Thursday Psalms: Your Battle is God's!

 

The psalm for this Ascension Day is Psalm 47, which you might think is a curious choice after reading it.  

Psalm 47

¹ Clap your hands, all peoples!

     Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

² For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,

     a great King over all the earth.

³ He subdued peoples under us,

     and nations under our feet.

⁴ He chose our heritage for us,

     the pride of Jacob whom He loves.

⁵ God has gone up with a shout,

     the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises!

     Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

⁷ For God is the King of all the earth;

     sing praises with a psalm!

⁸ God reigns over the nations;

     God sits on His holy throne.

⁹ The princes of the peoples gather

     as the people of the God of Abraham.

   For the shields of the earth belong to God;

      He is highly exalted! 

A little context for the original writing of this psalm will help bring us to this Ascension Day.  This psalm was first written to shout out praise for a marvelous victory God gave to His people.  In 850 BC, two nations attacked Jerusalem, the capital of Judah.  King Jehoshaphat knew his armies were outnumbered and he cried out to God:  "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You." [2 Chronicles 20:12].  God sent a prophet who spoke God's words to them: "The battle is not yours, but God's" [v15].  So the nation of Judah went to a hopeless battle with nothing more than singing and praising God with a very loud voice [v19].  God proceeded to keep His promise, causing the two armies to turn on each other until no enemy remained in Jerusalem.  

In Psalm 47, the people praised God their eternal King, who came down to save His people and returned to heaven (v5) , where He reigns over the nations and sits on His holy throne (v8).  This brings us to today, as we remember the Ascension of our Lord.  Jesus, your eternal King, came down to be born one of His created, to battle Satan and save you from your sins.  Today, Your king has ascended, He has gone up with a shout and He still reigns over the nations and sits on His holy throne!

No matter how hopeless or painful your situation is today, remember God's promise to you:  "The battle is not yours, but God's".  Your most important preparation for battle is to pray and trust in God, that He will walk with you through your dark days.  Consider these precious words of God from Psalm 23:  "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

Be comforted today and every day because "The battle is not yours, but God's".  

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188 

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

     Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website       Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Pilgrim Worship Sunday May 25, 2025

 

The Ascension     John Singleton Copley  (1738–1815)

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 25, 2025

We're thankful you've come here to watch our service and to worship the one true God!

This was another exciting Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our Adult Bible study at 9:15 am, then our 10:30 am Worship service.  Afterward, we gathered for food and conversations, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!  Anyone can watch our services live on Facebook or later on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

   First Reading:  Acts 16:9–15

      Psalm:   Psalm 67

     Epistle:   Revelation 21:9–14, 21–27

    Gospel:    John 16:23–33

THEME FOR WORSHIP

The sixth Sunday of Easter brings us to the brink of Ascension, which Christ’s Church celebrates this Thursday.  Through the Easter season, the weekly Bible readings have reminded us that Jesus’ resurrection is a physical reality for you, me and all believers.  In these last Sundays of Easter, our focus has been on the Holy Spirit living bodily in us through God’s Word & Sacraments.  

The Hymn of the Day for today is “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice”.  We’ll sing all ten stanzas because it is one of the finest confessions of faith, taking us from the depths of sin’s sorrow to Jesus rescuing us, to His resurrection and finally to the Father’s giving us the Holy Spirit who comforts us in body and soul.

To watch the video of today's service, please click HERE.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188   

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  
       Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website           Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9 

Thursday Psalms: God Is Gracious!

Especially for Missouri Lutheran worshipers, the first verse of today's Psalm reminds us of the familiar benediction spoken at the end of the Divine Service on Sunday mornings.  We remember and pray for God's grace and blessing, because God loves each of us so very much and gives them to us.  God loves YOU so very much, and gives His grace and blessing to YOU!  

This psalm also introduces another reason why God would be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us.

Psalm 67

¹ May God be gracious to us and bless us

      and make His face to shine upon us,

² that Your way may be known on earth,

      Your saving power among all nations.

³ Let the peoples praise You, O God;

      let all the peoples praise You!

⁴ Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

      for You judge the peoples with equity

            and guide the nations upon earth.

⁵ Let the peoples praise You, O God;

      let all the peoples praise You!

⁶ The earth has yielded its increase;

      God, our God, shall bless us.

⁷ God shall bless us;

      let all the ends of the earth fear Him! 

We find this reason in verse two:  [so] that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.  God blesses His people, so all people would learn of Him and believe in Him.  With this in mind, we should always give thanks to God for His blessings, given for His purposes.  We should also ask ourselves:  "How can I use the blessings God has given me, so others would also receive God's grace and blessings?".  

God is gracious and blesses you greatly; may He lead you to be grace & blessing to others!

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188 

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

     Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website       Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Pilgrim Worship Sunday May 18, 2025

 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 18, 2025

We're thankful you've come here to watch our service and to worship the one true God!

This was another exciting Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our Adult Bible study at 9:15 am, then our 10:30 am Worship service.  Afterward, we gathered for food and conversations, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!  Anyone can watch our services live on Facebook or later on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

  First Reading:  Acts 11:1–18

              Psalm:  Psalm 148

            Epistle:   Revelation 21:1–7

            Gospel:   John 16:12–22

THEME FOR WORSHIP

The fifth Sunday of Easter bears the traditional name Cantate, a Latin word meaning "sing!"  The hymns, prayers and readings continue the celebration of Eastertide, that God loved us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to live, die and rise again, giving to us a life of love and joy.  

