Come Home for Christmas
Saturday and Sunday, December 2-3, 2006
My Prayer Today
Psalm 124
1 If the LORD had not been on our side—
let Israel now say—
2 if the LORD had not been on our side
when people rose up against us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
because of their burning anger against us.
4 The waters would have engulfed us;
a torrent would have overwhelmed us.
5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury
would have overwhelmed our very lives.
6 Blessed be the LORD,
who did not let their teeth tear us apart!
7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.
The trap is broken, and we are free!
8 Our help is from the LORD,
who made the heavens and the earth.
Ponderings on the Psalms
Psalm 124 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 consider how completely the Israelites recognized their need for God’s protection. In a way, this psalm is indicative of the history of Israel to the present day. Israel has survived against amazing and sometimes seemingly insurmountable odds. Why? Some would say it is because what the psalmist wrote 3,000 years ago is still true – God has protected them from their enemies. Is it still true now that the Jews have rejected Jesus? That question is one that has been debated for the past 2,000 years. The Apostle Paul made it clear that the Jews are still God’s chosen people, and that God’s giving the Gentiles (nearly all of us) the opportunity to receive salvation, will in the end serve to draw the Jews back to Him. As we go about living our daily lives, the protection of God is also necessary for us! Jesus is known as our Savior, and He does save us from sin and death, but He also saves us from much pain and struggle that would otherwise come our way if we didn’t know and trust Him as Savior and Lord. As the Psalmist makes it clear, “Our help is from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth.” May we live today with the knowledge and joy that can only come from the assurance of our faith!
STOP HERE. Sunday’s Study Follows.
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for this Christmas season! I pray that with all the preparations I make for Christmas that Jesus will be the center of each one. As Jesus came to the world in humble circumstances without fanfare or recognition, I pray that my preparations to celebrate His birth will be humble as well. Lord, amidst all the lights and glitter, I pray 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 124 again, remember God’s constant presence in our lives—day and night. Our God never slumbers or sleeps. Thank God for His greatness and His eternal watchfulness as you read the words.
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.
How does God continue to provide for you and protect you? Thank Him for His mercies new each day!