Psalter selection: 80. This meditation explores two familiar metaphors for God's people: sheep under the Good Shepherd and a vine brought out of Egypt. Both find their fulfillment in Jesus who calls Himself the Good Shepherd and the True Vine, and the psalm's refrain 'cause your face to shine and we shall be saved' expresses the promise of restoration in Christ.

Prayer is made effective by the work of Jesus Christ, therefore, pray with confidence.

God desires all men to be saved, therefore pray all kinds of prayer for all kinds of people to come to salvation.

Christ uses church discipline to rescue the spiritually shipwrecked; so take up the good fight of the faith by humbly embracing this gracious provision.

Psalter selection: 79A. This deep lament over the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem highlights the concept of atonement, the payment for sins foreshadowed in Old Testament sacrifices and fulfilled in Christ the Lamb of God. The psalm teaches that God's righteous judgment and the atonement He provides through Jesus both serve to glorify His holy name.

Jesus gives the ministry of the Word for the building up of the saints, therefore take advantage of the preaching and teaching offered by the church.

By faith in Christ and by a good conscience, fight the good fight.

God chooses God's people according to God's plan. And because God is good and He does good, His plan is good and His people He will make good.