"The LORD Is in His Holy Temple" - 28 July 2024
In the LORD I take
refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, for
behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot
in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can
the righteous do?” O Lord our refuge, the shelter in the midst of the storm, for
those who are taunted and teased by their afflictions, ailments, burdens to “flee
like a bird to your mountain,” we pray (…). Enfold them in your compassion
and fill them with courage that they may rejoice in your goodness. For those
being aimed at by the bow of the wicked, shot at in the dark and dimness, we
pray (…). Shield them from the fiery darts, and screen them from slander and
spite. For those who are rocking and reeling and feeling as if the bottom is
falling out, we pray (…). May they find in you their sure foundation and be
built up in sturdy strength.
The LORD is in his holy
temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the
children of man. The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked
and the one who loves violence. O LORD, high and lifted up, many in academia, and
many in positions of power and prominence in our broadcasting and print outlets
act and function as if they are gods, high and mighty in their own opinions and
derisiveness. Many in our institutions of science and medicine proceed and
pronounce as if the sun rises and sets at their bidding. Bring them to know
that they are mere dust before you, that they are faulty and frail mortals who
are given each breath and each opportunity to think and speak and live from
your hand. And bring them to bow the knee before your Son, Jesus Christ, now,
before he returns to judge the living and the dead. And for our own country and
for all the nations of the world, we pray: “Arise, O LORD! Let not man
prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O LORD! Let
the nations know that they are but men” (Psalm 9:19-20)!
Let him rain coals on the
wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold
his face. O
Father, we pray for your church that spans this round globe, including this
congregation, Grace Covenant Church, Greater Mt. Olive Baptist, Greater Cleaves
Memorial CME Church, and Harvest Hills Baptist Church. You who are righteous
and love righteous deeds, may your righteousness triumph among us. Produce
repentance where there has been a history of hardheaded recalcitrance; grace
where there has been hardnosed legalism; peace where there have been heartless
divisions; hope where there has been helpless trouble; ongoing fortitude where
there has been Biblical faithfulness; and outright success where there has been
Gospel outreach. Hasten the day when the upright will behold your face; by the
saving power of Jesus Christ our Lord. (From Psalm 11).[1] And
now, we join hearts and voices to pray together as Jesus our Lord taught us,
saying, Our Father…
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