April 12, 2024
This Sunday evening we begin a new series through selected passages from the book of Isaiah. The Old Testament prophets can be difficult to read for a variety of reasons, and Isaiah's 66 chapters can be particularly daunting. Yet the reader who perseveres will be rewarded. We will be looking at some of the noteworthy texts from this "major" prophet (so called because the impact of his ministry and writings was sizeable, as opposed to the "minor" prophets whose works and/or ministries were on a smaller scale) - texts that I want you to know so that you can return to them in your time of need. Among the passages we'll be look at are 6:1-13 (Isaiah's call to ministry), 12:1-6 (a song of salvation and strength in the Lord), and 44:6-23 (a satire on idolatry). If you've never read the book of Isaiah, this is a great time to do so. We'll be in it through the month of July, so if you read half a chapter a day, you'll read nearly the entire book by the time we finish preaching these foundational passages.
If you haven't been coming to evening worship in a while, now is a great time to start a new habit for the summer!
----------
One of the verses that many of you have memorized is Philippians 4:6 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Benjamin Morgan Palmer was a pastor in New Orleans in the 19th century, and his sermon "The Antidote of Care" is a convicting and encouraging study of this passage. In it he reminds us that prayer is the remedy that God has provided when we are tempted to fretting and worry. How does prayer dissolve our anxieties? He gives six reasons:
In prayer we cure brought to an habitual and practical sense of the supreme will of a personal God. By drawing near to the sovereign God who loves us, we are enabled to see that He had ordained all that we walk through for our good, and can cast all our cares upon Him in submission and patience, knowing that He cares for us.
Prayer leads to the contemplation of God in his Covenant relations to us, which will soften the lot otherwise rugged and difficult. Prayer in the name of Jesus Christ by the help of the Holy Spirit to a Father who loves us assures us of the triune God's commitment to be our God and to take us as His people. This assurance strengthens us through every difficulty.
Prayer compels us to take an inventory of our mercies, and to balance, these against our trials. Petition must be accompanied by thanksgiving, and as we see all that God has done for us, despite our sinful unbelief, our hearts are led to a contentment that comes only from God.
Prayer imparts a tone to the spirit, girding it for the hour of trial. Communing with our holy Father strengthens and equips us for the battles of faith through which we walk day by day.
Prayer has the effect of bringing us to a distinct issue with ourselves in relation to our cares. By this Palmer means that in prayer we are brought to see that all of our cares are a part of the callings God has granted to us, and so He grants us grace to stand firm in them as a part of His lot for us.
In prayer we apprehend the nearness of Heaven, which is a motive to submission and patience. As we draw near to the Lord, we are reminded that our eternity with Him free from all suffering is soon approaching, and we are encouraged to persevere through trial with the peace of God keeping our hearts and minds in Christ.
May the Lord God grant us grace not to be anxious about anything, but to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving!
A note on morning worship, from Margaret Sprow:
This Sunday Caleb will be preaching on Romans 13:1-7, a passage that focuses on submission to governing authorities. We'll be singing Great King of Nations, Hear Our Prayer to the St. Anne hymn tune which is familiar to us as the tune for Our God, Our Help in Ages Past. The words express submission and humility before God by whom all governments exist, confession and repentance of our national sins, and a plea for God's mercy on our land. May we make this our fervent prayer.
Great King of nations, hear our prayer, while at your feet we fall,
and humbly, with united cry, to you for mercy call.
The guilt is ours, but grace is yours, O turn us not away;
but hear us from your lofty throne, and help us when we pray.
Our fathers' sins were manifold, and ours no less we own,
yet wondrously from age to age your goodness has been shown.
When dangers, like a stormy sea, beset our country round,
to you we looked, to you we cried, and help in you was found.
With one consent we meekly bow beneath your chast'ning hand,
and pouring forth confession meet, mourn with our mourning land.
With pitying eye behold our need, as thus we lift our prayer;
correct us with your judgments, Lord, then let your mercy spare.