Charles Spurgeon calls Psalm 131 ‘one of the shortest psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn. It speaks of a young child, but it contains the experience of a man in Christ.’ He says it’s ‘a short ladder yet one that rises to a great height.’

Psalm 131 is a song of David, who was elevated as king of Israel, yet one who knew humility.

This was quite a statement in the ancient world where humility was not counted among the list of virtues. The ancient world admired self-reliance.

Things haven’t changed much; our modern culture also downplays humility. We’re in an age where might makes right, where power and control are most highly regarded. The key virtues of our age as it was then are self-sufficiency, self-importance, self-righteousness and self-indulgence.

But these cannot grow in the air of humility.

Humility shows itself in a quiet confidence before God – just like a weaned child resting against the breast of its mother (v.2).

Anselm in the 11th Century penned this prayer: “I do not seek, O Lord, to penetrate Thy depths. I by no means think my intellect equal to them; but I long to understand in some degree Thy truth, which my heart believes and loves. For I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe, that I may understand.” This is the mature expression of a seasoned saint.

Humility shows itself in a quiet confidence in God – “hope in the Lord” (v.3).

A missionary to Africa had this to say about trust: ‘I can show you the graves of missionaries who died what we would call premature deaths. If my trust were in God’s protection, my trust would have crumbled long ago. My trust is in God, in the belief that He is in control and that whatever happens will happen for His glory.’

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

Billy Graham described forgiveness as ‘the most glorious word in the English language’. Al Martin asks, ‘When is your life more fragrant than when the kiss of forgiveness is most fresh upon your cheek?’

But what is forgiveness?

This Friday evening through Saturday Orthodox Jews around the world celebrate Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement.

In Leviticus 16 we read on that day once a year blood was taken in to the holiest place and the High Priest would then come out and pronounce the great benediction. This also involved 2 goats. One was slain, and the High Priest would take that blood along with other blood and poured it on and before the Ark of the Covenant to ask God to pardon the sins of the people. Then the High Priest would place his hands on the other goat and confess the sins of the people upon it, then that goat would be walked out of the temple, city and into the wilderness and it would be released, and with the sins of the people confessed as it were over it would be carried away into some dark wilderness place where those sins would be carried away forevermore – symbolising that your sins would never ever be seen again.

Forgiveness means to wipe out or do away with or blot out the guilt of wrong doing, so that it no longer stands between a person and God before whom he is guilty – never to be seen again. God who cannot ignore sin does this by the payment of the penalty of sin by a substitute. That substitute is Jesus who is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 cf 1 John 1:9-2:2).

The sacraments of Baptism and Lord’s Supper point to forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ (Acts 22:16; Matt 26:28), and call us to seriously examine ourselves whether we have been straying through unbelief and carelessness from the ways of the Lord into sin, and graciously reminds us of the promises of forgiveness and recall us to fresh obedience.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph 1:7).

Rev Charles Drew is pastor of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in New York City. The morning after the 9/11 terrorist attack he sent a note to the church family, a portion of which follows:

I want to say something about trust and hate. First, think about trust. Psalm 46 reads, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea….Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts…. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations …”

God does not change, and He is good. The greatest testimony to this is not what we tend to look to — the stability or ease of our present circumstances. It is rather the promise He kept at the cross to rescue us from sin and death. Some of our number are still unaccounted for. We have the hope with respect to them that not even the worst-case scenario is a match for God’s provision in Christ. We know that in the end God will wipe every tear from our eyes and make all things new. We know that our God will, in the end, bring every secret to light and right every wrong. Remember and preach these things to your-self. Take time to be still and know that He is God.

Now think about hate. Psalm 97:10 reads, “Let those who love the Lord hate evil.” We err if we think that to trust God is to be passive in the face of what has happened. Not only may we hate it, we must. The question, of course, is how. We must resist the terrorist tendency of our own hearts — the desire for quick and indiscriminate retaliation. God alone has the right to judge, for He alone is righteous and He alone sees all. So what, positively, do we do? We channel our deep hatred into deep works of love, understanding that the weapons we wield are spiritual and have great power.

