Trinity Bible Church

Prayer

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice” (Psalm 95:6-7).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Julia H. Johnston, in Hymns Tried and True (Chicago, Illinois: The Bible Institute Colportage Association, 1911). Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1910.

GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN
Click here for tune.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Refrain

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can we do to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Refrain

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

Refrain

Thought Provoker

As part of the Lord’s prayer, Jesus instructs us to pray, lead us not into temptation. And yet the Bible also teaches that God does not tempt any man (James 1:13). As we come to the end of David’s rule we discover from David’s sin the purpose of temptation and also its origin.

Dad’s Study

The last chapter of 2nd Samuel opens with God being angry with David for his sin of numbering Israel. Read carefully the 1st verse and discover who it is that tempted David. That’s right, God moved David to number Israel. Yet the account of this same sin in 1 Chronicles 21 tells us that it was Satan that provoked David to number Israel (1 Chron. 21:1). We see this same pattern repeated in Scripture. In the book of Job it was God’s idea to tempt Job when he said, Hast thou considered my servant Job — (v. 8)? When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Matthew tells us, Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matt. 4:1). In other words, God the Spirit led Jesus to be tempted by the devil. Which is it, God or the devil that tempts us? It is both! God sovereignly tempts His children, like Job, for the purpose of trying them that they might be found faithful unto His glory. Even if God’s testing results in a spiritual fall, the Christian is strengthened and God is glorified through His divine chastisement. Remember that temptation itself is not sin (James 1:15). How does God tempt? Frequently, through the agency of Satan himself. Like in Job, God lets Satan’s leash out just far enough to accomplish God’s sovereign purpose. Satan’s purpose in tempting is to defeat the Christian and bring spiritual ruin. Although David gave in to the temptation, which resulted in 3 days of pestilence and the death of 70,000 men, he was not defeated. David humbly confessed his sin and sought forgiveness by building an altar and making sacrifice (vs. 17, 25). In summary, who tempts you in your Christian life? Both God and Satan. God tempts for the purpose of refining you and proving you to be GENUINE unto His glory. Satan, on the other hand, tempts to spiritually destroy you. Remember that Satan could not tempt if God did not pull back His restraining hand in your life.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

How are you to resist sin? First, prayer is essential! Bow in prayer today and ask God not to lead you and your family into temptation, but to deliver you from evil. Ask for God’s strength to resist the temptations of the evil one. Secondly, you must know Scripture. When Jesus was tempted, He responded with Scriptural truth (Matt. 4:1-11). If you are being tempted in a specific area, take your concordance and make a list of Scriptures that deal with that sin and trust in them during moments of temptation. Finally, we must take advantage of the God-given ways of escape (1 Cor. 10:12-13). Think of how you have been tempted in the past. Intentionally avoid those things, places, and people that tempt.

Catechism

Question 45

Q. What is required in the second commandment?

A. The second commandment requires the receiving, observing (Deut. 32:46 Mt. 28:20), and keeping pure and entire all such religious worship and ordinances as God has appointed in his Word (Deut. 12:32).

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Prayer

“Arise, O God, judge the earth: for Thou shalt inherit all nations” Psalm 82:8.

Today’s Hymn

Words: Reginald Heber, 1826. Heber wrote this hymn for Trinity Sunday while he was Vicar of Hodnet, Shropshire, England.

HOLY HOLY HOLY
Click here for tune.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, bless-ed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, bless-ed Trinity!

Thought Provoker

What do you think of when you hear or speak the word, “government”? Some today see a great demonic entity ready to oppress believers, while others see a reasonable—if imperfect—bureaucracy that generally is helpful. In either case, the government is made up of fallen human beings, sinners who shall naturally sin against their fellow man through the misuse of power. Is there a way for government (a body of people) to do only that which is right? Although there will be no perfection this side of glory, a government can be a great blessing when people live in the fear of God.

