September 8, 2019
Scripture:
Hymn 230 - I’ve found a Friend, O such a friend!
Prayer
Today we are looking at a Song of Degrees written by David. We all know David was a great warrior, king and a man after God’s own heart. He delighted to spend time with the Lord
Psalm 122
God has always sought to dwell with His people. The first place that was built for God to come down into was the tabernacle.
Exodus 29:45,46
The Children of Israel made the tabernacle when they were traveling in the dessert. The glory of God filled it. They were able to take it down and journey with it.
The next thing that was built was the temple. Solomon built it. David had wanted to but because he was a man of war God told him not to.
2 Chronicles 6:1,2,6,10,20
The temple was built in Jerusalem. God had said if they weren’t in Jerusalem but wanted to pray that they were to face the direction of Jerusalem. We remember when Daniel was in Babylon that he faced Jerusalem when he prayed.
Now instead of God dwelling in a building the Holy Ghost comes into each of us when we are saved. Our bodies are the temple.
David was happy to come to the place of the Lord. Are we happy when we gather together?
I once heard a story of a man who stopped going to meeting. A brother from the same assemble went to visit him. During the visit the brother took a coal out of the fireplace and let it cool on the hearth. He said we need to be together to keep in the Lord’s things. If we don’t we will be like this coal and grow cold.
There is a unity when we are all together. Out in the world everyone has their own beliefs but we can all come together in unity and encourage one another.
It’s a privilege that we have prayer. We can pray for others. In this Psalm they were praying for peace and love.
David was so happy to be able to go to the house of the Lord and be able to pray for these things. I hope we are encouraged as we come together in unity.
John 15
Jesus and the disciples left the upper room and went to the garden of Gethsemane. In this chapter the Lord is exhorting unto fruit bearing.
Before God provided a dwelling place where He could be with His people. In Acts We see God’s people become the house where He now dwells. A vine was a symbol used in the Old Testament for Israel. Here Jesus was saying the Israel was not longer the vine, but He is the true vine.
A vine usually isn’t much good unless there are grapes. Vines have to be dealt with so they can produce good fruit. Vines that go unattended produce few and small grapes that aren’t very good. Jesus’ Father is the husband man tending the vines.
Mr Hole has the thought that Judas Iscariot was a branch that had to be done away with. (v. 6). But Judas wasn’t saved and these appear to be branches that weren’t bearing fruit.
Darby puts verse two as, ” As to every branch in me baring not fruit, he takes it away; and as to every one bearing fruit, he purges it that it may bring forth more fruit”. The object is to have more fruit brought forth.
We need to have fellowship with the Lord, not just with each other. It’s abiding in Him - reading His word and praying. Dwelling and abiding are the same thing.
Our vine is never going to die. The enemy has made effort, but He remains the same yesterday, today and forever.
Hymn 163 - Guide us, O Thou gracious Saviour
Prayer