Reflecting on this 10 years later he noted:

Life is full of 9/11s — events that are too big for us: a child dies; you lose your job; the bank forecloses on your house; you lose your savings; the person you intend to marry breaks the engagement. The way forward in such times is not to collapse in a heap. It is to do whatever the obedient thing is within your reach, however small…. They are the way, in the midst of crisis, that we tell ourselves and others that God does not change and that He loves us.

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;” (1 Thess 4:1)

It is a familiar truth that every Christian’s overriding purpose must be to glorify God. Everything we say and do, our relationships with others, the use we make of the gifts and opportunities God gives us, and even our enduring of adverse situations and human hostility, must be managed so as to give God honour and praise for His wisdom and goodness (1 Cor. 10:31; cf. Matt. 5:16; Eph. 3:10; Col. 3:17).

Equally important is the truth that every Christian has a personal calling to please God. Jesus did not live to please Himself, nor may we (John 8:29; Rom. 15:1–3). Faith (Heb. 11:5, 6), praise (Ps. 69:30, 31), generosity (Phil. 4:18; Heb. 13:16), obedience to divinely instituted authority (Col. 3:20), and single-mindedness in Christian service (2 Tim. 2:4), are all ways of pleasing our Creator. God enables us to live according to the Bible and takes pleasure in us as we serve Him. In His sovereign grace He gives what He commands and delights in the result (Heb. 13:21; cf. Phil. 2:12, 13).

We please God through our relationship with Him. Abraham was called God’s friend (2 Chr. 20:7; Is. 41:8; James 2:23), and Christ called His disciples His friends (Luke 12:4; John 15:14). Under divine inspiration, Paul compares the church to the Bride of Christ (Eph. 5:32; cf. Rev. 21:2). Like friends and family members, God and His people have pleasure in each other

We also please God through imitating His deeds. His love in us is living and active, compelling His people to use their talents and energies in all kinds of activities. But Christians are especially called to works of mercy, because God is merciful (Deut. 10:17–19; Luke 6:35, 36).

(selected from the notes in The Reformation Study Bible)

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)    

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Phil 4:8)

Many of you will have heard of the recent death of the Christian author John Stott. Perhaps you have read some of his many books. He has written many helpful commentaries, books on ethics, and many helpful essays on various topics. There is no doubt that much of his writings have been and will continue to serve as a great help to Christians seeking to understand God’s Word.

But perhaps there is one book you are not familiar with, because at first glance it does not seem to be a book on theology, biblical interpretation or life application. It is a bird about bird-watching.

John Stott was an avid bird-watcher. But this is nonetheless a bird-book with a difference. This book about what he’s learned from birds about the Christian life. In it he describes what he’s learned about the Christian life in the Bible but which he has seen illustrated in the life of birds.

In the introduction to the book, he whimsically calls it “ornitheology”—not ornithology (or, the study of birds). By calling it ornitheology he is speaking of ‘learning about God from the study of birds’.

What’s he doing? He’s doing exactly what Paul is commending in Phil 4:8 – focusing his mind on that which is true and lovely, and commendable and honourable – not only in God’s Word, but everywhere. This is what we need to do in every area of life.

The young person faced with the tendency to think of themselves in terms of how others might see them (Am I prettier? Am I dressed well enough, better? Am I more popular?) begins to ask ‘What do I want my heavenly Father to see?’ and then meditates on what is true and noble, just and pure, lovely… praiseworthy.

A businessman in dealing with humanity often at its most unpleasant face of greed – how does he avoid its corrosive influence on his life as it wears and wearies his soul, and how he deals with people? How do you battle that unless you settle your affections on the things that really matter, what is true and honourable, and just and pure, and lovely … praiseworthy?

God calls us to the cultivation of godly desires and affections by pointing our desires to that which is true and right and good. In so doing you will desire and enjoy something far better than what was being offered to you from the world and sinful nature.

Living for God isn’t like walking on a tightrope without a safety net, while a breathless crowd sits below just waiting for you to fall!

In Psalm 125 David is emphasizing the safety of being right with God, despite what might be happening in your life or what others might be trying to make you do with your life!

