Come Home for Christmas
Saturday and Sunday, December 16-17, 2006
My Prayer Today
Psalm 125
1Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
2Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds and protects his people, both now and forever.
3The wicked will not rule the godly,
for then the godly might be forced to do wrong.
4O LORD, do good to those who are good,
whose hearts are in tune with you.
5But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD.
Take them away with those who do evil.
And let Israel have quietness and peace.
Ponderings on the Psalms
Psalm 125 is another of the Psalms of Ascent written to be recited or sung as the Israelites traveled up the hill to the Temple for worship. As you read it notice how completely the Psalmist trusts in God to give security to those who trust Him. The contrast between the “good” and the “wicked” is evident throughout this brief psalm. While we all know that in the short term evil does sometimes triumph, the psalmist’s message is true: Good ALWAYS triumphs over evil. God ALWAYS wins in the end. Those who trust in the Lord ARE as secure as Mount Zion. The imagery the Psalmist uses demonstrates clearly how secure we are through the blood of Jesus: as secure as a city surrounded by mountains. Note that the security is not only “now,” but “forever.” Even though the psalmist lived long before God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our salvation, he knew the faithfulness of God, and the ability of God to keep those who trust in Him. When we are struggling in life, let’s remember that wicked will not ultimately rule the godly, even though in this life for a time that may be the case. In the end we will reign with God forever! The psalmist knew that, so how much more do we who trust in the blood of Jesus Christ!
STOP HERE. Sunday’s Study Follows.
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You again for this Christmas season! I continue to pray that with all the preparations I make for Christmas that Jesus will be the center of each one. I confess that it is all too easy to be distracted by the practices of the world at this season of year. Don’t let me fall into the trap of thinking that Christmas is about who can buy the best present, or get the most presents or throw the biggest party. Let me understand that just as Jesus came to the world in humble circumstances without fanfare or recognition, that my preparations to celebrate His birth are to be humble as well. Lord, I continue to pray that amidst all the lights and glitter, that my heart will be filled with the light of Jesus, and that I may be a light to others who don’t yet know Him. I pray that my words and actions will be a gift to others who are going through this season with either indifference or sadness, because they don’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today that as I worship You with brothers and sisters in the Lord, this day, that I may do so in Spirit and in truth. Let Your Spirit work in me that I may love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and that I may love my neighbors as myself. Glorify Yourself in my life today, and everyday. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Worship
Take time to encounter God. Lift up your heart to Him.
Take time to confess your sin to God. Write your thoughts here:
Take time to draw an “X” through your confessed sin. Your sin is forgiven … repent (don’t do it again!) and rejoice!
Shout for joy: “Jesus is Lord!” (This phrase was the first creed – statement of belief – of the church).
Read today’s Psalm again. As you read Psalm 125 again, remember God’s constant presence with those who trust in Him, and that the wicked will never ultimately triumph over God’s people!
My Space
MySpace.com is a growing presence on the World Wide Web. It’s billed as a “place for friends.”
At the end of each Sunday’s worship study, we will share space where you can jot down thoughts, prayer needs, insights that you want to share with your best friend – Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior. You may want to use My Space as a journal and save it to refer back as you continue to walk with God … grow in faith … and reach out to serve in Jesus’ name.
Take some time right now to write the ways that God has protected you from evil and given you security in this life—and the next!