Chambersburg Bible Church

Psalm 18 is a remarkable passage of scripture for a number of reasons, but one such reason is the expression of thankfulness and praise to God for the gift of absolute victory. In his many flights from Saul, David experienced the power and watch-care of Almighty God. In this Psalm, David acknowledges the all-sufficiency of God for our every need and ascribes ‘heavy worth’ to Him in worship. God is worthy of our delight, love, praise, and adoration — this is worship, ascribing worth to God in all things. David realized that God was his personal refuge and strength, the powerful and unmovable rock of his salvation. The Lord God Almighty is our deliverer, if we but put our trust in Him. Do we understand that God is in complete control of all things (sovereignty)? Do we know that He is our shield and protector in times of trouble? Do we hope in the Lord for our eternal security (salvation)? Do we run to Him for protection, our high tower?

God loves you, and when you realize the awesome power of God and the impotence of self-reliance, call upon the Lord for salvation, then rest in his protection and strength all your days!

Other passages of interest:

• John 20:17John 20:17
  17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.  
  
• Matthew 28:9Matthew 28:9
  9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.  
  
• Psalm 57:1Psalm 57:1
  57 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Altaschith: or, Destroy not ¹ Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.  
  
• 1 Peter 1:51 Peter 1:5
  5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  
  
• Psalm 18:46Psalm 18:46
  46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.  
  

Mid-week Minutes is a weekly summary of Pastor’s Bible Study from the mid-week Prayer Service.

Pastor presented a study from Psalm 24 in our mid-week prayer services in April, reminding us to praise and glorify the King of Glory. We have many reasons to praise our God, one of which is His creation. The Psalm indicates that those who enter the presence of the King must be of clean hands and a pure heart, the cleansing of which can only come from the Lord himself through faith in his plan of redemption.

The latter portion of the Psalm speaks prophetically of the entrance of the King of Glory into the Holy City. This passage seems to be prophetic in nature, possibly referring to the Palm Sunday entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem, or eschatologically, his entrance into the city establishing his Kingdom upon the earth. Some consideration may also be given to the prophetic rule of “double reference” in the closing verses, referring to both Christ’s Second Coming – in which Christ himself is mighty in battle (Revelation 19) – and then the Eternal City in Heaven following the new creation.

Psalm 24

1. The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

Mid-week Minutes is a weekly summary of Pastor’s Bible Study from the mid-week Prayer Service.

Paul challenges the Ephesian believers “to know the love of Christ” and to “be filled with all the fulness of God.” This challenge speaks directly to our sanctification, the process by which we become more and more like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This process is not achieved through our own doing, but through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, only if we are willing to humble ourselves in submission to the will and work of Christ in our life.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. – Ephesians 3:17-19Ephesians 3:17-19
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  

Notice the root of sancitification – “love” – it is the Love of Christ which draws us to salvation, if we only accept him. Sanctification can then begin in our lives! Think about this… if our relationship with God is rooted in his love first and grows through the knowledge/understanding of that love, our daily relationships with our family, friends, and neighbors will not grow unless they are rooted in love! Food for thought.

Other Passages:

• 2 Corinthians 5:142 Corinthians 5:14
  14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  
  
• Philippians 2:12-14Philippians 2:12-14
  12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. ¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  
  
• Colossians 3:15-16Colossians 3:15-16
  15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  
  
• Ephesians 3:20Ephesians 3:20
  20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  
  

Mid-week Minutes is a weekly summary of Pastor’s Bible Study from the mid-week Prayer Service.