Psalm 143

Psalm 143 - Daily Devotion - 25 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, hear my prayer.
Pay attention to my plea for help.
Because of your faithfulness and justice, answer me.
2 Do not sit in judgment on your servant,
for no one alive is innocent before you.
3 Certainly my enemies chase me.
They smash me into the ground.
They force me to live in dark regions,
like those who have been dead for ages.
4 My strength leaves me;
I am absolutely shocked.
5 I recall the old days.
I meditate on all you have done;
I reflect on your accomplishments.
6 I spread my hands out to you in prayer;
my soul thirsts for you in a parched land.(Selah)

7 Answer me quickly, LORD.
My strength is fading.
Do not reject me,
or I will join those descending into the grave.
8 May I hear about your loyal love in the morning,
for I trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
because I long for you.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD.
I run to you for protection.
10 Teach me to do what pleases you,
for you are my God.
May your kind presence
lead me into a level land.

11 O LORD, for the sake of your reputation, revive me.
Because of your justice, rescue me from trouble.
12 As a demonstration of your loyal love, destroy my enemies.
Annihilate all who threaten my life,
for I am your servant.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 141-142

Psalms 141-142 - Daily Devotion - 24 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

PSALM 141

A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, I cry out to you. Come quickly to me.
Pay attention to me when I cry out to you.
2 May you accept my prayer like incense,
my uplifted hands like the evening offering.

3 O LORD, place a guard on my mouth.
Protect the opening of my lips.
4 Do not let me have evil desires
or participate in sinful activities
with men who behave wickedly.
I will not eat their delicacies.

5 May the godly strike me in love and correct me.
May my head not refuse choice oil.
Indeed, my prayer is a witness against their evil deeds.

6 They will be thrown over the side of a cliff by their judges.
They will listen to my words, for they are pleasant.
7 As when one plows and breaks up the soil,
so our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

8 Surely I am looking to you, O Sovereign LORD.
In you I take shelter.
Do not expose me to danger.
9 Protect me from the snare they have laid for me
and the traps the evildoers have set.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I escape.

PSALM 142

A well-written song by David, when he was in the cave; a prayer.

1 To the LORD I cry out;
to the Lord I plead for mercy.
2 I pour out my lament before him;
I tell him about my troubles.

3 Even when my strength leaves me,
you watch my footsteps.
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see.
No one cares about me.
I have nowhere to run;
no one is concerned about my life.

5 I cry out to you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my shelter,
my security in the land of the living.”

6 Listen to my cry for help,
for I am in serious trouble.
Rescue me from those who chase me,
for they are stronger than I am.
7 Free me from prison
that I may give thanks to your name.
Because of me the godly will assemble,
for you will vindicate me.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 140

Psalm 140 - Daily Devotion - 23 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

For the music director, a psalm of David.
1 O LORD, rescue me from wicked men.
Protect me from violent men,
2 who plan ways to harm me.
All day long they stir up conflict.
3 Their tongues wound like a serpent;
a viper’s venom is behind their lips. (Selah)

4 O LORD, shelter me from the power of the wicked.
Protect me from violent men,
who plan to knock me over.
5 Proud men hide a snare for me;
evil men spread a net by the path.
They set traps for me. (Selah)

6 I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”
O LORD, pay attention to my plea for mercy.
7 O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer,
you shield my head in the day of battle.
8 O LORD, do not let the wicked have their way.
Do not allow their plan to succeed when they attack. (Selah)

9 As for the heads of those who surround me—
may the harm done by their lips overwhelm them.
10 May he rain down fiery coals upon them.
May he throw them into the fire.
From bottomless pits they will not escape.
11 A slanderer will not endure on the earth;
calamity will hunt down a violent man and strike him down.
12 I know that the Lord defends the cause of the oppressed
and vindicates the poor.
13 Certainly the godly will give thanks to your name;
the morally upright will live in your presence.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 139

Psalm 139 - Daily Devotion - 22 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

For the music director, a psalm of David.
1 O LORD, you examine me and know me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I get up;
even from far away you understand my motives.
3 You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest;
you are aware of everything I do.
4 Certainly my tongue does not frame a word
without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it.
5 You squeeze me in from behind and in front;
you place your hand on me.
6 Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension;
it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it.

