Easter Sunday was amazing! The refreshment team put a veritable feast together. Garrick and the worship team were fabulous. I hope God challenged you through His Word, and we had plenty of guests. Above all else, Jesus was lifted up and recognized as the resurrected King that He is.
I like to begin each month’s weekly email on prayer, specifically praying a psalm. This week I want to focus on Psalm 21. It’s a psalm that begins by praising God (verse 1) – fitting for us after such a wonderful Easter celebration. The psalmist praises God because He has delivered the king (verses 2-7) – also appropriate as God shows His faithfulness by giving all authority to the risen Jesus in Matthew 28.
Not only does the psalmist celebrate what God has done, but he is confident of what God will do – continue to save (verses 8-12). Why wouldn’t he be? God has already proven his character. The final result is the praise of all God’s people (verse 13). Give it a look.
TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.
O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.
Selah
3 For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
4 He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6 For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.
8 Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9 You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them.
10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from among the children of man.
11 Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
12 For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows.
13 Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.
What does this ancient poetry have to do with our lives? I’m glad you asked.
Let’s pause here. You were praying for friends and family members during Easter. You prayed that they would make it to church and, if they didn’t, that God would somehow make Himself known to them. In many cases it worked. We had several guests on Sunday and I know that God was working in the lives of some who weren’t even at the Branch on Sunday. God has been answering our prayers as we lifted up the King of Kings on Sunday.
But this psalm isn’t just about what God has done, but what He will do. For us, this encourages us all the more to keep praying. Pray that the person you brought will be encouraged to take the next step in their relationship with God.
Pray that God would continue to work in that person who didn’t accept your invitation. God’s not on the same timeline we are. Keep praying. He is faithful and we never know what He’s really up to … but our prayer will be time well spent.
I can’t wait to see you again on Sunday!
Reminders
- Branch Birthday Party this Sunday after church! Come on over to Rossmoor Park after service. We’ll have lunch, a bounce house, games, and a great time to hang out and celebrate what God has done and what He will continue to do at the Branch!
- We begin a new series this Sunday – “Revived by Resurrection.” I hope you join us!