Morning Prayer, Wednesday, 07 Oct 2020
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in continual godliness,
that through your protection it may be free from all adversities,
and devoutly serve you in good works, to the glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
“Deliver me from my enemies, O God.”
“For you, O God, are my refuge, and my merciful God.”
(Psalm 59:1, 17)
Preparation:
Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.
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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)
Psalm 59
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God; *
defend me from those who rise up against me.
2 O deliver me from the evildoers, *
and save me from the bloodthirsty.
3 For behold, they lie in wait for my soul; *
the mighty are gathered against me, without any offense or fault of mine, O LORD.
4 They run and prepare themselves without cause. *
Arise therefore to help me, and behold.
5 Rise up, O LORD God of hosts, O God of Israel, to visit all the nations, *
and be not merciful to those who offend with malicious wickedness.
6 They go to and fro in the evening; *
they howl like dogs, and run about through the city.
7 Behold, they boast with their mouths, and taunts are on their lips, *
for they say, “Who will hear us?”
8 But you, O LORD, shall hold them in derision, *
and you shall laugh all the nations to scorn.
9 My strength I will ascribe unto you, *
for you are the God of my refuge.
10 God shows me his plenteous goodness, *
and God shall let me look in triumph upon my enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget it, *
but scatter them abroad by your might, and put them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth, and for the words of their lips, they shall be taken in their pride, *
because their talk is cursing and lies.
13 Consume them in your wrath; consume them, that they may perish, *
and know that it is God who rules in Jacob, and unto the ends of the world.
14 In the evening they will return, *
howl like dogs, and run about through the city.
15 They will run here and there for meat *
and growl if they are not satisfied.
16 As for me, I will sing of your power, and will praise your mercy early in the morning, *
for you have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto you, O my strength, will I sing, *
for you, O God, are my refuge, and my merciful God.
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“Psalm 59” (Deliver Me) – David- Ordinary Man…Extraordinary God
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New Living Translation (NLT)
Proverbs 07 (The proverbs of Solomon)
2 Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.
3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Love wisdom like a sister;
make insight a beloved member of your family.
5 Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman,
from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.
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Consider:
“Deliver me from my enemies, O God.”
“For you, O God, are my refuge, and my merciful God.”
(Psalm 59:1, 17)
“Deliver me from my enemies, O God.”
+ What sort of people were these enemies?
- people with authority and the means to destroy him
- people who delighted in designing ways to entrap him
- people who relentlessly pursued his destruction
- people who were violent, cruel and malicious
- people who persisted, despite his innocence
+ Only God can deliver a believer from such people
When a habitation is beset by thieves, the good man of the house rings the alarm bell; and in these verses we may hear it ring out loudly, “deliver me,” “defend me,” “deliver me,” “save me.” — Spurgeon
“For you, O God, are my refuge, and my merciful God.”
The wicked howl, but I sing and will sing…. Strength has been overcome by strength; not by the hero’s own prowess, but by the might of God alone. See how the singer girds himself with the almightiness of God, and calls it all his own by faith….
With full assurance he claims possession of God as his protection and security…. Mercy rises before him, undisturbed and impregnable, for he knows that he is safe in divine keeping… Away, away, ye adversaries of my soul, the God of my mercy will keep ye all at bay. — Spurgeon
+ Pause for a moment to consider what is happening around you.
- Q: Are there enemies in your household?
- Q: Are there enemies in your church?
- Q: Are there enemies in your community?
- Q: Are there enemies in your country?
- Q: Are there enemies around the world?
+ Who will sound the alarm, if not you?
+ Who will sing their defeat, if not you?
+ Who will pray for them. if not you?
Prayer:
+ For our enemies
O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen.
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“Raise A Hallelujah” – Bethel Music
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Blessing:
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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