7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit?
Where can I flee to escape your presence?
8 If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there.
If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.
9 If I were to fly away on the wings of the dawn
and settle down on the other side of the sea,
10 even there your hand would guide me,
your right hand would grab hold of me.
11 If I were to say, “Certainly the darkness will cover me,
and the light will turn to night all around me,”
12 even the darkness is not too dark for you to see,
and the night is as bright as day;
darkness and light are the same to you.

13 Certainly you made my mind and heart;
you wove me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing.
You knew me thoroughly;
15 my bones were not hidden from you,
when I was made in secret
and sewed together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb.
All the days ordained for me
were recorded in your scroll
before one of them came into existence.
17 How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God!
How vast is their sum total.
18 If I tried to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
Even if I finished counting them,
I would still have to contend with you.

19 If only you would kill the wicked, O God!
Get away from me, you violent men!
20 They rebel against you and act deceitfully;
your enemies lie.
21 O LORD, do I not hate those who hate you
and despise those who oppose you?
22 I absolutely hate them;
they have become my enemies.
23 Examine me, O God, and probe my thoughts.
Test me, and know my concerns.
24 See if there is any idolatrous way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 137-138

Psalms 137-138 - Daily Devotion - 21 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

Instead of asking you to think about the two usual questions, Stephen has written a reflection on today’s psalms.

PSALM 137

1 By the rivers of Babylon
we sit down and weep
when we remember Zion.
2 On the poplars in her midst
we hang our harps,
3 for there our captors ask us to compose songs;
those who mock us demand that we be happy, saying:
“Sing for us a song about Zion!”

4 How can we sing a song to the LORD
in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
may my right hand be crippled.
6 May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
and do not give Jerusalem priority
over whatever gives me the most joy.

7 Remember, O LORD, what the Edomites did
on the day Jerusalem fell.
They said, “Tear it down, tear it down,
right to its very foundation!”
8 O daughter Babylon, soon to be devastated,
how blessed will be the one who repays you
for what you dished out to us.
9 How blessed will be the one who grabs your babies
and smashes them on a rock.

PSALM 138

By David.
1 I will give you thanks with all my heart;
before the heavenly assembly I will sing praises to you.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name,
because of your loyal love and faithfulness,
for you have exalted your promise above the entire sky.
3 When I cried out for help, you answered me.
You made me bold and energized me.

4 Let all the kings of the earth give thanks to you, O LORD,
when they hear the words you speak.
5 Let them sing about the LORD’s deeds,
for the LORD’s splendor is magnificent.

6 Though the LORD is exalted, he looks after the lowly,
and from far away humbles the proud.
7 Even when I must walk in the midst of danger, you revive me.
You oppose my angry enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The LORD avenges me.
O LORD, your loyal love endures.
Do not abandon those whom you have made.

REFLECTIONS

I’m sure you find Psalm 137 difficult and troubling to read. I do. But Psalm 137 is good for us, precisely because it is so confronting.

It’s not an excuse for Christians to hate their enemies (Jesus told us to love them). This is a song about Zion, the city of God, which represents God’s plan to redeem people from sin and death and bring them to his place of life and joy. In the Old Testament, Jerusalem symbolised that plan, but with Jesus we are now looking forward to the true, heavenly Zion – the eternal city where God will dwell with his people (Hebrews 12:22).

When the earthly Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, the pagan nations around responded with mocking glee and ruthless destruction. That is why the singer of this Psalm is so agitated. The Psalm is about people who stubbornly set themselves against God’s purposes to save people and to build his kingdom.

We were made to honour God. The heart of sin is to mock him and his gracious plan – and Psalm 137 tells us that mocking and reviling God is the greatest evil and corruption that there is. It deserves a judgment far worse than we appreciate.

But we also need to read this in the light of Jesus. That’s not because (like some people think) the Old Testament is about judgment and Jesus is about love. It’s because only Jesus is qualified to decide both judgment and salvation. Jesus is the one who, on the day of judgment, will say to some, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). But this same Jesus, as he hung dying on the cross, prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). I can’t untangle those things – I can only bow before Jesus, who can and who is worthy and qualified to judge the world.

