Isn’t it fascinating to see the connections between these first few psalms in the psalter? After David declares that he will “lay down and sleep” in the midst of his enemies in Psalm 3, the image of “sleep” comes again in Psalm 4. Here we see David giving thanks for relief amid distress, then sleeping “in peace” (vs. 8). Many…
Since we were first planted, Parish has been a church that has prioritized singing the psalms. The section of our worship service called “God speaks to His people through His Word” always includes at least one psalm (this week it’s a setting of Psalm 149, which is also our Call to Worship), and often we’ll sing several more psalms throughout…
At the close of Haggai’s prophecy, the people of Israel face the monumental task of completing the rebuilding of the temple. But the prophet leaves them with a comforting note—that they are uniquely called to the task (“I have chosen you,” Haggai 2:23). As the hymns and Scriptures in the rest of the service indicate, the Lord will prosper the…
This morning’s passage from Haggai deals with the question of cleanliness versus uncleanliness. Are the people made clean by their work on the Lord’s temple? No—Haggai reminds them that all their works and offerings are still unclean (Haggai 2:14). But unlike the returning exiles, we can sing this morning of the finished work of Christ. We will declare that “His…
Nearly every element in this morning’s service can be tied to three verses in the sermon text. In Haggai 2:7, the Lord makes two promises: to “shake all nations” and to fill His house with their treasures. The opening and closing psalms that we sing this morning address both. In Why Do Gentile Nations Rage—Psalm 2, we find the Lord…
After calling His people to a great work at the opening of Haggai’s prophecy, the Lord assures them in verse 13 that He will enable them to accomplish this monumental task. Likewise, many of the hymns and readings in today’s service emphasize God’s provision for our own callings. The Lord promises to prosper our work (Praise to the Lord, The…