Dad’s Study

King David was a man who understood the benefits and dangers of government, and as we encounter his last Psalm or song we find him thinking about how he governed. Read v. 1. David expresses his humility in that he was “raised up on high” by God, and was thankful. He, a lowly shepherd boy, was elevated to be the king of Godís people. Read v. 2. God anointed him (Messiah means “anointed one”), and made David to speak His Word. Now read verses 3-7. God said, “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

“Here, in America, our form of government is a republic. That is, we elect those who represent us, but they must represent what is right and good and pure even if chafed against by the people. God’s divine purpose for government is to execute His justice here on earth. What is ëjustí is what conforms to God’s Word. True justice is achieved when elected leaders follow the law of God rather than what is popular. King David said that such rulership is like the light of the morning – it is crystal clear as to its purpose and effects. And this order and surety (security) were the hallmark of his own ruling over Israel. See verse 6 again: Belial (“worthless ones”) are like thorns and one cannot grasp them in the hand. If worthless people are the “government,” they will only bring wounds to the people. According to David, how are the people to respond to an unjust, unholy government that refuses to fear the only true God? (v. 7) How will God eventually deal with such wicked people?

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Give thanks to God for his sovereign rule over your nation through government. Pray as a family for those in authority over you.

—Pastor Craig Chambers

Catechism

Question 44

Q. Which is the second commandment?

A. The second commandment is, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

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Prayer

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies (Psalm 18:1-3).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Reginald Heber, 1826. Heber wrote this hymn for Trinity Sunday while he was Vicar of Hodnet, Shropshire, England.

HOLY HOLY HOLY
Click here for tune.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, bless-ed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, bless-ed Trinity!

Thought Provoker

Times of victory give rise to boasting. The winning boxer pounds his chest and cries out, “I am the greatest”! The conquering nations boast of their power and might. David was a king who was a man after God’s own heart but not after man’s own heart. He had many enemies that both hated and attacked him. As he reflected on his many victories, how did David boast (v. 1)?

Dad’s Study

As David reflected on the defeats of all of his enemies he burst out in a song of praise to God (v. 1)! Many songs were written in the Bible in response to a great victory. For example, Israel sang praises for their deliverance from bondage along with the drowning of the Egyptians (Ex. 15). Again, they sang when God gave them water (Num. 21:17) and Moses ended his wilderness wanderings (Deut. 3:22). The entire 22nd chapter of 2 Samuel is a song of praise to God. Unlike modern “praise” songs, this is not a short, repetitious “ditty”, rather an in-depth praise of God’s goodness. If you place this chapter alongside Psalm 18 you will find them almost identical. It must have been sung by David on different occasions whenever he reflected on God’s gracious hand in his life. We don’t have the music but let’s observe the depth of these great lyrics.

David opened his song by exalting the greatness of God. Discuss with your family the imagery David used when he described God as a “rock,” “fort,” “deliverer,” “shield,” “horn of salvation,” “high tower,” “refuge,” and “savior” (vs. 1-4). David then lifted up praise to God for His delivering mercies (vs. 5-20). It was during his weakness that David cried out in faith for God to deliver him. God wonderfully answered his prayers (vs. 7-8). Point out to your family the number of ways in which David described God’s power (vs. 5-20). What reasons does David give for God’s interventions (vs. 21-28)? David also gave God the glory for enabling him to persevere during times of tribulation (vs. 29-36). The song closes with a description of God’s many wonderful accomplishments (vs. 37-51).

In addition to praising God, what was David’s other purpose for his song? Divine deliverance (all deliverances are divine) not only calls for praise to God but also proclamation to the unsaved of the world!

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Has your family recently experienced God’s kind hand of deliverance? Has He provided jobs, financial aid, physical strength, or victory over the old enemies: the flesh, world, and Satan? Make a family list of divine deliverances. Which of His divine attributes did He display? Bow together and praise the powerful God who delights in blessing His people. Discuss ways you can glorify God for His victories in the midst of your unsaved family and friends.

Catechism

Question 44

Q. Which is the second commandment?

A. The second commandment is, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

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Prayer

“Searcher of hearts, it is a good day when thou givest me a glimpse of myself; sin is my greatest evil, but thou art my greatest good; I have cause to loathe myself, and not to seek self-honour, for no one desires to commend his own dunghill. My country, family, church fare worse because of my sins, for sinners bring judgment in thinking sins are small, or that God is not angry with them.”
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.

Today’s Hymn

Words: Horatius Bonar, Hymns of Faith and Hope, third series, 1866.

FILL THOU MY LIFE
Click here for tune.

