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4/1/26 - The 1st Lord's Day of 2026
Jan. 5th, 2026 12:40 pmPsalm 80b:
"1 Hear, O hear us, Isr’el’s Shepherd,
Who drives forth Joseph like a flock.
From the cherubim, O shine forth;
Rise in valor that we be saved.
2 So arise in sight of Ephraim,
And Manasseh and Benjamin.
3 God, we pray, O turn us, bring us back;
Shine Your face on us, we’ll be saved!
4 O how long, LORD God of Armies
Burns Your wrath at Your people’s prayer?
5 With the bread of tears You feed them,
And full measure of tears they drink.
6 Strife You make us to our neighbors,
And our foes laugh at us in scorn.
7 God of Armies, turn us, bring us back;
Shine Your face on us, we’ll be saved!
8 You brought forth a vine from Egypt,
And to plant it drove nations out.
9 You made room to root it deeply,
And it flourished and filled the land.
10 Then its shadow wrapped the mountains,
And its boughs hid the cedars tall.
11 To the sea it thrust great branches forth,
And young shoots to the mighty stream.
12 Why have You torn down its fences?
It is plucked by each passing hand.
13 Forest boars have gnawed upon it,
And wild creatures have pastured there.
14 Turn again, O God of Armies,
Look from heav’n, visit this Your vine.
15 So uphold what Your right hand did plant,
And the son You raised up in strength.
16 It is burned and hewn in pieces;
By Your frown will they be destroyed.
17 Lay Your hand on him You favored,
Son of man that You raised in strength.
18 Then from You we will not wander;
Make us live; we will call Your name.
19 O LORD God of Armies, turn us back;
Shine Your face on us, we’ll be saved!"
Yesterday we had a heavy day at church. Much sadness in our members meetings as some members abandon the covenants they have sworn before God. We were richly encouraged by the preaching of the word by our pastor, the grieving together and the pastoral care to sing this song together as part of the ordinary means of grace. The Lord God makes his people go through fire, not to destroy us and burn us up, but to prune us and refine us. To make us confess that we cannot save ourselves and only Christ can save those covered by his blood.
"1 Hear, O hear us, Isr’el’s Shepherd,
Who drives forth Joseph like a flock.
From the cherubim, O shine forth;
Rise in valor that we be saved.
2 So arise in sight of Ephraim,
And Manasseh and Benjamin.
3 God, we pray, O turn us, bring us back;
Shine Your face on us, we’ll be saved!
4 O how long, LORD God of Armies
Burns Your wrath at Your people’s prayer?
5 With the bread of tears You feed them,
And full measure of tears they drink.
6 Strife You make us to our neighbors,
And our foes laugh at us in scorn.
7 God of Armies, turn us, bring us back;
Shine Your face on us, we’ll be saved!
8 You brought forth a vine from Egypt,
And to plant it drove nations out.
9 You made room to root it deeply,
And it flourished and filled the land.
10 Then its shadow wrapped the mountains,
And its boughs hid the cedars tall.
11 To the sea it thrust great branches forth,
And young shoots to the mighty stream.
12 Why have You torn down its fences?
It is plucked by each passing hand.
13 Forest boars have gnawed upon it,
And wild creatures have pastured there.
14 Turn again, O God of Armies,
Look from heav’n, visit this Your vine.
15 So uphold what Your right hand did plant,
And the son You raised up in strength.
16 It is burned and hewn in pieces;
By Your frown will they be destroyed.
17 Lay Your hand on him You favored,
Son of man that You raised in strength.
18 Then from You we will not wander;
Make us live; we will call Your name.
19 O LORD God of Armies, turn us back;
Shine Your face on us, we’ll be saved!"
Yesterday we had a heavy day at church. Much sadness in our members meetings as some members abandon the covenants they have sworn before God. We were richly encouraged by the preaching of the word by our pastor, the grieving together and the pastoral care to sing this song together as part of the ordinary means of grace. The Lord God makes his people go through fire, not to destroy us and burn us up, but to prune us and refine us. To make us confess that we cannot save ourselves and only Christ can save those covered by his blood.
Cling fast to your local flock every Lord's day, bless the saints and trust Christ as the great shepherd to feed and balm your soul.