I find it helpful to remember that every time we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we are praying both those things at once – and leaving God to do the untangling. We are praying for unbelieving rebels to turn to Jesus and enter God’s kingdom; and for those who refuse to the very end, we are praying for God’s kingdom to come in power, as he judges all evil and raises his people to life in his eternal city.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Come, Lord Jesus!

Psalm 136

Psalm 136 - Daily Devotion - 20 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

A reminder: This month, we are using our do-it-yourself method for reading the Psalms. Each day, after the reading, I’ll ask you to reflect on two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his loyal love endures.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his loyal love endures.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his loyal love endures.

4 To the one who performs magnificent, amazing deeds all by himself,
for his loyal love endures.
5 To the one who used wisdom to make the heavens,
for his loyal love endures.
6 To the one who spread out the earth over the water,
for his loyal love endures.
7 To the one who made the great lights,
for his loyal love endures,
8 the sun to rule by day,
for his loyal love endures,
9 the moon and stars to rule by night,
for his loyal love endures.

10 To the one who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his loyal love endures,
11 and led Israel out from their midst,
for his loyal love endures,
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his loyal love endures.

13 To the one who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his loyal love endures,
14 and led Israel through its midst,
for his loyal love endures,
15 and tossed Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea,
for his loyal love endures.

16 To the one who led his people through the wilderness,
for his loyal love endures.

17 To the one who struck down great kings,
for his loyal love endures,
18 and killed powerful kings,
for his loyal love endures,
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his loyal love endures,
20 Og, king of Bashan,
for his loyal love endures,
21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
for his loyal love endures,
22 as an inheritance to Israel his servant,
for his loyal love endures.

23 To the one who remembered us when we were down,
for his loyal love endures,
24 and snatched us away from our enemies,
for his loyal love endures.
25 To the one who gives food to all living things,
for his loyal love endures.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his loyal love endures!

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 134-135

Psalms 134-135 - Daily Devotion - 18 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

PSALM 134

A song of ascents.

1 Attention! Praise the LORD,
all you servants of the LORD
who serve in the LORD’s temple during the night.
2 Lift your hands toward the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.

3 May the LORD, the Creator of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.

PSALM 135

1 Praise the LORD.

Praise the name of the LORD.
Offer praise, you servants of the LORD,
2 who serve in the LORD’s temple,
in the courts of the temple of our God.

3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good.
Sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant.
4 Indeed, the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel to be his special possession.

5 Yes, I know the LORD is great,
and our LORD is superior to all gods.
6 He does whatever he pleases
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all the ocean depths.
7 He causes the clouds to arise from the end of the earth,
makes lightning bolts accompany the rain,
and brings the wind out of his storehouses.

8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
including both men and animals.
9 He performed awesome deeds and acts of judgment
in your midst, O Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He defeated many nations,
and killed mighty kings—
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, king of Bashan,
and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12 He gave their land as an inheritance,
as an inheritance to Israel his people.

13 O LORD, your name endures,
your reputation, O LORD, lasts.
14 For the LORD vindicates his people
and has compassion on his servants.

15 The nations’ idols are made of silver and gold;
they are man-made.
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see,
17 and ears, but cannot hear.
Indeed, they cannot breathe.
18 Those who make them will end up like them,
as will everyone who trusts in them.

19 O family of Israel, praise the LORD.
O family of Aaron, praise the LORD.
20 O family of Levi, praise the LORD.
You loyal followers of the LORD, praise the LORD.
21 The LORD deserves praise in Zion—
he who dwells in Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 132-133

Psalms 132-133 - Daily Devotion - 17 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

PSALM 132

A song of ascents.
1 O LORD, for David’s sake remember
all his strenuous effort

2 and how he made a vow to the LORD,
and swore an oath to the Powerful One of Jacob.
3 He said, “I will not enter my own home,
or get into my bed.
4 I will not allow my eyes to sleep
or my eyelids to slumber,
5 until I find a place for the LORD,
a fine dwelling place for the Powerful One of Jacob.”

