Category: Prayer Meeting

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Hymns: RHC 335 Keep On Believing, 337 Never Give Up, 306 Pass Me Not

PSALM 63

1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou artmy God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so asI have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3 Because thy lovingkindness isbetter than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as withmarrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise theewith joyful lips: 6 When I remember thee upon my bed, andmeditate on thee in the nightwatches. 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. 8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 9 But those thatseek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. Psalm 63:1-11 (KJV)

PURSUING GOD

OUTLINE

(1) Seeking God Early (v1)

(2) Seeking His Presence (v2-4)

(3) Strengthened (v5-7)

(4) Determination and Resolve (v8)

(5) The righteous is not forsaken but vindicated (v9-11)

INTRODUCTION

David was trained in the pursuit of godliness by the providence of God in the wilderness. He was a fugitive, living in constant threat to his life. It was there in the wilderness that he was taught the lesson of spiritual discipline to be constantly in touch with his God. He wrote many psalms recounting his spiritual encounters with God. David learned how to deal with his emotions, his depression and his weariness in the wilderness.

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Hymns: RHC 339 When I Fear My Faith Will Fail, 348 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, 351 He Leadeth Me

PSALM 147

1 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. 2 The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. 6 The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. 7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: 8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. 9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. 10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. 12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. 13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee. 14 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. 15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. 16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. 17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? 18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. 19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 147:1-20 (KJV)

EXTOLLING OUR ALL-CARING GOD

OUTLINE

His Redemptive Care (v1-6)
His Provisional and Protective Care (v7-14)
His Instructive Care (v15-20)

INTRODUCTION

It is observed, “The God of Israel is set forth in His peculiarity of glory as caring for the sorrowing, the insignificant and forgotten.” (CH Spurgeon) This is the singularly gracious God that the psalmist praises, to impress upon our hearts to extol and glorify.

God’s people, Israel, were wayward. They went after idols. God had to deal with them after their sins. Even after repeated warnings by God’s prophets to awaken them from their spiritual adultery, they were unrepentant. The Babylonians were sent to destroy Jerusalem. God’s people were exiled from the Promised Land for 70 years. It was a time of great sorrow. God brought them back to the land through the decree of Cyrus, the king of Persia.

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Hymns: RHC 65 And Can It Be That I Should Gain? 70 Jesus, I Am Resting 360 My God, Is Any Hour So Sweet

Psalm 136

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. 7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. 10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. 16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: 21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. 23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1-26 (KJV)

THE LORD’S MERCY

DOTH ENDURE FOREVER

(1) Our Cause for Thanksgiving (v1-3)

(a) His enduring goodness (v1)

(b) His unsurpassable dominion overall (v2-3)

(2) Our Comfort in Trials (v4-24)

(a) His Creative Wisdom benefits His people (v4-9)

(b) His Continual Care strengthens His people (v10-25)

(i) In the Exodus (v10-15)

(ii) In the Wilderness (v16-20)

(iii) In the Promised Land (v21-22)

(c) Realizing our utter helplessness (v23)

(d) Realizing His willingness to save us (v24)

(3) Our Confidence to Trust Him all the way (v25)

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Hymns: RHC 136 Come Ye Thankful People, 183 Jesus Paid It All, 43 God Is Still On the Throne

Psalm 93

1 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

Psalm 93:1-5 (KJV)

THE LORD IS STILL ON THE THRONE

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Looking Unto Jesus (1)

(The Author and Finisher of Our Faith)

OUTLINE

(1) Free Ourselves from Encumbering Sin

(2) Patiently Run the Race

(3) Look Forward to the Joy of the Prize

(4) Endure the Hardship

(5) Despise the Shame

INTRODUCTION

Our study of the life of men of faith finds its climax in Jesus Christ. He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. By Him, we obtain faith and by Him these men finished the course of their lives in faith. He is our example par excellence. And this truth is spoken in Hebrew 12:12.