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God,
In every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim
Thy being and Thy ways.
Not for the lip of praise alone,
Nor e’en the praising heart
I ask, but for a life made up
Of praise in every part!

Praise in the common words I speak,
Life’s common looks and tones,
In fellowship in hearth and board
With my belovèd ones;
Not in the temple crowd alone
Where holy voices chime,
But in the silent paths of earth,
The quiet rooms of time.

Fill every part of me with praise;
Let all my being speak
Of Thee and of Thy love, O Lord,
Poor though I be, and weak.
So shalt Thou, Lord, from me, e’en me,
Receive the glory due;
And so shall I begin on earth
The song forever new.

So shall each fear, each fret, each care
Be turned into a song,
And every winding of the way
The echo shall prolong;
So shall no part of day or night
From sacredness be free;
But all my life, in every step
Be fellowship with Thee.

Thought Provoker

On September 11, 2001 a great calamity was perpetrated against America. There have been many explanations given why this has happened, but one which most Americans don’t want to consider is that God has brought this calamity upon us because of our sins as a nation. We have become a nation where sexual immorality is now considered to be normal behavior. Fornication, adultery, and homosexuality are condoned and openly approved of by many. We have murdered millions of unborn children in the name of personal freedom. If our government were to condone such immorality, could this cause God to judge us as a nation? Could this cause God to bring calamities upon us? Is there any example in Scripture where God brought trouble upon a nation as the result of its leaders setting a course of national policy contrary to the Word of God?

Dad’s Study

Israel suffers three years of famine and this causes David, as the federal head of Israel, to seek the Lord’s presence regarding this calamity. David’s response in the time of distress is to seek the Lord. The Lord brings to remembrance past sins of the nation Israel in their treatment of the Gibeonites. In Joshua 9:15 Israel made a covenant of peace with the Gibeonites, and Saul, as the federal head of Israel, had not honored that covenant, and had shed the blood of the Gibeonites. It had been approximately 30 years since Saul’s death; this sin was long in the past, yet sin that is not atoned for is not forgotten by God. God’s judgments are complete and omit nothing. God reveals to David that the current affliction is the result of national sin.

God does not tell David what to do; he merely brings it to his attention. David turns to the Gibeonites to seek what he must do to atone for this sin. The Gibeonites request that atonement be made by the execution of descendants of Saul. This is in accord with the principles set forth in Numbers 35:31-33 calling for capital punishment. It is also in accord with the principles of Scripture in Exodus 20:5 and 34:7 that say that the iniquity of the fathers will be visited on the sons to the 3rd and 4th generations. So David selects those of the house of Saul to answer for this crime. Yet, David is mindful that he not repeat Saul’s sin by not honoring a covenant. David had made a covenant to care for Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son. He honors that and does not select him as one to die. To do so would have been to repeat Saul’s sin. David selects 7 men, 2 of Saul’s sons and 5 of his grandsons, causing the 2nd and 3rd generations to bear this curse.

Some might argue that this is unfair, that these 7 men had committed no sin, therefore it is unjust to forfeit their lives. In fact Ezekiel 18:19-20 states that the son who has committed no iniquity shall not bear the consequences of the father’s wickedness. How do we reconcile the matter of justice? We know that this was just in the sight of God because verse 14 tells us that God was moved by this and relented in the famine. But how can God be pleased? The answer lies in Ezekiel 18:20. It states that the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. From that we know that the 7 who died somehow shared in the wickedness of Saul’s iniquity. Perhaps the same sinful nationalist pride that prompted Saul to sin against God by not honoring the covenant with the Gibeonites was also present in the lives of these men. Scripture does not give us the details, but we know the judgments of God are just and in accord with His Word. Matthew Henry said this about such providences of God:

It is not for us to object against the people’s smarting for the sin of their king; perhaps they helped him. Nor against this generation suffering for the sin of the last. God often visits the sins of the fathers upon the children, and he gives no account of any matters. Time does not wear out the guilt of sin; nor can we build hopes of escape upon the delay of judgments. If we cannot understand all the reasons of Providence in this matter, still we have no right to demand that God should acquaint us with those reasons. It must be right, because it is the will of God, and in the end it will be proved to be so.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

What practical truths can be applied from today’s lesson?

