Dear Cornerstone brothers and sisters,
The author of Hebrews tells us to run the race of faith with our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. As we go about our day, may our eyes indeed be fixed on our Savior – our Savior who laid down his life for us, who bore the curse for us, who was wounded for our transgressions. Today, may we be in prayer for one another – and for the expansion of the gospel unto the ends of the earth. There is much going on in the life of our church … below are a few highlights and reminders:
1. Tonight is our monthly prayer meeting at the Arendale’s home. Dinner at 6:15 and prayer at 7:00. Please let us know (if you haven’t already done so) if you are coming so we can have plenty of food :).
2. This Sunday we will have our church fellowship lunch. WE WILL BE ORDERING PIZZA for the lunch; but we’ll need some families to bring salad, drinks, and desserts.
3. Our men’s pancake breakfast is next Saturday, May 11th, at 9:00 at Denny’s.
4. Our Cornerstone Spring picnic will be at the McDonald’s home will be Saturday, May 18th. More details to come, but mark your calendars.
5. Finally, this week’s devotional comes from Psalm 139 and speaks to our Lord’s constant presence with his people. I pray that you would be encouraged by the Word!
From the Pastor’s Desk
Mid-week Devotional
“Comfort in Loneliness”
Psalm 139:1-2, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.”
Loneliness. How distressing it is to suffer with loneliness. And loneliness is something with which many a Christian struggles. Whether it is the college freshman overwhelmed by the challenges of the University environment, the adult believer who has not found a spouse and is wrestling with the prospect of a life of singleness, or the stay-at-home mom who simply feels alone in the day-in and day-out monotony of life with a screaming 2 year old, loneliness is an emotion that Christians of all stripes and shapes face.
The Scriptures, however – and especially the Psalms – provide rich comfort and counsel to the lonely. Psalm 139 is a glorious psalm extolling the God who knows all and sees all. The Lord knows us better than we know ourselves – he knows us right down to the very depths of our hearts: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar … even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it” (vv. 1-6). God knows his people – he knows our going out and our coming in. The Lord Jesus as the great Shepherd knows his sheep: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27; cf. 1 Peter 5:4; Matt 10:30). While this thought should strike terror into those outside of Christ (Heb 4:13); O what a comfort it is to those of us who belong to Jesus!! God knows our struggles. Our worries and hardships are not hidden from him. Indeed, our Savior had to made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest” (Heb 2:17).
Not only does God know his people intimately (omniscience), but also he is always with them (omnipresence). He created us; he knit us together in the womb (v. 13). Listen to these words of David: “If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there … If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you” (vv. 7-12). Wherever we find ourselves – no matter how dark the situation – God is with us – He is always with his people (Heb 13:5). To the unbeliever, this is not good news! God knows the sinfulness of their ways and the hardness of their hearts. But to God’s children, O what joy and comfort! No matter how dark the darkness, the light of God’s presence is with his people. Dear Christian, take heart, your God knows you and he is with you.
Have a good week,
Pastor Robert