6 Look, we heard about it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the territory of Jaar.
7 Let us go to his dwelling place.
Let us worship before his footstool.
8 Ascend, O LORD, to your resting place,
you and the ark of your strength.
9 May your priests be clothed with integrity.
May your loyal followers shout for joy.

10 For the sake of David, your servant,
do not reject your chosen king.

11 The LORD made a reliable promise to David;
he will not go back on his word.
He said, “I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
and the rules I teach them,
their sons will also sit on your throne forever.”

13 Certainly the LORD has chosen Zion;
he decided to make it his home.
14 He said, “This will be my resting place forever;
I will live here, for I have chosen it.
15 I will abundantly supply what she needs;
I will give her poor all the food they need.
16 I will protect her priests,
and her godly people will shout exuberantly.

17 There I will make David strong;
I have determined that my chosen king’s dynasty will continue.
18 I will humiliate his enemies,
and his crown will shine.”

PSALM 133

A song of ascents; by David.
1 Look! How good and how pleasant it is
when brothers truly live in unity.

2 It is like fine oil poured on the head,
which flows down the beard—
Aaron’s beard,
and then flows down his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which flows down upon the hills of Zion.
Indeed, that is where the LORD has decreed
a blessing will be available—eternal life.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalm 130-131

Psalms 130-131 - Daily Devotion - 16 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

PSALM 130

A song of ascents.
1 From the deep water I cry out to you, O LORD.
2 O LORD, listen to me.
Pay attention to my plea for mercy.

3 If you, O LORD, were to keep track of sins,
O LORD, who could stand before you?
4 But you are willing to forgive
so that you might be honored.

5 I rely on the LORD.
I rely on him with my whole being;
I wait for his assuring word.
6 I yearn for the LORD,
more than watchmen do for the morning,
yes, more than watchmen do for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the LORD,
for the LORD exhibits loyal love
and is more than willing to deliver.
8 He will deliver Israel
from all their sins.

PSALM 131

A song of ascents, by David.
1 O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor do I have a haughty look.
I do not have great aspirations,
or concern myself with things that are beyond me.
2 Indeed, I have calmed and quieted myself
like a weaned child with its mother;
I am content like a young child.

3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
now and forevermore!

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalms 128-129

Psalms 128-129 - Daily Devotion - 15 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

Instead of asking you to think about the two usual questions, Stephen has written a reflection on today’s psalms.

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

1 How blessed is every one of the LORD’s loyal followers,
each one who keeps his commands.
2 You will eat what you worked so hard to grow.
You will be blessed and secure.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the inner rooms of your house;
your children will be like olive branches,
as they sit all around your table.
4 Yes indeed, the man who fears the LORD
will be blessed in this way.
5 May the LORD bless you from Zion,
that you might see Jerusalem prosper
all the days of your life,
6 and that you might see your grandchildren.
May Israel experience peace.

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

1 “Since my youth they have often attacked me,”
let Israel say.
2 “Since my youth they have often attacked me,
but they have not defeated me.
3 The plowers plowed my back;
they made their furrows long.
4 The LORD is just;
he cut the ropes of the wicked.”
5 May all who hate Zion
be humiliated and turned back.
6 May they be like the grass on the rooftops,
which withers before one can even pull it up,
7 which cannot fill the reaper’s hand,
or the lap of the one who gathers the grain.
8 Those who pass by will not say,
“May you experience the LORD’s blessing!
We pronounce a blessing on you in the name of the LORD.”

REFLECTIONS

One thing to remember as you reflect on the Psalms in the light of Jesus is that Old Testament believers were mostly expecting material blessings from God in this life, like abundant food, fruitful work, and a rich family life. We were made for those blessings, and when we experience them we should receive them with thankfulness as expressions of God’s generosity.

But unlike Old Testament believers, we don’t get our hopes up or necessarily expect that God will provide us with those things. That’s not because we’re more pessimistic or have less faith. It’s because Jesus rose from the dead, and that gives us a completely new perspective: We look forward to the full experience of God’s blessing when Christ returns and raises us in glory. We expect less of this life, because we know so much more of the hope that is “stored up for us in heaven” (Colossians 1:5). We might not fully understand what the new creation will be like, but it will involve true enjoyment of every material blessing – like feasting and family.

