I want to thank you for stopping to take the time to read these worship notes.  Now, think about that: you’re stopping to read this.  What are you stopping?  What have you been doing today that you have, if only for a moment, ceased doing?  Why were you doing it?  What were you trying to accomplish?  Where are you going?

Scripture uses many metaphors for the Christian life.  One of these is the metaphor of a journey, of the people of God going from alienation into the promised land of His presence.  This metaphor was most famously expanded in the classic work by John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress.  Like the character of Christian in that book, we are each together traveling through the spiritual struggles and trials of life circumstance into a glorious new kingdom that Christ is establishing amongst us.

God Himself is with us: Let us now adore Him,

And with awe appear before Him.

God is in His temple, all within keep silence,

Prostrate lie with deepest reverence.

Him alone God we own, Him our God and Savior;

Praise His Name forever.

O Thou fount of blessing, purify my spirit;

Trusting only in Thy merit,

Like the holy angels who behold Thy glory,

May I ceaselessly adore Thee,

And in all, great and small, seek to do most nearly

What Thou lovest dearly.

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore

One of the great passages of guidance God has given to His people is Christ’s Sermon on the Mount.  Particularly, the Beatitutes of Matthew 5:3-12 give an instructive picture of the character that God desires from His people.  Yet this law is not given simply so that we may aspire to do better and fix ourselves, but rather that we may see how broken we really are, and beg God to work in us the likeness of His Son.  Take some time this week and consider these words of our Savior:

     3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
                for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

In this journey, we also have the promise of our Savior’s presence in every step of the way.  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:18,20)  Whatever the circumstance of life, there is no need to fear, for Christ’s perfect love is ever with His people.

1. Jesus, lover of my soul,

Let me to Thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll,

While the tempest still is high.

Hide me, O my Savior, hide,

‘Til life’s storm is past;

Safe into the haven guide;

Receive my soul at last.

2. Other refuge have I none,

I helpless, hang on Thee;

Leave, oh leave me not alone,

Support and comfort me.

All my trust on Thee is stayed,

All help from Thee I bring;

Cover my defenseless head

In the shadow of Thy wing.

3. Thou, O Christ, are all I want,

Here more than all I find;

Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,

Heal the sick, and lead the blind.

Just and holy is Thy Name,

I am all unrighteousness;

False and full of sin I am;

Thou art full of truth and grace.

4. Plenteous grace with Thee is found,

Grace to cover all my sin;

Let the healing streams abound;

Make and keep me pure within.

Thou of life the fountain art,

Let me take of Thee;

Spring Thou up within my heart;

For all eternity.

Our psalm this week fits into this framework.  In Psalm 73, the psalmist Asaph is considering his journey.  I love Asaph’s transparency in his writing.  He is not afraid to write about his confusion and envy in the midst of hardship.  Yet he is also reminded again of God’s goodness, declaring “earth has nothing I desire besides you.”  Tre Smith is going to help us walk through this complex and emotional portion of scripture this week.

In preparation, I hope you will take some time over the next couple of days to consider your own journey: where Christ has led you, where He is leading you, and the state of your heart in the midst of these trials.  It is my prayer that God’s Spirit will visit you in that time, give joyful songs for the victories He has given, comfort for those who are weary, and faith to trust His promise in the future.

Thankful that the Hope of Christ holds each of us with a love that never lets go,

Tim Sharpe

Director of Worship