God's Path of Eternal Presence (Psalm 16, Part 1)

May the “Son” shine through the pages of the Old Testament to light our path.

God our Refuge (verse 1)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2016:1&version=NIV

In times of danger may we turn to the Omnipotent One for refuge, confident that He who heard the cries of our faithful High Priest will keep us safe.

Keep us safe, our God; we take refuge in You.

God our God (verses 2-4)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2016:2-4&version=NIV

God will keep us from getting distracted by the endless “noise” and distractions around us. May we learn to delight in our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Oh Lord God, You are our Lord, apart from You we have no good thing. Help us to maintain our personal holiness through our union with others in Christ Jesus. May we experience these noble people in whom is all Your delight. Lord, we mourn the sorrows of those who run after other gods.

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_pop2_psalm16a

Who May Live in God's Presence? (Psalm 15, Part 3)

The Assurance (verse 5b)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2015:5&version=NIV

We have the assurance that the righteous will not only abide in God’s sanctuary, they will remain firm and secure throughout their lives.

Lord, give us Your righteousness; may we never be shaken. We praise You for Your assurance that as we put our trust in Your Son we stand on the firm foundation of life. We intentionally dedicate our thoughts, words, deeds, and relationships to serving Your kingdom.

O Lord, forsomuch as there is so much unsoundness and hypocrisy reigning among those that dwell in thy tabernacle, professing thy word, and frequenting the places of thy worship; I beseech thee most humbly, to declare to thy people some tokens and cognizances by which a true subject of thy kingdom may be discerned from the children of this world. Here then, observe, that an external profession of faith, and outward communion with the church of God, is not sufficient unto salvation, unless we lead an incorrupt life correspondent to the same, doing the thing which is right, and speaking the truth in our heart.

John Boys (1607-1664)

Who May Live in God's Presence? (Psalm 15, Part 2)

The answer (verses 2-5a)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2015:2-5&version=NIV

Ten conditions for dwelling in God’s presence provide the answer. Only those who have been conformed to the image of Christ through the righteousness of Christ imputed to us may dwell in God’s sanctuary.

1) Integrity—avoid sin; integrate belief and practice.

Lord, help us to live consistent lives of integrity, walking blamelessly and quickly fleeing sin.

2) Do right—on the job, in relationships, on the Internet.

Lord, help us to do what is right and live righteously in every area of our lives.

3) Truthfulness—in our lives and in our finances.

Help us, Lord, to speak truth. May our honor be more important to us than our wallet.

4) Guard words—no gossiping or slandering.

Lord, remove gossip, slander and unkind words from our speech.

5) Kindness—treat neighbors well, earning their respect.

Help us, Lord, to be kind to all our neighbors.

6) Harmless—No put-downs of coworkers, drivers who cut us off, people with different opinions or ethnic backgrounds.

Lord, help us not to harm others by anything we say.

7) Discernment—keep close to people who honor God.

Lord, give us discernment as we assess others. Draw us closer to Your children.

8) Faithfulness—keep promises to others, our employer, our spouse, even when it hurts.

Help us, Lord, to be faithful, even if it means personal hurt or loss.

9) Generous—lend and give generously.

Forgive us, Lord, for our wealth at the expense of the poor. Make us generous.

10) No corruption—with regard to employment and government.

Lord, help us not to be greedy. Help us to maintain transparency and integrity in every area of our lives.

Who May Live in God's Presence? (Psalm 15, Part 1)

This Psalm begins with a question and ends with God’s assurance, describing the conditions for admittance into God’s dwelling.

The question (verse 1)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2015:1&version=NIV

For Moses the sanctuary was the tent of the tabernacle. For David the sanctuary was the Temple. For us the sanctuary is our bodies. For Moses the holy mountain was Sinai. For David the holy mountain was Jerusalem. For us the holy mountain is the church, the body of Christ.

Lord, may we dwell in Your sanctuary. May we live on Your holy mountain.

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_pop_psalm15

Societal Folly (Psalm 14, Part 3)

Restoring God’s People (verse 7)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2014:7&version=NIV

In time God will restore His people, delivering us from those who persecute us. With Jesus’ advent both Jews and Gentiles have been assured of God’s concern for and presence with His people. Previously we stood condemned in God’s court, but now because we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ we are accepted and restored.

Lord, oh, that salvation for Jefferson County would come from You! We rejoice and are glad for You will restore Your people, Thank You, Lord, for Your salvation and restoration. Fill us with Your joy and gladness.

Come, King, appear, and they will fear your authority. All have turned from the ways of the prophets. Come, O Way, and lead back those who have wandered away.

Asterius the Homilist (late 4^th-early 5^th century)

Societal Folly (Psalm 14, Part 2)

Oppressing God’s Poor (verses 4-6)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2014:4-6&version=NIV

We like to classify ourselves as the righteous poor, overlooking that we have built our lifestyles on exploiting the truly poor in the two-thirds world. We who have so much have so little care for the needs of those living in severe poverty and exploitation. The harsh judgment of this psalm condemns our ignoring the suffering in our world. God is on the side of the poor and downtrodden.

