Preparing For The Lord's Day

preparing

Preparing for the Lord's Day

How are you to rest when you are on the run? Our Psalm for this Sunday, Psalm 3, tells us that it was written by King David while he was on the run from the rebellion of his son Absalom. Yet in this Psalm where David is on the run, we also read in verse 5, “I lay down and slept…” If you read the history of this rebellion you will see that Absalom conspired against his father, gathered key supporters, and then without warning proclaimed himself king. David had to flee immediately to avoid being killed. While he is fleeing a man comes out and hurls dirt, rocks, and insults at David, essentially saying, “David you deserve all this evil that is coming upon you.”

I don’t believe that I would have been able to sleep in such a situation. Everything that David held dear was being taken from him. His family, his throne, even his life. Yet, again we are reminded that David slept while on the run. But how? What we will see in Psalm 3 is that if we too would find rest in the midst of life’s hardships, we must trust the Lord as a shield to protect us, as a sustainer to preserve us, and as an avenger to bring justice to all those who have wronged us. To be prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Psalm 3, Numbers 16:19, 2 Samuel 16, Psalm 127:2, Isaiah 43:1-3, Matthew 8:24-26, and Romans 12:17-19.

As we gather in our homes to worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “From All that Dwell Bellow the Skies, the Acclamation of Praise “Before the Throne of God Above” and the Hymn of Response “Be Thou My Vision.” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him! 

Sermon Information

Text: Psalm 3

Title: Rest on the Run 

Outline: 

  1. To Rest on the Run, You Must Trust the Lord as Your Shield (vv. 3-4)

  2. To Rest on the Run, You Must Trust the Lord as Your Sustainer (vv. 5-6)

  3. To Rest on the Run, You Must Trust the Lord as Your Avenger (vv. 7-8a) 

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES (for your ongoing prayers and expressions of love)

RECUPERATING:  Kay Albee, Greg Alty, Sophia Boyers, Paul Cowras, Marty Halgren, Andrew Shaddock, Pres Terrell, and Ryan Webb

 

PRAYING FOR OUR COMMUNITY, NATION, AND MISSIONARIES: Let us remain in steadfast prayer for Christ's Church and our witness during this remarkable time of challenge and opportunity. May we support in fervent prayer and faithful love our community, medical laborers, and government leaders worldwide. May we pray for God's direction and strength for our global and local missionaries, including the staff of Campus Outreach, as they persevere in ministry (follow the links in this sentence to pray for our missionaries by name).