In the First Reading, the Holy Spirit was given to Gentiles, causing the leaders to glorify God.  Psalm 148 is all about praising the LORD, as all of creation joins in.  The Epistle reveals the new heaven and new earth of the Last Day.  Praise God, who is making all things new!  Finally, in the Gospel reading Jesus tells us that our sadness will only last a little while, and then our sorrow will turn into joy.   Come along and cantate with us!

To watch the video of today's service, please click HERE.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188   

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  
       Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website           Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Thursday Psalms: Say So!

Psalm 107 is our psalm for this day, a longer song which I commend to your full reading.  After the opening three verses, you'll find four sections, each describing a group of people in distress, their call for help and a refrain thanking the Lord for His response.

Psalm 107, selected verses:

¹ Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,

      for His steadfast love endures forever!

² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

      whom He has redeemed from trouble

³ and gathered in from the lands,

      from the east and from the west,

            from the north and from the south.

Examples of people in distress:

⁴ Some wandered in desert wastes,

      finding no way to a city to dwell in…

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

      prisoners in affliction and in irons…

¹⁷ Some were fools through their sinful ways,

      and because of their iniquities suffered affliction…

²³ Some went down to the sea in ships,

      doing business on the great waters…

In each section you'll find something similar to this: 

⁶ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

      and He delivered them from their distress.

Each section concludes with a refrain like this one:

⁸ Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love,

      for His wondrous works to the children of man!

⁹ For He satisfies the longing soul,

      and the hungry soul He fills with good things.

Verses 33-42 contain more blessed works of the Lord, followed by this ending:

⁴³ Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;

      let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

 

No matter what your current situation, be it one of joy or suffering, speak or sing this verse today:

  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!

The Lord's steadfast love endures forever; He says so!  You should say so, too!

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188 

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

     Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website       Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Pilgrim Worship Sunday May 11, 2025

  

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

May 11, 2025

We're thankful you've come here to watch our service and to worship the one true God!

This was another exciting Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our Adult Bible study at 9:15 am, then our 10:30 am Worship service.  Afterward, we gathered for food and conversations, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!  Anyone can watch our services live on Facebook or later on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS
  First Reading:  Acts 20:17–35
             Psalm:  Psalm 23
            Epistle:  Revelation 7:9–17
            Gospel:  John 10:22–30

THEME FOR WORSHIP
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is commonly celebrated as Good Shepherd Sunday. Each of the assigned readings captures the nature of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Shepherd of His Church; the best-known being the 23rd Psalm. Jesus is the only one who can truly gather, tend and protect us, through His gracious and merciful love, given to us on Calvary’s cross. Jesus does this all for you and for me; for the love of sheep!

To watch the video of today's service, please click HERE.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188   

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  
       Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website           Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Thursday Psalms: How Long, O Lord?

 

God brought this psalm to my mind after our Bible class yesterday, where we were discussing one confusing thing about God.  How often do we ask God questions in a certain circumstance, like "What are You up to?" or "How long must I wait for Your answers?"  Of course, God tells us everything we NEED to know in His Word.  But God often does not tell us everything we WANT to know about His will.  In our class discussions, we encouraged each other to look at all our difficult questions through the lens of God's eternal promises and plans.  Psalm 13 below is one of many examples in the psalter which help us do this. 

Psalm 13

¹  How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?

         How long will You hide Your face from me?

²  How long must I take counsel in my soul

         and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

     How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

³  Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;

         light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

⁴  lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”

         lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

⁵  But I have trusted in Your steadfast love;

         my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

⁶  I will sing to the Lord,

         because He has dealt bountifully with me.

It's almost as if David speaks his mind to God, and then pauses to catch his breath after verse four.  God the Holy Spirit appears to have captured this pause for David and turned his attention back to God.  David is thinking and saying "O yes, I do remember what You O Lord my God have done for me in the past.".  David remembers how he's trusted God in the past, whose steadfast love for David never fails.  This is God's good news for you today also.  

Remembering God's goodness & mercy in your past days gives you peace & even joy in your sufferings of this day, and the days to come.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188 

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

     Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website       Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Thursday Psalms: Dance & Sing!

What a beautiful song of God's mercy and forgiveness, which bring forth joy and thankfulness from our hearts and voices!  Pray verses 1-3 in your own words, expanding wherever you are led, to include specific sins or situations.  Then sing and give thanks with verse four.  

Consider verse five; what a powerful statement!  Both God's anger and your weeping over your sins are only for a short time!  Both are ended when you confess your sins and then receive God's forgiveness.  God's favor and His forgiveness are yours throughout your lifetime!  They last forever!

Forgiven and set free from your sins, dance & sing, praising your Lord and God!

Psalm 30 

¹ I will extol You, O Lord, for You have drawn me up

      and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

² O Lord my God, I cried to You for help,

      and You have healed me.

³ O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol;

      You restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

⁴ Sing praises to the Lord, O you His saints,

      and give thanks to His holy name.

⁵ For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime.

     Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

¹⁰ Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!

      O Lord, be my helper!”

¹¹ You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

      You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

¹² that my glory may sing Your praise and not be silent.

      O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever! 

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188 

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

     Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website       Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9