Those are especially important truths to remember when we hear the Psalmists talk about God’s blessings for his people. For some, Psalms 127 (yesterday) and 128 (today) might be hard to read, because they seem to suggest that if you don’t have a spouse and children, you’re missing out on God’s blessing.

Not only does Jesus’ resurrection turn that upside down, but in God’s kindness, he sent us a Saviour who was both single and childless. So when we read these Psalms in the light of Jesus, we can know that they describe rich blessings that are for all God’s children – but (hopefully) we won’t make the mistake of thinking the little “entrée” blessings of this life are the full promise.

And yet … there is one extra blessing of family in this time of waiting: The family of Christ’s church. Children are a gift from the Lord, as the Psalmists say. But we all have received the precious gift of being children and brothers and sisters (and parents and aunts and uncles) in Christ’s family, because through his resurrection, “Jesus is not ashamed to call [us] brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 2:11).

With all that in mind: What parts of your perspective on life do you need to shift in light of Jesus’ resurrection? And what’s one thing you could change to treat your brother and sisters at church more as family?

Psalms 126-127

Psalms 126-127 - Daily Devotion - 14 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 When the LORD restored the well-being of Zion,
we thought we were dreaming.
2 At that time we laughed loudly
and shouted for joy.
At that time the nations said,
“The LORD has accomplished great things for these people.”
3 The LORD did indeed accomplish great things for us.
We were happy.
4 O LORD, restore our well-being,
just as the streams in the arid south are replenished.
5 Those who shed tears as they plant
will shout for joy when they reap the harvest.
6 The one who weeps as he walks along, carrying his bag of seed,
will certainly come in with a shout of joy, carrying his sheaves of grain.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents; by Solomon.

1 If the LORD does not build a house,
then those who build it work in vain.
If the LORD does not guard a city,
then the watchman stands guard in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise early, come home late,
and work so hard for your food.
Yes, he provides for those whom he loves even when they sleep.
3 Yes, sons are a gift from the LORD;
the fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Sons born during one’s youth
are like arrows in a warrior’s hand.
5 How blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.
They will not be put to shame when they confront enemies at the city gate.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalms 124-125

Psalms 124-125 - Daily Devotion - 13 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

First of all, a big apology that we missed most of the devotions last week. We had a miscommunication, and the devotions didn’t get published (I was away for the week, which didn’t help). Back to normal service today!

For the rest of the month, we will work through the last section of the book of Psalms with our “do-it-yourself” devotions. Each day, after the reading, I’ll ask you to reflect on two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus? It could be something about his ministry, his suffering and death, his resurrection, his kingdom, or what God has done for us through Jesus.

But don’t worry if you can’t always think of something – just read, reflect and pray.

Psalm 124

‏A song of ascents; by David.

1 “If the LORD had not been on our side”—
let Israel say this.—
2 if the LORD had not been on our side,
when men attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive,
when their anger raged against us.
4 The water would have overpowered us;
the current would have overwhelmed us.
5 The raging water
would have overwhelmed us.
6 The LORD deserves praise,
for he did not hand us over as prey to their teeth.
7 We escaped with our lives, like a bird from a hunter’s snare.
The snare broke, and we escaped.
8 Our deliverer is the LORD,
the Creator of heaven and earth.

Psalm 125

A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved and will endure forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people,
now and forevermore.
3 Indeed, the scepter of a wicked king will not settle
upon the allotted land of the godly.
Otherwise the godly
might do what is wrong.
4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
to the morally upright.
5 As for those who are bent on traveling a sinful path,
may the LORD remove them, along with those who behave wickedly.
May Israel experience peace.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in these Psalms can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in these Psalms that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Psalms 122-123

Psalms 122 & 123 - Daily Devotion - 6 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

This month, we are returning to our devotions through the book of Psalms. These are like “do-it-yourself” devotions. Instead of hearing someone else’s reflections, each day I’ll ask you to reflect on the Psalm yourself using some simple questions that you can use with any Psalm.

