Sunday Meditation, February 21

Delighting in God’s King

Scripture for Meditation: Psalm 2:1,2

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

Prayer of Blessing

Responsive Reading: Acts 4:23-31

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

“‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ —

for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Prayer of Corporate Confession

Silence for Personal Confession

Assurance of Pardon: Revelation 5:9b, 10

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Response: Thanks be to God.

Ministry of the Word

Transition to Singing

Feel free to leave at this time or stay for the indoor singing.

Psalm of Lament: Psalm 42

Lord, from sorrows deep I call
When my hope is shaken
Torn and ruined from the fall
Hear my desperation
For so long I’ve pled and prayed
God, come to my rescue
Even so the thorn remains
Still my heart will praise You.

Storms within my troubled soul
Questions without answers
On my faith these billows roll
God, be now my shelter
Why are you cast down my soul?
Hope in Him who saves you
When the fires have all grown cold
Cause this heart to praise You.

Chorus:
And, oh, my soul, put your hope in God
My help, my Rock, I will praise Him
Sing, oh, sing through the raging storm
You’re still my God, my salvation.

Should my life be torn from me
Every worldly pleasure
When all I possess is grief
God, be then my treasure
Be my vision in the night
Be my hope and refuge
Till my faith is turned to sight
Lord, my heart will praise You.

Words and music by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell
© 2018 Getty Music Hymns and Songs (ASCAP)/Love Your Enemies Publishing (ASCAP)/Getty Music Publishing (BMI)/Messenger Hymns (BMI) (adm by MusicServices.org).
CCLI #2783020

Psalm of Sovereignty: Why Do the Nations Rage? (Psalm 2)

Why do the nations rage? Why do kings plot in vain
To overthrow Jehovah’s rule and His Messiah’s reign?
The Lord in fury laughs. From heaven’s throne He speaks:
“The crown will rest on Zion’s hill for all eternity.”

Hear God’s Anointed say, “The Lord decreed to Me,
‘You are My Son, Possessor of supreme authority.
My will declares You Heir of global sovereignty.
With iron scepter You will crush Your spiteful enemies.’”

God’s One and Only Son, King of Eternity,
For sinners bled, then conquered death to prove His deity.
Soon from His Father’s throne, crowned brow and flaming eyes,
The Lamb will come to dash His foes and wed His radiant bride.

Joseph Tyrpak, © Copyright 2009 churchworksmedia.com. All rights reserved. CCLI #2783020

Psalm of Trust: Psalm 23

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads me by the still, still waters,
His goodness restores my soul.

Chorus:
And I will trust in You alone,
And I will trust in You alone,
For Your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home.

He guides my ways in righteousness,
And He anoints my head with oil,
And my cup, it overflows with joy,
I feast on His pure delights.

And though I walk the darkest path,
I will not fear the evil one,
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know.

Stuart Townend Copyright © 1996 Thankyou Music (Adm. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, songs@integritymusic.com)
CCLI #2783020

*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.