OOW 01/01/23

Catechism Thoughts

Repentance is a saving grace, meaning, it is not ‘earned’ or ‘worked up’ in the sinner; a sinner must personally repent, but they have only done so because it is given them by God (2 Timothy 2:25)

Only sinners repent; self-righteous people see no need for it

Repentance consists of a personal realization of one’s sins; repentance feels the weight of them; repentance senses the just wrath of God deserved for them.

Repentance apprehends, or personally receives, the mercy of God given in Christ; do not believe the age-old lie that you must get all of your sins straightened out before you come to Jesus; you come to Jesus because of your sins.

Repentance lasts; it is not a spur-of-the-moment that loses its ‘fizz’ like a coke can left open in the fridge; it can weaken or strengthen, but true repentance lasts a lifetime.

Corporate Prayer

Thanksgiving for the previous year; petition God for continued blessings, mercies, and grace on EBC in 2023

Yarbrough family, especially sister Mary

Ruth Pate and Ruby Thompson

Shep and Pat

Scripture Reading Thoughts

As we come to Psalm 5, we see again the two themes of the Psalter on full display: the ‘seed’ conflict between the righteous and the wicked; and the ‘kingdom’ conflict between Yahweh’s Messiah and satan’s lackeys. Psalm 3 was a morning prayer; Psalm 4 was an evening prayer; and now Psalm 5 is again a morning prayer.

Notice first that David prepares his prayer: verse 3, ‘O Yahweh, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.’ How instructive that is for us! Prepare your meditation every morning to worship Yahweh, and watch.

Notice second that David blows up the myth that ‘God hates the sin but loves the sinner.’ Verse 5: ‘you hate all evildoers; verse 6: ‘Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.’ Our God is not a cup of jello; he has a character! And this should lead us to David’s realization in verse 7: that we can enter Yahweh’s presence only on the basis of his covenant love, and our knees knock with fear as we do so.

Notice third that David prays for God’s judgment to fall upon his enemies. How can this be? Again, we do not serve a ‘soft’ God; and unless Yahweh takes out the wicked, his people cannot obtain the blessings of verses 11-12.

Notice fourth and last that, if you have taken refuge in Yahweh, you are to rejoice, sing, and exult; for he has bestowed his covenant favor upon you; and that only because His Messiah, Jesus, received the covenant curse.