Charles Spurgeon said of this psalm that it is both a hymn (vv. 1–10) and a sermon (vv. 11–22). Well said. In this psalm David rejoices in song and then he instructs in what could be called a sermon. The Christian needs both. We are invited to praise and we are instructed how to live. Psalm 34 provides us with both.

Paul exhorts Christians to submit themselves, one to another, “in the fear of Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). As we experience the fullness of the Spirit we are enabled to worship together (vv. 19–20). But further, we are to work together towards godliness. This requires several things including, focus and fear—reverence for the Lord Jesus Christ. John Murray said, “The fear of the Lord is the soul of godliness.” May this describe us—together.

We cannot be Spirit-filled apart from the church, and if we are Spirit-filled we will be a part of the church. The church is both the means and the manifestation of being Spirit-filled. Ephesians 5:19–21 gives us the manifestation to worship together and four marks of worshipping together.

The ascension of the Lord Jesus is one of the most important events in the Christian calendar, though it is not always recognised as such. The Lord gave promises regarding His ascension, and because the ascension is His ultimate victory cry over His enemies, it is an important ground of confidence for the believer.

Psalm 32 is one in which David rejoices because of forgiveness experienced at the hand of a gracious God. For readers of this psalm, it presents a truth to be celebrated, and a truth to be applied.

In our previous study of Ephesians, we examined quite deliberately the opening half of this verse. Though not being drunk with wine is not the main point of the passage, understanding this exhortation is nonetheless paramount if we will understand the importance of this second half and all that follows. In essence, what Paul is saying is that now that we are Christians, we are no longer to waste our lives; rather, we are to worship with our lives.

We will examine this verse by asking three questions of it: (1) What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? (2) Why are we to be filled with the Spirit? and (3) How are we to be filled with the Spirit?

Nothing spreads the aroma of Christ around the home like humility. Every believer who would seek to build up their family in Christ must, like Christ, put on the apron of a servant.

Psalm 31 seems to be a psalm that is not particularly well-known in our day. It is not one that is frequently cited. And yet it is a psalm that speaks directly to an issue with which we are all very familiar: shame. In this psalm, we read of David’s war against shame, in which he employed a threefold attack.

We live in a pluralistic age, in which every person serves his own god. Christians, who stand for the truth of the one, true God, are often viewed with suspicion and even opposed for their affirmation of this truth. In Daniel 6, we learn from Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego how to stand for God’s truth in a pluralistic society—even when we are opposed.

When confronted by the complexities and anxieties of life our response is always informed by what we know and believe to be true and reliable. We pull out our coping mechanisms to get us through the tough spot. Our text this week teaches us that there is no better way through our worries than taking it to the Lord in prayer.