Prayer
For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength and maketh my way perfect (Psalm 18:28,30-32).
Today’s Hymn
Words: Charles Wesley, 1739. Stanzas 8-10, author unknown, 14th Century; translated from Latin to English in Lyra Davidica. This exuberant song is one of the most popular Easter hymns in the English language.
CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY
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Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia
! Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is o’er, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia
! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Thought Provoker
“Would you just listen for once?” Have you ever, or should I say, when was the last time you found yourself saying something like this to your children. Our children can be easily distracted in their little world and forget the task at hand, much like the little boy in the Family Circus cartoon who always seems to take the longest route home or the lengthier course of action. When we think of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, many times our thoughts center on their disobedience. However, in our passage today, this is one of the few occasions when God’s people obeyed Him without questioning.
Dad’s Study
The second half of Numbers 9 focuses on the cloud and the fire, visible signs of God’s presence with His people during their wilderness journey. Numbers 9:15- 23 contain a repetitious, oscillating account of God’s leadership and Israel’s obedience. More specifically,
1. He was a cloud by day and a fire by night, which points our attention back to the Exodus account from Egypt (Exodus 13). What constant reminder and life lesson would this provide to the Israelites wandering in the wilderness?
2. The Israelites never knew how long they would remain at each encampment. They needed, especially the Levites, to keep their eye on the cloud. For as soon as the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, the people were to move on? What lessons would this teach the Israelites? What principles concerning time, focus, and His return can we gain for our own lives today?
3. The cloud above the tabernacle was the visible sign of the Lord’s presence with His people. Today, where is the tabernacle of the Lord? How should that impact how we handle the tabernacle?
4. The direction in which the Lord would lead Israel was entirely up to Him; yet we read of no complaining or murmuring in our passage.
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Truth in Practice
Using a concordance, read all the occurrences of this word in the Book of Psalms. As a family, list on a large piece of paper these descriptions about the ways of the Lord and hang in a prominent place.
Pastor Jim Stevanus – Calvary Baptist Church, Wabash, IN
Catechism
Question 82
Q. What is meant by the words, until he come, which are used by the apostle Paul in reference to the Lord’s Supper?
A. They plainly teach us that our Lord Jesus Christ will come a second time; which is the joy and hope of all believers (Acts 1:11; 1 Th. 4:16).
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Words: Isaac Watts, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707. Charles Wesley reportedly said he would give up all his other hymns to have written this one. 