Notes of Meeting Sunday 5 May 2024

Notes of Meeting – 5^th May 2024

Worship led by Sue Clarke

Our worship today is based around Psalm 27

It’s a reflection on how God protects us and guards us even in the most difficult times of life, and how we can practically seek God out when life is tough for us.

Psalm 27 v1

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? 

This verse is a statement of faith and trust in God. It is often used as a source of comfort and inspiration. David saw that God was the Light of the path that led to salvation. This one verse emphasises that God is our source of strength and protection, and that there is no need to fear anything or anyone else. It is also a reminder to us that God is always with us, even in times of trouble and difficulty.

Psalm 121 v1-8

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going    both now and forevermore.

I lift my eyes up      221

Psalm 27 v2-3

When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me,  my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

David is expressing the fact that he has no reason to fear—but that does not mean he is literally immune to anxiety. Faith, as expressed in the Bible, is trust in the face of uncertainty. David's faith in the Lord as his light, salvation, and stronghold would not lag even if an army laid siege around him.

You are my anchor    1646

Psalm 27 v4

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord  all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 

David's top priority in life was his relationship with the Lord. Although he was in the wilderness seeking refuge from his enemies, David's heart was in the tabernacle seeking the beauty of God. He longed to return to the tabernacle and spend the rest of his life in worship. His heart sought after God reverently and passionately. He wanted to live a God-centred life.

We thought last week about worshipping as we ought- as we were made for.

One thing I ask      440

Psalm 27 v5-6

For in the day of trouble  he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;  I will sing and make music to the Lord.

This tent God wishes to establish over your life is a tent of praise. It is God’s desire to bring you into His very dwelling place.

We need to hold firm with God in the midst of life’s trials and continue to worship Him.

Living under the shadow   346

Psalm 27 v7-10

Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me,  do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. 

David is saying here that God’s love is stronger and more certain than even that of a father or mother, since He will never forsake His children. It reminds us of the intimacy that we share with God.

Faithful One  89

Psalm 27 v11-12

Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path  because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

In the middle of the persecution David is suffering, he asks that God will teach him more about the way he should live.

We have the teachings of Jesus and His example of how we should be living.

Romans 12 v2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Our greatest desire, as Christians, should be to seek God’s presence, and to submit to His guidance.

Lord I come to You     895

Psalm 27 v13-14

 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord  in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord;  be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

David remains confident in God and this gives him patience. Whatever may happen, he knows that he can always depend on God's help.

We have so many scriptures that we can look to, to reinforce our confidence, no matter what is happening in our lives and the world around us.

Psalm 144 v2

He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge. 

One of the first verses Lee used last week was from Hebrews and had already been placed on my mind.

Hebrews 6 v19

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

My hope is built  Cornerstone

Resume of Message by Steven Neal

Steve spoke on the subject of Hannah, based on the account in 1Samuel 1: 1 – 20 and 24 – 28. The following notes are headings only, taken from the power point presentation.

A man named Elkanah had two wives – Peninnah who had 2 children, and Hannah who was childless.

Concentrating on Hannah, we see:

1. Hannah’s distress
   1. 1. Her unfulfilled personal dreams and fading hope
      2. Her dysfunctional family
      3. The social pressures she was under

2. She could have responded by

1. Becoming bitter
2. With hostility towards Peninnah
3. Giving up

3. But she knew God

1. God is real
2. God is the ultimate source of help
3. Nothing is impossible with God

4. So she responded by

1. Humbling herself before God
2. Pouring out her deepest feelings to God
3. Trusting God

5. The outcome was:

1. Joy when she gave birth to a son, Samual
2. Praise to God

LESSONS for us to learn

• The importance of a personal relationship with God
• Bring every problem, however small, to God in prayer
• God can turn distress into joy
• God is truly worthy of our praise.

Notices

The speaker at 10.15am next Sunday will be Ken Cowell.