First is the need to honor our word. When we make a promise (oath or covenant), we must keep it. God takes the matter of promises very seriously and we must live up to our word. When we make a promise and then break it, it is a sin. God punishes individuals for not keeping their word, just as we saw Him punish Israel in 2 Samuel 21 today. Therefore, we should not make promises quickly or rashly. We should only promise what we know we can keep. James 5:12 is good advice, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”

The second lesson to be learned from today’s passage is that when affliction arises we must search out our hearts and see if this is a consequence of sin in our life. Are you in a time of spiritual famine where God seems distant? Do as David and inquire of the Lord, seek his presence and ask Him to reveal your own heart to you. Let our prayer be as the Psalmist’s, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24.

Catechism

Question 43

Q. What is required in the first commandment?

A. The first commandment requires us to know (1 Chron. 28:9), and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God (Deut. 26:17), and to worship and glorify him accordingly (Mat. 4:10).

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Prayer

“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 5:20-23).

Today’s Hymn

Words: Horatius Bonar, Hymns of Faith and Hope, third series, 1866.

FILL THOU MY LIFE
Click here for tune.

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God,
In every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim
Thy being and Thy ways.
Not for the lip of praise alone,
Nor e’en the praising heart
I ask, but for a life made up
Of praise in every part!

Praise in the common words I speak,
Life’s common looks and tones,
In fellowship in hearth and board
With my belovèd ones;
Not in the temple crowd alone
Where holy voices chime,
But in the silent paths of earth,
The quiet rooms of time.

Fill every part of me with praise;
Let all my being speak
Of Thee and of Thy love, O Lord,
Poor though I be, and weak.
So shalt Thou, Lord, from me, e’en me,
Receive the glory due;
And so shall I begin on earth
The song forever new.

So shall each fear, each fret, each care
Be turned into a song,
And every winding of the way
The echo shall prolong;
So shall no part of day or night
From sacredness be free;
But all my life, in every step
Be fellowship with Thee.

Thought Provoker

There is a football strategy that Satan is very familiar with called, “sack the quarterback.” This strategy has the offense focusing their attack on one man, the quarterback. Rough him up! Take him out! And the whole team falls with him. Satan takes the same approach. He directs his crosshairs at the spiritual leader. Take out the leader and you damage the kingdom of God.

Dad’s Study

David is politically weakened after Absalom’s failed rebellion. A man by the name of Sheba decides to take advantage of David’s weakness by taking aim at God’s man (v. 1). What would motivate Sheba to rebel against David? We know from this chapter that he is the son of a Benjamite. Perhaps his allegiance was with Saul. If so his appeal would have been to followers of Saul and his family. His strategy was simply to divide and conquer by appealing to the northern Israelites. His rallying cry was three-part (v.1):

1. “We have no part with David.” This was an attack on the king’s sovereignty and God’s choice of David as King.
2. “Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse.” This was an attack on David’s royalty by emphasizing his humble beginnings as the son of a farmer.
3. “Every man to his tents, O Israel.” This was a call to rebellion. A cry to follow Sheba, not David.

The slogan proved effective. Every man of Israel departed from David and followed Sheba (v. 2).

David raised up guards under the leadership of Abishai to go and pursue Sheba (v. 6). Joab’s men, along with all the mighty men, chased after Sheba. Sheba thought he would find safety behind the city walls of Abel. David’s men began a siege of the city by battering the walls to knock them down (v. 15). A woman yelled, pleading with them not to destroy the city and its inhabitants. Joab said they would cease if the city would hand over Sheba. The people of Abel sought out Sheba and cut off his head and cast it over the wall (v. 22). The trumpet blew, calling David’s men to return to Jerusalem. God once again protected His appointed king.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

There are modern day Shebas prowling around, taking aim at the man of God. If he can take out a pastor he can defeat a church. If he can remove a husband he can defeat a family. The man of God must keep a vigilant lookout for those who are about to attack. Those who undermine his leadership and call others to follow him.

Today’s passage ends with a strong warning to any who take aim at God’s man. When you attack the man of God you attack God Himself. God will vindicate His leaders. You can run from Him but you cannot hide.

Catechism

Question 43

Q. What is required in the first commandment?

A. The first commandment requires us to know (1 Chron. 28:9), and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God (Deut. 26:17), and to worship and glorify him accordingly (Mat. 4:10).

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