There is s shortage of Bibles in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali, and the Bibles are desperately needed because of an increasing number of new Christian believers. In the past, Islamic extremists destroyed Bibles first when attacking villages. Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) recently replaced 1,200 Bibles, but that number represents only a fraction of what is needed in the area.
I am not sure there is a more encouraging verse to lift up the downcast soul, to recover the Satan-buffeted believer, to strength the bruised reed, and enflame the heart of a flickering wick than today’s scripture, Zephaniah 3:17. Go back and read it again slowly, asking the Spirit of God to warm your heart with its truth.
Three of the most deceitful and soul-damaging sins we may commit are complaining, procrastination, and discontentment. Today we focus on the topic of discontentment. Here we find an attack on God’s character. Discontent says, “God, I don’t deserve this treatment and I deserve more from You than I have.” Don’t go there. We don’t want what we really deserve from God.
Life is full of burdens. Life is hard. Life is trying. We are confronted with much this side of heaven which seems to overwhelm us, drown us, and if not careful, will cover us with a blanket of hopelessness. Yet for the Christian, we have a Burden Bearer who knows our weaknesses, cares for us with a love beyond description, and comes alongside us to be our burden-bearer.
My church holds two services on the Lord’s Day. Each Sunday morning, we gather for worship, fellowship, and instruction for about ninety minutes. Some Sundays we may go a little longer but we are generally in a corporate setting from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Then we have an evening service. It normally lasts from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Like the morning service, we may go a little longer. Yet, we aren’t in a hurry. It is standard practice to see many people hanging around after both services to enjoy the togetherness as God’s people. There is something beautiful about the togetherness of God’s people on the Lord’s Day and having two opportunities is a delight and joy. And it is this beauty of our togetherness we want to consider from today’s scripture.
Psalm 27:8 – You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” THEME OF THE DAY. A SATISFYING COMMAND. Human beings are fully satisfied with only one thing. Yes, we find temporary pleasure in things of the world, even sin, but ultimately everything apart from the One thing will prove to be unfulfilling. That…