Lord, the evildoers around us seem to devour Your people as though eating bread, never calling on You. Yet You are present with the righteous. Our society’s evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but You, Lord, are their refuge. Forgive us for our lifestyles built on and insensitive to our oppressing others who live in poverty. Show us how we can serve You as a refuge for those in poverty in Your world.

Societal Folly (Psalm 14, Part 1)

Godless societal folly reveals itself in two ways: flouting God’s law and oppressing His poor. Ultimately God’s salvation brings restoration.

Flouting God’s Law (verses 1-3).

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2014:1-3&version=NIV

Our world is filled with evil—war, genocide, oppression, exploitation, abuse. We cannot see the folly of our society more clearly because we are accustomed to it. We conduct ourselves by the changing and relative norms of our society. We deceive ourselves by either thinking we have not sinned or we lull ourselves into believing it makes no difference.

Thank You, Lord God, that You exist. Forgive us for our corrupt, vile deeds. Thank You that You look down from heaven on the human race to see if there are any who understand, any who seek You. Forgive us, Lord, for turning away, forgive us for becoming corrupt. Increase our desire to seek You. Remove our corruption, increase our goodness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIRaLB7jHmU&feature=related

Waiting on the Lord (Psalm 13, Part 3)

Praising Delight (verses 5-6)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2013:5-6&version=NIV

In spite of our deep despair may we not give up. We will ultimately rejoice in God’s salvation and praise Him in our delight. God will give us the strength we need for today. We can indeed trust His unfailing love and rejoice in His salvation. In the end we can sing praises to God. We can offer our faith in God’s mercy as a song of thanksgiving to our Lord.

Lord, we place our trust in Your unfailing love. We thank and praise You for our salvation. In the midst of our frustration and impatience, help us to sing Your praises, for You have indeed been good to us.

Whate’er my fears or foes suggest,

You are my hope, my joy, my rest.

My heart shall feel your love and raise

My cheerful voice to sing your praise.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Waiting on the Lord (Psalm 13, Part 2)

Praying Demand (verses 3-4)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2013:3-4&version=NIV

In our desperation before the perceived victory of our enemies, we can come to God in prayer. We can seek answers from God, knowing that ultimately God’s enemies will not prevail. In prayer we can confidently demand God’s victory and vindication.

Look on us and answer, Lord our God. Lord, You are our answer. Give light to our eyes. In our desperation we come to You in prayer with confidence that You ultimately will prevail.

Waiting on the Lord (Psalm 13, Part 1)

Here we see a picture of despair and trust, teaching us to pray about all things as we wait on the Lord. How often do we begin our prayers full of fears and doubts, which then grow into a comfort for our spirits?

Pleading Desperation (verses 1-2)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2013:1-2&version=NIV

We sometimes perceive the always present and all-knowing God as absent and inactive. Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, personally experienced abandonment from God. Yet Jesus remained faithful to God through His suffering and death. Like Jesus, our sense of God’s abandonment may be painful. Like Jesus may we openly and honestly tell God about our sense of abandonment, and with the psalmist plead our desperation. May we remember that all things will work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28).

How long, Lord, must we wait for You to do something here in Jefferson County? We confess our impatience. We long, O Lord, to see Your love transform our society.

http://www.geneva.edu/attach/58732?type=support&primitive=0

Society’s Flattering Lies and God’s Flawless Truth (Psalm 12, Part 2)

Flawless Words of God (verses 5-8)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2012:5-8&version=NIV

God’s flawless words reveal His true character. He says what He means and He does what He says. People in our society say, “we will prevail;” but untrue to their word, they won’t. God says, “I will now arise;” and true to His word, He will. When God’s spoken word failed to win the hearts of self-focused people, He sent a different kind of Word. God’s Word—spoken, written in the Scripture, or living in Christ—is God’s means to make Himself known to us.

Thank You, Lord, that Your words are flawless. You will keep the needy safe and protect us forever from the wicked who freely strut about in depravity. Make us children of Your word. And may we take Your side by serving the needy.

Even if the godless and demons and agitators surround us, even if they besiege us and cut us off, you will render us superior with your help.

Diodore of Tarsus (d. 394)

Society’s Flattering Lies and God’s Flawless Truth (Psalm 12, Part 1)

Psalm 12 contrasts the boastful, self-serving words of the world with the pure, effective words of God.

Flattering Words of Society (verses 1-4)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2012:1-4&version=NIV

Evil people gain power by flattery and deception. Contemporary advertising exploits ambiguity and persuades by implication or innuendo and partial communication. We are all too aware of the “spins” of our politicians. Advertising and politics illustrate ways in which we find our language exploited and twisted for gain. As a result those with the most flattering lips master us.

Help us, Lord, to be true in our speech. It seems that no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal seem to have vanished. We find flattery and deception all around us. Help us not to follow society and abuse our communication. Keep us from the flattering words of society.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LawGCdKpmQ