Build Up David's Throne

 The 89^th Psalm:  Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. 

 

Lord, we love to sing of your mercies in this gathering. You are indeed faithful to all generations, from Adam down to the infant born this very morning. You have given your Word on the cross and in the Scriptures, and we are to spread that good news as far as we can. So first we thank you for an organization doing just that: Huguenot Heritage, for Francis Foucachon and the other members of that organization, working to bring your mercy to French-speaking lands. We ask that you bless their work with startling success and bring your wonderful covenant to even more of your chosen.

But evangelism is not the only method you have chosen to build up David’s throne. You have sworn to establish it “for all generations”—and in order to have those generations, you must grant us new ones to replace the old. And godly generations are most numerous when they are the fruit of godly marriages. So thank you for our marriages here at King’s Cross. In a Western world where most have never even seen constant, day-to-day faithfulness lived out between a man and a woman, you have made us abound in it. We do not thank you enough for that. So when our spouse delights—or frustrates—us this week, remind us to praise your wonders in marriage.

We bless your faithfulness to the congregations of the saints. Who can compare with it? Particularly we bring before you Covenant Presbyterian Church of Alberta, Canada, and their pastor Chris Cousine. We are grateful that lockdowns gave them the spark to gather together—establish their lampstand firmly.

And in all our other, unspoken blessings, help us to fear you as we ought, and not grow in easy contempt through out closeness.

 Amen.

Thanksgivings, King's Cross May 26th, A.D. 2024

Lines in Pleasant Places

Psalm XVI: The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. For the LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; you maintain my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

Lord, we know that we are to look to you alone for refuge, and when we are safely in that refuge we are to praise you for what you have given. Our thanksgivings are to be a confirmation of your goodness. They are to be our testimony before the world that you are a God who answers, unlike all those silent gods who cannot even speak their own names. So we come before you to offer the cup of our praising hearts, back to the one who gave them in the first place.

Thank you for what has fallen in pleasant places: for our wonderful community of the saints, which may gather without danger or interruption for the gifts of the word and sacraments. And you do not bless us alone, but all your people in the West have this unappreciated gift. In particular, we thank you for the gathering of saints in Denver called Redeemer Community Church. May Pastor Rodland and their elders shepherd them well during a time of growth.