Thursday Psalms: God's On Your Side!

Today we consider Psalm 124, a song of encouragement and remembering God's care for us.

PSALM 124         A Song of Ascents. Of David.
   ¹ If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
          let Israel now say—
   ² if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
          when people rose up against us,
   ³ then they would have swallowed us up alive, 
          when their anger was kindled against us;
   ⁴ then the flood would have swept us away, 
          the torrent would have gone over us;
   ⁵ then over us would have gone the raging waters.
   ⁶ Blessed be the Lord, 
          who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
   ⁷ We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
          the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
   ⁸ Our help is in the name of the Lord,

          who made heaven and earth. 

In this psalm, David is calling Israel to remember something:  their "help is in the name of the Lord".  David reminds them what would have happened to them, if the Lord had not been "on our side".  Today, pause for a few moments, and consider this in your own life.  As you look back "in the rearview mirror", when can you see God's hand helping, protecting, or defending you?  Take the time to thank God for His care and provision!  This is a very important lesson in this psalm for us, and I encourage you to do this often.

But what about those times when you've felt like the Lord was not with you?  What about those times when we want or think we need certain outcomes from God, and it appears like He is nowhere to be found.  Does this psalm teach us about that also?  

Consider the final verse: "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth."  God doesn't say our help might be in Him, nor does He say our help sometimes will be in Him.  God clearly says our help is in Him.   ...at all times.  ...in all situations.  And then He reminds us who He is:  "...who made heaven and Earth."  In this verse, God reminds us that He has the power, and wields His power to be our help in every situation, as it pleases His will not ours. 

Give thanks for God's help that you can see clearly, and always cling to the name of the Lord in all situations.  God is on your side!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"For You, O LORD, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth."  Psalm 71:5 

Pilgrim Worship Sunday June 16, 2024

  Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

June 16, 2024

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 9:00 am, then our 10:00 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:

BIBLE READINGS FOR SUNDAY

  Old Testament:  Ezekiel 17:22–24

               Psalm:  Psalm 1
              Epistle:  2 Corinthians 5:1–10
              Gospel:  Mark 4:26–34

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
We’re fully enwrapped in the beauty of summer!  Planted seeds are growing & producing their fruit.  Tender twigs adorn the tops of cedars, oaks and all kinds of trees.  Today God speaks through His servant Ezekiel, promising to grow up a noble cedar, giving home & shade to every kind of bird.  Through His servant Mark, Jesus describes the kingdom of God through the vocation of a farmer and the growth of a tiny seed.  So, where are you in these pictures God gives to us?  Are you a tree, bird, seed, farmer, branch or fruit?  

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

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"For You, O LORD, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth."  Psalm 71:5

Thursday Psalms: Delight In God's Law

Today our focus is Psalm 1, a favorite psalm for many people:

PSALM 1
¹ Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
      nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
      and on His law he meditates day and night. 
³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water 
      that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.
      In all that he does, he prospers.
⁴ The wicked are not so,
      but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
      nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
⁶ for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

      but the way of the wicked will perish.

Most times when Scripture uses the phrase "the law of the Lord", the 10 Commandments usually come to our minds.  But we should think more broadly than this; "the law of the Lord" really refers to the entire relationship which God created and desires to exist between Him and His people.  Think in terms of your entire life of reading Scripture, prayer, worship and service to God & your neighbors.  

Blessed are the men and women who DELIGHT in a loving relationship with God, a life of service and worship!  When hard times come, God sustains you as you cling to His promises and receive His comfort.  When you trust in the Lord, and delight in Him, your roots go down deep and you won't be destroyed or pushed over by the attacks of Satan.  When you stumble and sin, confess them and God will forgive you!  God washes you clean and makes you righteous because Jesus took your punishment; He was righteous in your place!

Delight in God's Law!  Delight in His forgiveness!  AMEN!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"For You, O LORD, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth."  Psalm 71:5