Carl McIntire observed well, “Hebrews, the eleventh chapter, is deprived of its glory and its meaning without the first two verses of the twelfth chaper…One may talk about faith, and present an abundance of illustrations, even a cloud of witnesses, but unless we have some knowledge as to where faith comes from we are in a blind alley. Is faith the product of man’s creation? Is it the result of some emotional state? Is it the consequence of logical conclusions? Who is to be praised for the glories of faith? These questions rise up and clamour for an answer. These is an answer! The Bible says Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of faith…The writer of Hebrws regards himself and his fellow sufferers as place in an arena, contending for a great prize. The image of the amphitheater with the rising rows of spectators seems to suggest the thought of an encircling cloud. The witnesses are those who have run the race in previous generations. Each has received a good report in victorious achievements or courageous suffering. Faith has been their stay. The apostle depicts the Christian as running a race, a course which has been laid out for him, not not by himself but by God…The central figure, however, in this amphitheater is not the one running. The writer would have us look ahead to the author and finisher of faith, Jesus Christ.”[1]

The Apostle Paul speaks of the reward for winning the race and urges us to press on!

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Hymns: 542 Saved by Grace, 445 O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee, 411 Stand Up for Jesus

Hebrews 11:35b-40 (KJV)

KJV Hebrews 11:35b … and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Heb. 11:35b-40 KJV)

The Others’ Faith

OUTLINE

(1) Suffered Without Recourse

(2) Suffered Without a Better Promise

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Hymns: 320 – ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, 335 Keep On Believing, 339 When I Fear My Faith Will Fail

Hebrews 11:32-35 (KJV)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell … of the prophets 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again:

The Prophets’ Faith (2)

OUTLINE

(1) Experience God’s Mighty Deliverance

INTRODUCTION

The writer of Hebrews sought to inspire his readers to understand the substance of faith through the trials of faithful men in the past by showing us their actions of faith.

We notice these trials were life-threatening. Exercising faith involves entrusting and surrendering our lives to God’s care even in the sight of imminent physical danger. Faith overcomes even men’s greatest fears, of pain, suffering to the point of death.

How is it possible to be still and not fret in the face of mortal danger? This is the substance of faith that the writer is drawing us to take hold of for our own lives, in our times.

Jesus gives words of comfort and encouragement to the persecuted in Matthew 5:10-12, “10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:10-12 KJV)

Heavenly reward seemed so distant from the suffering saint, yet this is the substance of faith that God has us to take hold. The resurrection of Jesus Christ provides us with the substance of faith to have strong hope in the face even of the prospect of death.

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Hymns: 418 O Jesus, I Have Promised, 337 Never Give Up, 284 Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Hebrews 11:32g (KJV)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of prophets …

The Prophets’ Faith

OUTLINE

(1) Courage to Stand and Speak for God’s Honour

INTRODUCTION

God raised prophets, in the Old Testament time, to be His voice to His people, Israel, and to the world at large, as a witness to the words and works of the living and true God for His honour and glory. The prophets raised by God declared the will of God to His people so that they may be instructed to know the perfect will of God. Some were writing prophets like Moses (Pentateuch), Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the minor prophets. And there are the 12 minor prophets. These are the writing prophets, there were the non-writing prophets like Gad (with David in the wilderness and rebuked David when he numbered the people, Nathan (David’s advisor and chastised David for adultery with Beersheba), Elijah, Elisha.

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Hymns: 324 Simply Trusting, 205 Thine Is the Glory, 446 Lord Speak to Me

Hebrews 11:32f (KJV)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Samuel …

Samuel’s Faith

OUTLINE

Courage to Speak According to God’s Word

INTRODUCTION

Israel was ruled by her patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob before the period of 400 years of prophetic silence during the time of the Exodus when God raised Moses, Israel’s leader, the prophet of Israel, where Israel was a theocracy, God rules! Samuel was the last of the prophet from Moses to Samuel who bear rule in Israel before the people demanded a king, , before princes would rule Israel through her first king Saul, finally Israel will be ruled by priest after her exile from Babylon, from Joshua, the high priest during the time of Zerubabbel, to Caiphaias, during the time of Christ.

Samuel was born during the time when Eli was the high priest in Israel. However, Eli’s sons were no godly.

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Hymns: Pg. 42 Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord, Pg 43 Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, P17 God Is Always Near Me

Hebrews 11:32e (KJV)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of David …

David’s Faith

OUTLINE

(1) Courageous – Overcomes Fear to Do the Will of God

INTRODUCTION

David was a man who sought to do the will of God for His honour and glory leaving a legacy for his son Solomon as a man of faith who prepared the nation and resource to build a house for the worship of the living and true God.

We pick up this scene at dedication of the first Temple in Jerusalem in 1 Kings 8:10-11, 12-21[1].

1 Kings 8:10-11 (KJV) 10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

20And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 21 And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

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