal society triumph. Help us to stand beside the oppressed and marginalized in our community.

With all our hearts we give thanks to You, O Lord, because at all times You dwell with Your Christians and graciously preserve those in the true faith who confess Your name. Dwell in us, O Lord, with Your grace. Increase Your Church daily, and grant us to be and to remain, true members of the same to our final end. Amen.

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

God's Sovereign Justice (Psalm 9, Part 2)

Champion for the Oppressed (verses 9-12)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%209:9-12&version=NIV

God, the champion for the oppressed, provides refuge and strength. He promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Therefore we sing praises for God’s just rule and that He cares.

Thank You, Lord, that You are a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. We sing Your praises; we proclaim among the nations what You have done. Thank You that You do not ignore the cries of the afflicted.

Rejoice in God’s Salvation (verses 13-14)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%209:13-14&version=NIV

We too readily forget God and act as though He does not exist. In humility may we admit to God that we do not control our lives or destiny. May we rejoice in His salvation.

O Lord, have mercy and lift us up from the gates of death, that we may declare Your praises and rejoice in Your salvation.

God's Sovereign Justice (Psalm 9, Part 1)

Because of God’s sovereign justice we can use praise as an antidote to fear.

Praise to Our God (verses 1-2)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%209:1-2&version=NIV

We give praise to our God, celebrating His character and being. In the midst of distressing situations, we can praise God in anticipation of His deliverance, expressing our confidence in Him.

We will praise You, Lord, with all our hearts; we will tell of all Your wonderful deeds. We will be glad and rejoice in You; we will sing the praises of Your name, O Most High.

Judgment to the Nations (verses 3-8)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%209:3-8&version=NIV

May we celebrate the restorative aspects of God’s judgment, whose rule guarantees His righteous justice. Sitting on His eternal throne, God reigns. Therefore we have hope.

You, Lord, reign forever; You have established Your throne for judgment. You rule the world in righteousness and judge the peoples with equity. Heavenly Father, reign here in Jefferson County.

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_psalm9

God's Glory (Psalm 8, Part 2)

Human Ascribed Glory (verses 5-9)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%208:5-9&version=NIV

Compared to the vast universe, we are small and powerless, yet our Creator has given us the highest possible honor by creating us only a little lower than beings that occupy the heavens. Pride has crept into our lives and has become the source of conflict, wars, slavery, and human abuse of humans. If we recognize God’s power and authority we have no place for pride.

Thank You, Father, for exalting us—making us a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowning us with glory and honor. While you made us rulers over the works of Your hands, putting everything under our feet, please keep us from pride in our own achievements. Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the bounty and goodness of God! How is his love wonderful, and his grace past finding out! . . . Oh, the wonder of his goodness! Oh, the condescension of his love, to visit me, . . . to wait upon me, to be acquainted with me!  

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

God's Glory (Psalm 8, Part 1)

As we consider God’s glory we gain rich insights into the nature of human beings and our relationship to God.


God’s Majestic Glory (verses 1-4) 
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%208:1-4&version=NIV

We may have a personal relationship with God—the God whose glory fills the universe is our Lord. May we acknowledge our incredible insignificance. We see the vast sky above us. Then we look at the incredible potential in children and infants. Through His resurrected Son God exalts us with the honor He originally intended for us.


Lord, our Lord; how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. May we become like children in our praise of You, Lord. As we consider Your incredible universe, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what are we mere mortals that You are mindful of us, human beings that You care for us? 


http://www.geneva.edu/attach/43076?type=support&primitive=0

A Cry for Justice (Psalm 7, Part 3)

Judgment of the Guilty (verses 14-16)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%207:14-16&version=NIV

The certainty of judgment (vs. 12-13) and the prevalence of evil (vs. 14-15) meet in the retribution of evil (v. 16). Ultimately the enemy falls into his own trap. Whenever we want to injure our neighbors we should remember this principle of retributive justice: those who prepare a pit for others fall into it themselves.

Lord God, the evil around us gives birth to disillusionment. Protect us from the troubles that we cause coming back to haunt us. Keep us faithful to You.

Praise for God’s Righteousness (verse 17)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%207:17&version=NIV

On the cross Christ took our place and our sins. Now we take His place and His righteousness. As we praise God for His mercies we increase them. As we praise Him in our miseries we remove them.

Thank You, Lord, for Your righteousness. Thank You for the righteousness You have given to us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We sing praise to Your name, Lord God Most High. Transform us into people of joyous praise.

God, how great you are and how good. When we did not have a leg to stand on you stood up for us. When we were caught red-handed you defended us. Thank you for such a great salvation. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
David Allen Hubbard (1928-1996)