But in the light of that he also emphasises the faithfulness of the people of God. In fact it is a distinguishing reality of the true believer, that they will remain faithful, being encouraged by the reality of God’s active presence and God’s timely interventions in our defence, as He fulfils His purpose of doing good to His people.  They are faithful, even under pressure, because they know God and trust God.

Those who trust in the LORD re like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever. (Psa 125:1-2)

This Psalm asks us, What do you trust in? But it also asks, What difference does that make to your life? When is it not a good time to be asking ourselves those questions?

John Maxwell tells about a small town in Maine, USA that was proposed for the site of a great hydro-electric plant. A dam would be built across the river and the town submerged.

When the project was announced, the people were given many months to arrange their affairs and relocate.

During those months, a curious thing happened. All improvements ceased. No painting was done. No repairs were made on the buildings, roads, or sidewalks. Day by day the whole town got shabbier and shabbier. A long time before the waters came, the town looked uncared for and abandoned, even though the people had not yet moved away.

One citizen explained: “Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.” That town was cursed with hopelessness because it had no future.

But believers remain faithful in following Christ knowing that they have a future, a future secured by God, declared in His Word. Faith is the defining characteristic of the people of God. The object of our trust is who makes all the difference.

In Psalm 46:5 we read, “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.”

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12)

Rocks in your head? Isn’t that a derogatory statement, a form of ridicule to indicate that someone is crazy?

Yet here is Samuel setting up a big solitary stone in the ground that would serve as a constant reminder to the people of Israel of a great victory God had given them over a treacherous enemy that vastly outnumbered them. An enemy which had caught them at a most vulnerable moment – they were not standing ready for war, but were engaged around the altar in worship, offering sacrifices of repentance.

He called that rock ‘Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us”’, a name which testified to the Lord’s presence with them all the way ‘to this place,’ or ‘to this hour.’ Though previously the faith of the people had been found lacking as they resorted to presumption in taking the ark into battle against the Philistines and suffered great defeat (chapter 4), now as they repented and looked to Him with faith in the overwhelming danger they saw His victory.

Throughout the generations the lesson this stone declared was clear

Even when they weren’t physically passing the stone Ebenezer its reality was implanted in their memory to serve as a daily reminder, a touchstone of grace calling them to trust in God’s presence and grace.

Rocks in your head? Yes, in effect that is what believers are to have, and that without being crazy. Far from it! In Psalm 124 the call goes out, a cry from the priests in Jerusalem and the echo of which is heard by the pilgrim as they travel to Jerusalem, “Let Israel now say…”

As Israel looked back over their nation’s history, as individual believers looked over their personal history, they would and should see the many evidences of God’s gracious help and victory, that He was alongside them on the way. Every year as they gathered did they not have more accounts to declare? An ever expanding exaltation of praise to lift up? A renewed cause to speak to themselves and one another in admonition to trust in God?

As we gather Sunday after Sunday, do not we?  Are you setting up rocks in your head? Are you engaging in an every expanding exaltation of praise, thanksgiving to God and of admonition to self and others?

“Remember my chains” (Col 4:18)

Paul in writing to the Colossians in a prayer request marked by its own brevity and simplicity actually highlights the deep anguish of a believer’s heart under the hand of persecution.

He does not rebel against it but lets us know that he feels it. It is not a light or easy thing. He does not diminish the realities of suffering whether emotional or physical. Surely in this we can also relate, knowing to some degree the reality of physical pain and hardship from time to time.

On so doing Paul indicates that he needs the support, not simply of God’s people, but of the Lord Himself. By asking them to join him at the throne of grace Paul is not simply asking for their encouragement, but for the Lord’s mercy. That is the believer’s priority as well as need.

As the same time Paul is drawing their attention away from himself to the Lord. That is ever the way of those who know the mercy of the Lord. Is is not about Paul, or any believer, but the Lord. He is looking to the Lord, and calling us to also.

How then do we pray for our persecuted brethren?