The two questions I’ll ask you to think about are:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus? It could be something about his ministry, his suffering and death, his resurrection, his kingdom, or what God has done for us through Jesus.

But don’t worry if you can’t always think of something – just read, reflect and pray.

Psalm 122

A song of ascents; by David.

1 I was glad because they said to me,
“We will go to the LORD’s temple.”
2 Our feet are standing
inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is a city designed
to accommodate an assembly.
4 The tribes go up there,
the tribes of the LORD,
where it is required that Israel
give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 Indeed, the leaders sit there on thrones and make legal decisions,
on the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
May those who love her prosper.
7 May there be peace inside your defenses,
and prosperity inside your fortresses.
8 For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors
I will say, “May there be peace in you.”
9 For the sake of the temple of the LORD our God
I will pray for you to prosper.

Psalm 123

A song of ascents.

1 I look up toward you,
the one enthroned in heaven.
2 Look, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a female servant look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes will look to the LORD, our God, until he shows us favor.
3 Show us favor, O LORD, show us favor!
For we have had our fill of humiliation, and then some.
4 We have had our fill
of the taunts of the self-assured,
of the contempt of the proud.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

  1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

  2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

2 Corinthians 13:11-13

2 Corinthians 13:11-13 - Daily Devotion - 4 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. 13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Trung Nguyen

When it comes to our church family, does following Jesus make any difference when there’s conflict or sin in our church? 

This passage marks the end of a confronting letter from Paul to the Corinthian church. Paul has rebuked the Corinthians for their sin and worldliness, but he has been motivated by dutiful fatherly love for them. He has rebuked them so that the family of God can be what it is meant to be: a family that encourages each other, agrees with each another, and lives in peace (v11). 

The Corinthian church had gone through some big family conflict, so how could they possibly strive for full restoration after what had happened? The blessing of verse 14 is key: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” The triune God himself will enable the family of God to strive for full restoration and be united. The grace that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ would motivate the Corinthians to treat people with kindness that they don’t deserve. The love of God would empower them to put others’ needs first. And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit would remind the Corinthians of their common bond in Christ, so that they would help each other to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and become more like him.

I know that when there has been conflict with another brother or sister, I haven’t always been the one to strive for full restoration. I’m often content with a little greyness or ambiguity to the relationship, as long as we don’t get in each other’s way. So this passage has reminded me to strive for full restoration and remember that the triune God is the one who empowers His children to strive for restoration between one other. Is there a situation at the moment where you need to strive for full restoration with a brother or sister in Christ? Praise God that He is full of love and peace and is with us always, and ask him for his help to do it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Trung is our Ministry Apprentice at our Fairfield congregations.

2 Corinthians 13:8-10

2 Corinthians 13:8-10 - Daily Devotion - 3 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth. 9 For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified. 10 Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority—the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

REFLECTIONS

Written by Sarah Armstrong

As we start 2025, 2 Corinthians 13 is a good reminder to check ourselves and review our own hearts to make sure we are living as people transformed by Jesus. Just a few days ago, many people around us will have made New Year’s resolutions. I wonder if you did – and if so, was your New Year’s resolution anything like: “I resolve not do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth” (see verse 8)? The truth is, above all else, Jesus’ gospel, so that would be resolving to do all things for the sake of Christ and his gospel. A lofty resolution? Maybe. But in this passage, Paul is giving us a superb example: Jesus is the reason he lives the way he does. We are to imitate Paul as he imitates Jesus – so we should be striving to live as people transformed by Jesus.

So today, just into the new year, why don’t we all take a minute to pray for the specific people in two groups in our lives. First, for those we are ministering to, that they may become “fully qualified” (v9) – that is, fully restored and equipped to live for Christ. And secondly, for our leaders, that they will use their authority – given to them by the Lord – lovingly and gently, in order to build us up and not tear us down in 2025.

What a church community it will be if we are all walking humbly and faithfully with this in mind!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah is our Parish Administrator.

