Bathsheba: Bad start. Good ending.
Ladies First, Story Eight
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah… (from Matthew 1)
Ever wonder what inspired the Psalmists to compose such timeless “songs”? No mystery here for the answer is quite simple:LIFEThe Psalms are unique in all Scripture because they are purely the outpourings and opinings of people towards or concerned with God as life reveals our need for Him. As I have said many times, I believe that Psalm 23 is the finest literary effort of all time: personal, lovely, pithy, theologically astute, economical, and uplifting.
Our same brother in the faith who wrote #23 also wrote what is, in my opinion, the next nominee for the “Psalms to Memorize” list: Psalm 51. This masterpiece is profound in the breadth of what it covers, while all the time being so readily familiar and able to be grasped, applied, and made one’s own. It is the heart’s cry of a broken man of God repenting and humbly exulting in redemption. King David wrote this in response to finally coming to grips with his sin regarding Bathsheba, Uriah, and all Israel. No doubt his words have been uttered in humble hope and confession BILLIONS of times since they were first written down. And no doubt the mercy and grace of God has poured over the pray-ers of these confessions BILLIONS of times. That I memorized parts of Psalm 51 as a boy prepared me to be part of the BILLIONS confessed and mercy received.
Both Psalm 23 and Psalm 51 flow from David’s experience. Both are ideally suited for the human condition, without exception. And both proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ hundreds of years before His Incarnation. He is the Good Shepherd who creates clean hearts, renews spirits, and restores the joy of salvation.
News & Announcements:
- House Blessing @ Bill & Suzi Matthews’, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7:00
- Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer for Nov. – Emergency Department (ED)The Current ED at the Medical Center has 18 beds, four of which are dedicated to cardiac emergencies and traumas. There are one to two emergency trained physicians in house 24×7. Approximately 90 patients are seen a day in this area.
- Ladies –Thursday evenings 6:00-7:00 @ the church. Subject: Philippians.
- Men’s Gospel of John Manuscript Study – 6:00-7:00 on Mondays @ Dave Park’s Place
- Men – Men’s Fraternity Wednesday mornings, Sept. 21 @ 6:00 a.m. Coffee & donuts provided.
- Anybody – C.S. Lewis Reading Group, Tuesday evenings, 7:00, Fellowcopter Pad (ask Pastor)
- Our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Saturday, Nov. 12 @ 5:00
- OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – GIVE THE LOVE OF GOD SHED ABROAD IN SHOEBOXES OF HOPE – NEXT SUNDAY!
