Today is the Lord’s Day. I hope that wherever you are, you are worshiping the Lord and enjoying the fellowship of God’s people. In fact, now that I mention it…
Unity between brothers (Psalm 133) — I think I may have mentioned this in an earlier posting not too long ago, but I and everyone other human being in the world understand that people often have conflicts, and sometimes those conflicts happen in the church. It should not — absolutely should not — happen in the church, but it does. But not always, not even most of the time. Conversely, it happens quite a lot in the world; in fact, it could be said that it is the status quo. All this is just to say that one of the great blessings of the church is its expected unity. But this unity is not easy to maintain and that’s why Paul commands “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3, NAS95. And when we do work at it, that’s when it’s “like the precious oil upon the head… down upon the beard…upon the edge of the his robes…like the dew of Hermon.” For those of us who have become Christians and enjoyed the fellowship of the church, we know what a blessing the family of God is. So work at it the way the Lord would want us to.
Let the special servants of God praise Him (Psalm 134) — Why is the psalmist urging the servants of the Temple to praise the LORD? Why them especially rather than the whole people of God? As someone who has been in ministry for over 30 years, I’ve got to say that I would never have wanted to do anything else. But on the other hand, ministers having been to thousands of worship services, Bible classes, and devotionals over the years, it can be easy to get distracted and give them less weight than they really deserve. This specialized psalm is an encouragement to God’s special servants to rekindle their zeal and praise for the LORD. Dear minister, elder, deacon brother, be encouraged and keep your flame of zeal as you lead and encourage the Lord’s people!
The starkest of contrasts (Psalm 135) — What a contrast there is between the one true and living God and the so-called gods of this world. From idols to money to fame and anything else that mankind has made into a god — they are all nothing. They are the “creation” of men — not creators. They can’t talk or give guidance or wisdom. They can’t see; they can’t hear; and they most certainly are not living beings. The God of Israel, on the other hand, acts as His sovereign will decides; it is He who has created heaven and earth and everything in it (including human beings). It is the God of Israel who makes the clouds and the rain and the lightning, and wind. It is the LORD who saved His people Israel by His power and gave them Canaan as their inheritance. It is the Lord who has lived, died, and risen again to rescue mankind from its sin through faith in Him. What a contrast! Never let the differences escape you or let them get muddled somehow. It is the LORD who should be praised, obeyed, and given precedent.
See you tomorrow, Lord willing.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
About parklinscomb
I'm a minister for the Rock Hill church of Christ in Frisco TX (rhcoc.org) where I've worked since 2020. I'm a big fan of my family, archaeology, the Bible, and the Lord's church.
parklinscomb
The power of the God who is real — Psalm 133-135
Today is the Lord’s Day. I hope that wherever you are, you are worshiping the Lord and enjoying the fellowship of God’s people. In fact, now that I mention it…
Unity between brothers (Psalm 133) — I think I may have mentioned this in an earlier posting not too long ago, but I and everyone other human being in the world understand that people often have conflicts, and sometimes those conflicts happen in the church. It should not — absolutely should not — happen in the church, but it does. But not always, not even most of the time. Conversely, it happens quite a lot in the world; in fact, it could be said that it is the status quo. All this is just to say that one of the great blessings of the church is its expected unity. But this unity is not easy to maintain and that’s why Paul commands “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3, NAS95. And when we do work at it, that’s when it’s “like the precious oil upon the head… down upon the beard…upon the edge of the his robes…like the dew of Hermon.” For those of us who have become Christians and enjoyed the fellowship of the church, we know what a blessing the family of God is. So work at it the way the Lord would want us to.
Let the special servants of God praise Him (Psalm 134) — Why is the psalmist urging the servants of the Temple to praise the LORD? Why them especially rather than the whole people of God? As someone who has been in ministry for over 30 years, I’ve got to say that I would never have wanted to do anything else. But on the other hand, ministers having been to thousands of worship services, Bible classes, and devotionals over the years, it can be easy to get distracted and give them less weight than they really deserve. This specialized psalm is an encouragement to God’s special servants to rekindle their zeal and praise for the LORD. Dear minister, elder, deacon brother, be encouraged and keep your flame of zeal as you lead and encourage the Lord’s people!
The starkest of contrasts (Psalm 135) — What a contrast there is between the one true and living God and the so-called gods of this world. From idols to money to fame and anything else that mankind has made into a god — they are all nothing. They are the “creation” of men — not creators. They can’t talk or give guidance or wisdom. They can’t see; they can’t hear; and they most certainly are not living beings. The God of Israel, on the other hand, acts as His sovereign will decides; it is He who has created heaven and earth and everything in it (including human beings). It is the God of Israel who makes the clouds and the rain and the lightning, and wind. It is the LORD who saved His people Israel by His power and gave them Canaan as their inheritance. It is the Lord who has lived, died, and risen again to rescue mankind from its sin through faith in Him. What a contrast! Never let the differences escape you or let them get muddled somehow. It is the LORD who should be praised, obeyed, and given precedent.
See you tomorrow, Lord willing.
Share this:
Like this:
Related
About parklinscomb
I'm a minister for the Rock Hill church of Christ in Frisco TX (rhcoc.org) where I've worked since 2020. I'm a big fan of my family, archaeology, the Bible, and the Lord's church.