2 Corinthians 13:5-7

2 Corinthians 13:5-7 - Daily Devotion - 2 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless, indeed, you fail the test! 6 And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test! 7 Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test, but so that you may do what is right even if we may appear to have failed the test.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Viet Mai

Having dealt firmly with the rebels in the church of Corinth, who have rejected Paul by claiming that he does not have God's power, Paul will now issue a challenge to the whole church. He is planning another return visit to them. Before he arrives, Paul wants them to examine whether they are true followers of Jesus – that is, whether they have Jesus in them. This is because those who have Jesus in them will recognise that Paul has been sent by Jesus. They will know that Paul’s suffering is not a demonstration of a lack of God’s power, it is the outworking of God’s power.

But merely recognising Paul and his message is not enough. If Paul’s message is from Jesus, then it calls people to live out their faith and to ‘do what is right’ (v7). If they respond to the message in that way, then although Paul intends to return in judgment against the rebels in Corinth, he will not need to – so even if Paul will ‘seem to have failed’ because he does not discipline them, it will really be a success, because all have repented by the power of Jesus.

As we approach 2025, there is still a call to hold fast to God’s word and live it out faithfully. As we do so, I pray that we may remember that God’s power is not just about performing spectacular and miraculous deeds like the rebels in Corinth believed; instead, more than anything, God’s power is about having the strength to obey Him.

Here’s an ancient prayer you can pray with me:

“Go before us Lord, in all our doings, with your most gracious favour, and further us by your continual help, that in all our works begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name, and finally by your mercy obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Viet is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 13:1-4

2 Corinthians 13:1-4 - Daily Devotion - 1 January 2025
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 This is the third time I am coming to visit you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be established. 2 I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you but is powerful among you. 4 For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God’s power toward you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Gus Cameron

If you were with us at church earlier last year, you’ll remember our “Growing in Holiness” sermons. We finished the series by thinking about three deeply personal topics: sex, money and our words. What’s your reaction when the Bible challenges your behaviour in these areas of life? Do you question what the Bible says? Do you feel it’s outdated or even offensive?

As we heard yesterday, the Apostle Paul had rebuked people in the Corinthian church about their sexual behaviour, and it sounded like some people in the church were questioning his right to tell them how to live. In today’s passage Paul responds to those people by reaffirming his authority as an apostle appointed by Christ Jesus.

Paul quotes the Old Testament requirement for two or three witnesses. His “two or three witnesses” are his visits to Corinth. He’s saying, “You’ve seen me twice already and I will come a third time – and each time you’ve heard me speak with Christ’s authority”. He acknowledges that he looks weak, but then, he reminds them, so did Christ Jesus on the cross. And yet, Christ rose from the dead by God’s mighty power. Since Paul speaks with the authority of the powerful risen Christ Jesus, the people in Corinth had better listen to him and accept his rebuke.

We too must listen to every word of the Bible. It has come to us from God by his appointed prophets and apostles. Pray that God would help us learn to accept it as his word to us and so listen to what he is saying to us. When we find that the Bible challenges what we want to do, pray that God would humble us to accept it as both true and good so that our first reaction becomes, “How can I live the way God wants me to?” Pray that he would work in us by his Spirit to live lives that are more like Christ Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gus is one of our Assistant Ministers.

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

2 Corinthians 12:11-21 - Daily Devotion - 31 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

11 I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12 Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance by signs and wonders and powerful deeds. 13 For how were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice! 14 Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives! If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit! 17 I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I? 18 I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother along with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not behave in the same way? 19 Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up. 20 For I am afraid that somehow when I come I will not find you what I wish, and you will find me not what you wish. I am afraid that somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Relationships can be so messy sometimes, even in the church. As I reflected on what went wrong in Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians, I realised there were at least two things that contributed to the breakdown.

First, the Corinthians were misinterpreting Paul’s motives. Some of the other churches Paul had founded gave him financial support, and it seems Paul expected or asked them to. But with the Corinthians, he didn’t want to burden them with that cost. He did that out of love – he was never interested in financial gain or taking advantage of people, he just wanted to see Christ formed in them. But there were false teachers in the church who were saying that, because Paul didn’t charge a fee, it showed that he didn’t really care about them – he must be giving them second-rate service.

