Returning to Worship Information

Menu

Join us for worship services Sundays at 9:30am

The Pilgrim Path (6-06-2020)

The Pilgrim Path---Psalm 19: 7-10

"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb."

When I was in the first grade, they announced that the President had been shot in Dallas, Texas. School was dismissed. I was to learn the meaning of the word, "assassination". A few years later, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ---would be killed in Memphis. About two months after that---Robert F. Kennedy-- killed. Throw into this horrid mix-- the disturbing specter of riots, police brutality, race hatred---and then-- the Vietnam War. Wow...Well, I am a soul that tends to watch the news (in spurts, anyway). If you know Judy Woodruff, on the PBS NEWSHOUR, I grew up "watching" her on an NBC news affiliate out of Atlanta, Georgia. It's like "old home week," whenever I see her on TV (and she is quite objective---she gives the facts---and lets "me" decide what I should think about them). Well---back to the news: I watched it growing up. It was virtually "all" Vietnam, and it was not pretty. Years later, it turns out that our government was late reporting dead and wounded numbers (of our own), and inflating the numbers of the dead and wounded of enemy combatants (Politics). Every generation has tough tales to tell. Yet, some sinful patterns seem to re-emerge with a vengeance. We seek the Lord's face and attempt to apply His truth in every way we possibly can---in every sphere of influence where the LORD has placed us. Ask the LORD to use you as a Gospel agent where He has placed you.

To me, a beautiful picture that appeared in several of the large city protests this past week---was this one: Police and Protestors kneeling together---or marching together for a distance. Both knowing that things must change and hopefully---working together they actually will---"with Liberty and Justice for ALL."

Here is something quite BIG culturally: the Commissioner Of the National Football League, Roger Goodell came out and said: "We, the NFL---admit we were wrong---we believe black lives matter." That is amazingly huge in this current climate---amazingly huge...

So what holds Us in the midst of all this? What keeps us sane? What keeps us "together" so we don't lose it? What keeps us---so, as they say on the street, "We don't go off on people?" Why, it is The Holy Word of God. Go back over those glorious texts at the top from Psalm 19. The Word is God's instruction (Torah)---His statues, His orders, His guidance, His path, His decrees, His life, His hope, His Peace! We do not have to make anything up. We only play the role of a "fool" when we reject His paths and walk contrary to what He has revealed. He has taught us to, "love your neighbor as yourself." God's Word is truly the Lamp for our feet. The Question is: Do we believe it? Do not "cherry pick" the Bible --as Patrick Morley says---you know---only take out the parts you like---and then leave the rest. When you do this--- as Augustine says, "The Bible is not your authority---You-- are your authority,"

From Tim Keller: "Since the Hebrew word for soul in verse 7---means one's psyche or self, the Bible has the power to show and restore your true identity. For the Bible to do this, you must accept that it is perfectly true and trustworthy in all its parts (verses 7--9). Then don't just study it but let it search you (verses 11-14). Finally, ask Jesus, the Word made flesh, to give you his Spirit in order to find him in the written Word. The result will be wisdom, joy, and sweetness."

"What a blessing that in a world of uncertainties we have something sure to rest upon! We hasten from the quick-sands of human speculation to the terra firma of Divine Revelation." Charles Haddon Spurgeon

"His well done is worth a ship full of good days and earthly honors." Samuel Rutherford.

Lamp of our feet, whereby we trace

Our path when wont to stray,

Stream from the fount of heavenly grace,

Brook by the traveler's way.

Bread of our souls, whereon we feed,

True manna from on high,

Our guide and chart, wherein we read

Of realms beyond the sky.

Lord, grant us all aright to learn

The wisdom it imparts,

And to its heavenly teaching turn,

With simple, childlike hearts.

Grace & Peace in Jesus Christ Our LORD, Pastor Jason