Cries and Praise to God (Psalm 22, Part 2)

Praise for God’s Justice (verses 22-31)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2022:22-31&version=NIV

May we enjoy the blessing of raising our voices together in praise for our redemption to the God of the universe. Redemption includes generations as well as nations, with each generation adding to the story what God has done.

Lord, we declare Your name; in the assembly we praise You. Thank You that You have listened to our cries for help. Thank You that the poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek You, Lord, praise You. Thank You for the reminder that You are present and You will achieve the purpose for which You created the world.

Because of Jesus’ suffering, he offers consolation to suffering people. The way of Christ is the way of the cross. God still reigns over His creation, and He will accomplish His purpose.

What thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinners’ gain;

Mine, mine was the transgression, but thine the deadly pain.

Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ‘Tis I deserve thy place;

Look on me with thy favor, and grant to me thy grace.

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

Cries and Praise to God (Psalm 22, Part 1)

Difficult times come to every follower of Christ. When we take our difficulties to God it helps to have Him say to us, “I too have hurt.”

Cry for God’s Rescue (verses 1-21)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2022:1-21&version=NIV

From Jesus’ conception and birth he had depended on God, his Father. But in his time of crisis he did not find God. We were at our weakest and most vulnerable at our birth. The God who was our God when we left our mother will be our God when we return to mother earth. Yet because of Jesus’ death, in our time of crisis we may find strength and help in God.

Our God, why do You seem to have forsaken us? Why do You seem so far from saving us? We cry out to You, but You do not seem to answer. Lord, we seem to be scorned by everyone, despised by people who mock us. Do not be far from us. Trouble seems near and we perceive no one to help us. Deliver us. Rescue us and save us. Thank You that from his altar of sacrifice, You accepted the death of Your Son, Jesus, as the atonement for our sin. Thank You for rescuing and saving us.

http://www.geneva.edu/attach/58747?type=support&primitive=0

God's Rule Through His King (Psalm 21, Part 2)

The Exalted Lord Consumes with Fire (verses 8-12)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2021:8-12&version=NIV

Our exalted Lord God consumes with fire. To Him belongs both the blessings and the curses of the covenant. Through Christ, our risen Lord, all enemy powers, including death, are swallowed. Christ, God’s Son, is the source of our strength.

Lord, fill us with Your joy. We celebrate with songs of praise and thanksgiving as we recount Your marvelous works. Thank You, Lord, that though our enemies plot evil against You and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed. Be exalted in Your strength, Lord. We sing and praise Your might.

The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!

John Rippon (1751-1836)

God's Rule Through His King (Psalm 21, Part 1)

We worship King Jesus, who reigns over all creation, proclaiming his exaltation by our words and deeds.

The Almighty Lord Grants His Blessing (verses 1-7)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2021:1-7&version=NIV

Our Almighty Lord God grants us His blessing. May we take joy in God as our victorious King by our faith and in songs of thanksgiving, rejoicing in our salvation that comes from him. The crown of Christ is the church gathered from all nations.

We rejoice in Your strength, Lord. You greet us with rich blessings and place a golden crown on the head of Your church. Your glory is great; You have bestowed on Christ our Lord and King splendor and majesty. He makes us glad with the joy of Your presence. We trust in You, Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High we will not be shaken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b4Mx04CZh8

The Lord Our Answer (Psalm 20, Part 3)

Answer Us Lord (verses 8-9)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2020:8-9&version=NIV

God provides us with all we need as we face problems, dangers, and battles. We know God who hears and answers our prayers. The final victory will be won by the Father of the Messiah. To Him be glory forever!

Lord, in prayer we come before You on our knees pleading for Your victory here in Jefferson County. Answer us when we call to You. Lord, give victory to Your King!

Some their warrior horses boast,

Some their chariots’ marshall’d host;

But our trust will we proclaim

In our God Jehovah’s name.

Jeremiah Burroughs (1600-1646)