West Park Baptist Church

Loving God, Loving People, Impacting the World

Israel

Advent 2020 – Psalm 72:18 (Dec. 7)

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Psalm 72:18

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things. (ESV)

This week we are focusing on the Way – how God will work out the salvation of His people, despite the overwhelming odds against their salvation. And we’re going to see day by day through this week that faith is required to experience God’s way of salvation. 

Today’s verse in Psalm 72:18 calls on us to bless the LORD, the God of Israel, and proclaims that God alone does wondrous things. Why focus on this verse today as we learn about God’s way? There are a couple of reasons. 

First, we need to know something about this entire Psalm. It is the end of Book 2, the second collection of Psalms, and it was written to honor Israel’s king. Either David or his son Solomon wrote this psalm, and it describes the type of king that Israel needs to sit on the throne. A mighty king. A just king. A faithful king. A compassionate king. A godly king. A king that Israel will pray for, learn from, and grow closer to God as a result of his rule. A king to whom the whole world will give honor and pay tribute. When a king like that rules with perfect justice and love, the whole world sees God most clearly and worships Him for who He is. 

Ultimately, we know Jesus is this King! He is the heir of David, for Jesus Himself says in Revelation 22:16, “I am the root and the descendant of David.” God’s plan is for the whole world to be ruled by King Jesus. That is God’s way forward. That was the expectation of David and Solomon and all the people – for the Messiah to rule them. Yet, by the time of Isaiah, when the people inquire as to what type of King they will get, Isaiah tells them he will be rejected and despised (Isaiah 53). We’ll learn later this week why that would be the case. 

But I said there were two reasons why we are focusing on Psalm 72:18 today. The first reason is to meditate on the perfect king and pray for his arrival. But the second reason to focus on this verse is to give God praise for the wondrous things He has done for you personally. What has God done for you? What wondrous things have you experienced through His work in your life? 

Think on those things today, cultivate your faith in God’s wondrous works and bless the glorious name of the LORD!

Global Perspectives on Coronavirus – Pt 4

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Have you been following the news lately? Admittedly it’s hard to put our devices down and turn off our tv’s for fear of missing the latest developments. But truly the best news comes as we look back in faith instead of ahead with fear. David, today’s author, takes us back in history to learn how God’s people trusted Him and how we still must trust Him today.

Be Strong and of Good Courage

As the world faces the current pandemic, I am reminded that the nation of Israel is no stranger in responding to crises. This goes for the small, yet strong body of believers as well. In 2014 Israel found herself having to respond to the daily barrage of rockets coming out of Gaza that were aimed at her civilians. The situation had deteriorated to being more than a thorn in Israel’s side. The daily disruptions had shut down schools and was causing an entire population to live in fear. The government was considering sending a ground force into Gaza to root out the source of this terror. It would certainly be messy and cost innocent lives. Those on the front line consisted of Israel’s youth—the 18-year-olds who are conscripted for 3 years after high school. These soldiers included the sons and daughters of our friends that we served alongside in ministry. Many were calling for a strong, hammer-like response to the terror.

In contrast to the outcries for blood, our pastor in Jerusalem, along with the elders, drafted a letter to the Prime Minister. In this letter, they assured the Prime Minister that they were aware of the heavy burden he carried on his shoulders. The elders let him know that this wasn’t the first time that the Jewish people faced a crisis that demanded a response. They assured him that there was a group of Jewish believers in Jesus who were praying for him. They implored him in the letter to turn to the One who would fight for them and not trust only in the weapons of war.

Our pastor wisely admonished us to pray. Pray for the Prime Minister. Pray for the soldiers and the army. Pray for the believers who live in Gaza. And pray for the terrorists who were behind the rocket attacks. Our focus was turned from one of fear leading to revenge, to one of faith leading to hope as we prayed for our enemies.

Today, we face a new enemy. COVID-19 is creating global uncertainty and panic. The world is watching how we as believers respond. On one level, we need to heed the advice and cautions of our government and medical professionals. Prudence regarding social-distancing and cleanliness is required. However, we must also respond as people of faith in the One whose hand is mighty to save. As fear and anxiety rise up in the hearts of those around us, we have the opportunity to give assurance that the One we serve cares for us and is in control. We have the opportunity to love our neighbors.

Joshua faced a critical situation after the death of Moses. The Bible tells us that the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel. Joshua in turn reminded Israel of all that the Lord had done for them as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty AND that they may fear the Lord their God forever. We need to remind ourselves daily of the great things God has done for us in the past so that we can be assured of his care for us in the future. Pray for your enemies; pray for those who don’t yet believe; pray for those who disagree with you politically. The hand of our God is mighty and his love for us is great.

David has served in the Middle East for the past 15 years, along with his wife. They have three grown children.