These are extraordinary times. Though we are unable to gather together for worship this morning due to the precautions surrounding COVID-19, we still have an opportunity to worship at home, and as we each do so, we do so together, united in spirit as we seek God together. Follow through this post, pausing to think about each reading, listening to each song, praying at the appropriate times, and listening to the recorded message, for a personal or family worship time at home.
Call to Worship
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean form an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.“ (Hebrews 10:19-23)
Think about that phrase: he who promised is faithful. How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life? How will you trust Him to be faithful today, and in the future?
We have a sure and strong hope. Not in our own ability to “do,” but in what Christ has done. Not in what we can do to protect ourselves, but secure in Christ’s care. Not in being able to save ourselves from catastrophe or COVID-19, but saved from sin and to eternal life by Christ.
We have confidence to draw near to the God of all power
For our hope in this world and in this day and in this week.
We confess Christ as our hope, and He is faithful.
Opening Prayer
Father God,
You are the faithful one.
You never leave or forsake us,
And Your mercies are new every morning.
If You have given Christ to die for us,
We can be sure You will provide for our every need,
And we trust You to bring us safely home.
Help us to keep our eyes on You
The unchanging, wholly trustworthy One,
In these changing, unknown days.
You are worthy of all our praise.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Worship in Song
As we see all that is going on around us, we fix our eyes on Christ, the foundation of our hope:
Turn your eyes to the morning
And see Christ the Lion awake
What a glorious dawn, fear of death is gone
For we carry His life in our veins
Listen to “Turn Your Eyes”
Psalm 42:1-5:
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
May we wait patiently for the Lord,
Seeing Him as our great and only hope,
Trusting Him to make us secure each day,
And trust in Him.
Listen to “The Solid Rock” as we remember that:
When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
Pray
Take your Bible and read Psalm 102. Click here to read Psalm 102
Many of the Psalms are laments, with the Psalmist bringing before God his plight, his plea for help, his need, and asking God to help, trusting and resting in God’s faithful love. Psalm 102 is one such Psalm. Lament is important for us, because it directs our need to the faithfully loving God who can do something about it.
Following the structure of Psalm 102, write and pray your own lament:
Calling for God to hear
“Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily fin the day when I call!” (v. 1-2)
Begin by praying, “Lord, hear! I need you!”
Laying out your complaint
"My heart is struck down…
My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.” (v. 3, 11)
Where do you see need? What struggle do you face? What do you struggle to understand? What is not right in your world or the world at large that is not right?
Seeing God and His character
“But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations.” (v. 12)
Who is God? What does Scripture say His is?
Prayer for Help
“You will arise and have compassion on Zion…“ (v. 13)
How do you need God’s help? Where do we need His compassion?
Confidence in God
“He regards the prayer of the destitute
and does not despise their prayer.
you are the same, and your years have no end.
The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
their offspring shall be established before you. (v. 17, 27-28)
Because of who God is, what He has done, what He does, what He has promised, thank Him for the hope and confidence we have in Him.
Pray:
Lord, You hear our prayer, and you do not despise it. You are the eternal God, King on Your throne, reigning over this whole universe, and you are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We thank You for our salvation through Christ and that we are held fast in Your strong and sure care. In this ever-changing world, we trust that we do dwell secure because we belong to You.
We bring to you the concerns of our day and on our hearts
(Take this time now to pray silently or together as a family for any need and concern you may have.)
Thank You for all the promises in Your word that You are with us, You care for us, You love us so. Help us hold fast to the hope we have in You.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
As we look to Him, we rest assured that He will watch over us, keep us, love us faithfully, and hold us fast. With this hope, we have great peace. Listen to “He Will Hold Me Fast” as you remember that.
When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold - He must hold me fast
Message
Open your Bible to Psalm 103 and read it slowly, thinking about what it says.
Questions for Thought
-How has God been good to you?
-Which of the “Benefits” that David lists especially resonates with you?
-Because God is still King and in control, how does that give you peace?
Listen to “10,000 Reasons” and reflect on God’s goodness and love, even in hard circumstances.
Benediction
Jude 24-25
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Giving
You can give by e-transfer at kingsborobaptist [at] gmail.com. As well, you can mail or drop off offerings at Kingsboro Baptist Church, 3055 East Point Road, Kingsboro, PE, C0A 2B0.