• That they may look beyond the immediate reality of suffering, lifting their eyes unto the Lord, as in Psalm 123:2
• That they might know the Lord’s gracious mercy, whether in intervention leading to deliverance, or intervention of sustaining and supporting grace (Psalm 123: 3,4; Matt 5: 10-12)
• That they are not being called upon to endure anything that is unique to them – but shared among the brethren in various ways and across time (1 Cor 10:13)
• That they might be sure that they did not deserve the suffering but that being faithful to Christ brought it. (1 Peter 2:20-21; 3:13ff)
• That they may know the joy of the “Blessedness” which Jesus pronounced, including of their reward in heaven (Matt 5: 10-12)
• But also that they might lift their eyes above their circumstances to the Lord’s glory, and be enabled to use even such a time for His glory (1 Cor 10:31)

“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them – those who are mistreated – since you yourselves are in the body also” (Hebrews 13:3)

As he came from his mother’s womb, naked  shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labour which he may carry away in his hand. (Ecclesiastes 5:15)

While the ‘Preacher’ is speaking of the vanity of living to amass wealth, possessions and property, the principle can be applied to other areas of life too. The simple reality is that we cannot take them with us when we die.

It therefore asks what you have lived for? What fruit did your existence produce? How are you going to spend your remaining days?

Christians have a different view of life a view that operates on the basis of faith. they see that these things have a place for our life and enjoyment in this world, and we believe that God has given them to us to use for His glory. They understand a different controlling call in life: “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys…” ( Matthew 6:20)

Unlike the person in Ecclesiastes 5:15 Christians take a fruit and profit of the labour of their soul with them. It is safely deposited and stored with and by their Father who is in heaven.

Indeed, it suggests to we who are believers the need to regularly undergo a reality check to our lives. Is our life fulfilling its purpose?

Have we progressed in our spiritual lives, making good use of the means of grace God has given us? All the Bible texts we have read, sermons we have heard, fellowship and worship we have enjoyed, Lord’s Suppers we have partaken of … can we look back on our lives with thankfulness and joy to see that we have matured spiritually in Christ, that we are now stronger in resisting sin, repressing selfishness, and to deny self and not our God?

What have you become? But also, What have you done?

What moral influence have we shown, what influence for good? Is your family and society the better because of your faith and life in Jesus Christ? What works in the name of Christ have you done – of compassion, and especially of the gospel and the Kingdom? Has your vocation and calling been the scene of serving Christ in this world?

In Revelation 14:13 the Spirit says of saints who die in the Lord, “their works follow them”. What blessed truth! Hae we so lived and so worked that this will be said of us? Or has your time and energies in the world as well as in the church and Christian company been fritted away?

‘My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, and my soul  which You have redeemed.’ (Psalm 71:23)

Problems cloud our vision and prevent praise, It is said that on one occasion, the Cleveland Orchestra were playing the overture to The Magic Flute by Mozart when the house lights went out due to a power-failure. The orchestra kept playing and managed to reach the end - perfectly, or so the audience felt as they gave generous applause. Sometime in out relationship with God it feels as thought the lights have gone out (Isaiah 50:10). We should know God so well that we are able to sing His praise in the dark!

Every time you are tempted yo wonder as to the goodness of God, think of the cross. Where was the light when Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ ( Matthew 27:46). There was darkness all around, as the context makes clear,but far greater was the darkness within His own soul. You must admit, the idea that God’s Son should be abandoned in this way is astonishing. Think of the nakedness, the terrible pain, the spit of the soldiers in His face, the smell of sweat and blood and the mocking crowd. The storm grew and the crowds thinned, and Jesus was heard to cry to His Father. And heaven was silent!

Heaven accused Jesus of lust and lying … covetousness and crime … greed and godlessness! It is not that Jesus was guilty of any of these things – He was sinless ( Matthew 27:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:19). but heaven accused Him in our place: ‘For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Where was God’s love in all this? It was there all along. God punished every one of our sins to the full that day so that He might never have to do so again. He punished His Son, so that we might never have to suffer. That’s how much He loved us. If that doesn’t make you want to stand up and sing God’s praise, nothing will!

- Derek Thomas, ‘Help for Hurting Christians – Reflections on the Psalms’, pg. 95