I can only imagine how hurtful that must have been for Paul. But the devil still uses that strategy to try to damage the oneness of Christ’s people – he tempts us to make harsh assumptions about each other’s motives.

The second factor in the breakdown was the fact that Paul had had to rebuke the Corinthian church for tolerating sexual immorality. I suspect that made them feel resentful towards him. This part really hit home for me. When I’m rebuked, I often let my bruised ego get in the way of receiving it well.

Pray that God would constantly transform our hearts by his Spirit in our relationships with each other. Pray that, whenever we’re tempted to think badly of a brother or sister, we’ll look for the most generous way of interpreting what they’re saying or doing. And pray that, when we are rebuked for an ungodly attitude, we will receive the rebuke with thankfulness and humility.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 - Daily Devotion - 30 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 It is necessary to go on boasting. Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows) 4 was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred to be put into words, things that a person is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. 6 For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me, 7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me—so that I would not become arrogant. 8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

REFLECTIONS

Written by George Mihas

Over the years, I have often wondered how people who seem to be mighty men and women of God have sometimes fallen in serious sin and scandal. It's all too often that you hear about some international evangelist who has fallen into sin – they got caught in adultery or embezzlement of money and so on.

I think Paul shows us not to think too highly of ourselves because there is a danger of making idols of ourselves. I believe a lot of these fallen Christians we followed and looked up to over the years couldn't handle the fame and every temptation that comes with it.

Things don't always turn out the way we planned in life. There are a lot of disappointments, and maybe just like Paul we are sometimes given a thorn in the flesh. Maybe this is God’s way of helping us and keeping us humble, so we don't fall and we can continue to fight the good fight of faith. He prunes our branches so we can produce more fruit.

This year I earnestly prayed for a certain situation and the opposite happened. I was very upset about it and still am. It's not easy to accept. In this life, I might never have the answer as to why after praying so much the opposite came to pass. But I do believe that if my prayer was answered according to my will, I could have become puffed up and it could have become an idol in my life.

This is my reflection of this part of Scripture: For when we are weak, God is strong.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

2 Corinthians 11:24-33

2 Corinthians 11:24-33 - Daily Devotion - 28 December 2024
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

24 Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with a rod. Once I received a stoning. Three times I suffered shipwreck. A night and a day I spent adrift in the open sea. 26 I have been on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own countrymen, in dangers from Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers from false brothers, 27 in hard work and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, many times without food, in cold and without enough clothing. 28 Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying. 32 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to arrest me, 33 but I was let down in a rope-basket through a window in the city wall, and escaped his hands.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Omar Dewan

This year at work, I was somewhat expecting a promotion. I led important pieces of work through to completion, and was seen as a “go-to” person for getting things done. So when I was told that I wasn’t getting promoted, I was frustrated and confused. I thought, “Did management not see my output and the value I added? Should I have ‘boasted’ about my achievements so they would notice me?”

This passage cuts right into my heart and challenges what I place my value in and where my priorities lie.

In this part of 2 Corinthians, we see Paul defending his ministry against those who see him as “timid” and not as impressive as the “super-apostles”. At this part of his defence, Paul boasts about himself, but not in the way I expect. I expected him to boast about the fact that he:

  • was a highly-trained Pharisee who used that intellect and logic in his defence of Jesus; or

  • travelled throughout modern-day Europe establishing many churches and bringing many people to salvation in Christ; or

  • actually saw the risen Jesus and talked to Him.

Rather, Paul boasts about his weakness in spreading the gospel – how he has suffered physical punishment, personal security threats, worry and anxiety, lack of sleep and an ever-growing workload, as well as hunger, thirst, and cold. But even in this strange “boasting”, Paul doesn’t attribute his perseverance to anything in himself. Instead, Paul’s weakness magnifies God’s glory, power and strength to bring about His divine will and to bring many people into His Kingdom.

Perhaps we can pray that each of us would fix our value to Christ and what He has done for us, and not attribute any achievements in ministry to ourselves. Pray that we would recognise that we could not serve God without Him first saving us from our depraved, weak state through Jesus Christ – and that it is only through His Spirit that we can serve the Lord, despite our weaknesses.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Omar is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.