In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
2 “LORD, rescue me from lying lips
and a deceitful tongue.”
3 What will he give you,
and what will he do to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior’s sharp arrows
with burning charcoal!
5 What misery that I have stayed in Meshech,
that I have lived among the tents of Kedar!
6 I have dwelt too long
with those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace; but when I speak,
they are for war.
Psalms 120:1-7 (CSB)
There is a place for you to serve among the women’s and men’s ministries at Springfield PFWB Church. Join us at 7 PM.
In the account of God’s work forming and filling creation, we come to Genesis 2:18 where, for the first time, we read God’s assessment that something is not good.
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him” (Genesis 2:18).
After finding no corresponding helper in all of creation, God provides for the man the woman. For the mandate to be fruitful, multiply, fill, subdue, and rule (steward the blessing), Adam’s corresponding helper was Eve.
Fast forward through time and we again find a pronouncement of “not good.” In Exodus 18:13-27, Jethro observes how Moses spends his time when Israel is not on the move. Moses sits down to judge the people, essentially serving as their sole arbiter, from sun-up until sundown. Notice specifically what Jethro identifies as “not good” about this arrangement:
When Moses’s father-in-law saw everything he was doing for them he asked, “What is this you’re doing for the people? Why are you alone sitting as judge…?” (Exodus 18:14, emphasis mine).
Once again, the pronouncement is rightly made: it is not good for the man to be alone. And, if we’re not careful, we’ll skip to the details of Jethro’s solution without rightly understanding the problem. The problem is not a multitude of people requiring a leader. The problem is not the position of leadership. The problem is not Moses’s abilities or even his calling to lead. The problem is simply that he has taken on the mandate to steward the people of God ALONE. Moses needs a corresponding helper. The helper corresponding to Moses’s need is not in the form of a wife, but in a multitude of capable leaders who will divide the weight of responsibility for God’s treasured possession.
Moses receives Jethro’s advice with gladness. And what of us? Will we receive the admonition throughout the pages of Scripture that it is not good for us to be alone? In the walk of faith before us, will we hear the warning: this thing is too heavy for you, you need a corresponding helper? We need a community of faith—a church family—within which we can experience the fullness of the gifts of the Spirit distributed by God to each one “as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
“In this way you will lighten your load, and they will bear it with you. If you do this … you will be able to endure…” (Exodus 18:22-23
Sunday School for all ages begins weekly at 9:45 AM. All are warmly welcome.
Join us for Homecoming at Springfield on Sunday, September 22. Special guest speaker will be Rev. Harvey Whaley, Jr. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9:45 AM, followed by Morning Worship at 11 AM. Dinner will be catered in the Fellowship Hall following Morning Worship.
Fall Revival Services will begin Sunday, September 22 at 6 PM, and will continue Monday, September 23 through Wednesday, September 25 at 7:30 PM. All are warmly welcome.
ת Taw
169 Let my cry reach you, LORD;
give me understanding according to your word.
170 Let my plea reach you;
rescue me according to your promise.
171 My lips pour out praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue sings about your promise,
for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, LORD,
and your instruction is my delight.
175 Let me live, and I will praise you;
may your judgments help me.
176 I wander like a lost sheep;
seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commands.
Psalms 119:169-176 (CSB)
Read all of Psalm 119 using the link below.
שׂ Sin / שׁ Shin
161 Princes have persecuted me without cause,
but my heart fears only your word.
162 I rejoice over your promise
like one who finds vast treasure.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your instruction.
164 I praise you seven times a day
for your righteous judgments.
165 Abundant peace belongs to those
who love your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble.
166 LORD, I hope for your salvation
and carry out your commands.
167 I obey your decrees
and love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and decrees,
for all my ways are before you.
Psalms 119:161-168 (CSB)
Read all of Psalm 119 using the link below.
ר Resh
153 Consider my affliction and rescue me,
for I have not forgotten your instruction.
154 Champion my cause and redeem me;
give me life as you promised.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked
because they do not study your statutes.
156 Your compassions are many, LORD;
give me life according to your judgments.
157 My persecutors and foes are many.
I have not turned from your decrees.
158 I have seen the disloyal and feel disgust
because they do not keep your word.
159 Consider how I love your precepts;
LORD, give me life according to your faithful love.
160 The entirety of your word is truth,
each of your righteous judgments endures forever.
Psalms 119:153-160 (CSB)
Read all of Psalm 119 using the link below.
ק Qoph
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD.
I will obey your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
and I will keep your decrees.
147 I rise before dawn and cry out for help;
I put my hope in your word.
148 I am awake through each watch of the night
to meditate on your promise.
149 In keeping with your faithful love, hear my voice.
LORD, give me life in keeping with your justice.
150 Those who pursue evil plans come near;
they are far from your instruction.
151 You are near, LORD,
and all your commands are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your decrees
that you have established them forever.
Psalms 119:145-152 (CSB)
Read all of Psalm 119 using the link below.
צ Tsade
137 You are righteous, LORD,
and your judgments are just.
138 The decrees you issue are righteous
and altogether trustworthy.
139 My anger overwhelms me
because my foes forget your words.
140 Your word is completely pure,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am insignificant and despised,
but I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and your instruction is true.
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me,
but your commands are my delight.
144 Your decrees are righteous forever.
Give me understanding, and I will live.
Psalms 119:137-144 (CSB)
Read all of Psalm 119 using the link below.
