We must seek the truth that will set us free from all these lies

May 8, 2016

Worship: Rock of Ages (When the Day Seems Long) by Sarah McCracken

TEXT: Sandra McCracken

MUSIC: Kevin Twit

1. Rock of Ages, when the day seems long 
From this labor and this heartache, I have come 
The skies will wear out, but you remain the same 
Rock of Ages, I praise your name

2. Rock of Ages, you have brought me near 
You have poured out your life-blood, your love, your tears 
To make this stone heart come alive again 
Rock of Ages, forgive my sin.

Chorus: Rock of ages. Rock of ages. 
Bind your children until the kingdom comes. 
Rock of ages your will be done

3. Rock of Ages, when in want or rest, 
My desperate need for such a Savior I confess 
Pull these idols out from my heart embrace. 
Rock of Ages, I need your grace.

4. Rock of Ages, broken scorned for me. 
Who am I that you would die to make me free? 
To give me glory, (you) took the death and pain. 
Rock of Ages, my Offering.

Repeat Chorus

5. Rock of Ages, "It is done!" you cried. 
The curtain's torn and I see justice satisfied 
Now write your mercy, on my heart and hands. 
Rock of ages, in faith I stand.

6. Rock of Ages, my great hope secure. 
Your promise holds just like an anchor to my soul 
Bind your children with cords of love and grace. 
Rock of Ages, we give you praise.

Repeat Chorus

© 2005 Same Old Dress Music (Admin. by Music Services) (ASCAP) and Kevin Twit Music (ASCAP).Used by permission. All rights reserved

Video: https://youtu.be/0YO4fZUCQAw

Witness:

It’s been 2 weeks since my last entry. Life has been full of turbulence with the dissolution of my youngest daughter’s marriage, the various life groups and Band of Brothers groups I am part of, and the extreme exhaustion that has dogged me with all this going on. Even now as I write, my wife is messaging me concerning Mother’s day and her hurt over the fact that 2 of our 6 children did not wish her happy mother’s day. She is trying to pull me into the fray by arguing that I am siding with the two children. It seems important to her that I “take her side” in this matter. She also has made the whole leaving me and our children’s responses as one of taking sides rather than seeking to understand their reasons for their actions.

As fallen humans, it seems that we desire for people to be on our side. We search and search until we find such people. Like those Paul spoke to Timothy about in one of his letters to him.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 2 Tim 4:3-4 NIV

The truth is disposed of and the lies we tell ourselves become the “truth” to us. How much pain and disappointment and ruin could be avoided if we sought the truth and not listen to the sinful thoughts or irrational emotions or snap judgments that so easily come to us. The devil may be in the mix, but whether these come from “the world, the flesh, or the devil”, we must seek the truth that will set us free from all these lies. The truth found in Jesus and His word. Even if we discover the truth about someone and even if we are right about their motives, we still must not respond in the flesh but in the power of the Spirit and according to the Word of God and with the Love of God that dwells in all His true children.

WORD

Ps 25:6-7 6 Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord. NIV	Ps 25:6-7 6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord. KJV
Ps 25:6-7 6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. 7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.	Ps 25:6-7 6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,  for they have been from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! ESV

What fertile ground these verses are. As I read them I jotted down some observations and grappled with some things in light of what the New Testament says. Today, let me outline this portion of the psalm around a word that appears three times. It is the word “remember”.

I. Remember Who You Are

II. Don’t Remember Who I Was or Am

III. Remember Me in light of Who You Are

Various terms will also have to be defined. What do the terms: remember, mercy, love, and good mean here?

Certain questions need to be answered such as:

            - Does the first part of verse 7 refer to past sins only or to past and present?

            - How do we understand David’s request in light of what we know of                                    forgiveness as taught in the New Testament?

I will stop here because it is late and I want to take some time reviewing and expanding on these things.