Psalm 140

(As read by Pammy)

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140:1 Deliver me, Yahweh, from the evil man. Preserve me from the violent man;

140:2 those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.

140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips.

Selah.

140:4 Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

140:5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, they have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me.

Selah.

140:6 I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.” Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.

140:7 Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.

140:8 Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked. Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud.

Selah.

140:9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

140:10 Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

140:11 An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

140:12 I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.

140:13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name. The upright will dwell in your presence.

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Psalm 139

(as read by Anne)

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139:1 Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me.

139:2 You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar.

139:3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

139:4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.

139:5 You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.

139:6 This knowledge is beyond me. It's lofty. I can't attain it.

139:7 Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence?

139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there!

139:9 If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea;

139:10 Even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

139:11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me; the light around me will be night";

139:12 even the darkness doesn't hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

139:13 For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb.

139:14 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

139:15 My frame wasn't hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

139:16 Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!

139:18 If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

139:19 If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

139:20 For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

139:21 Yahweh, don't I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.

139:24 See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way

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Psalm 138

(as read by Miranda)

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138:1 I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.

138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.

138:3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

138:4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh, for they have heard the words of your mouth.

138:5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of Yahweh; for great is Yahweh’s glory.

138:6 For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but the proud, he knows from afar.

138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me.

138:8 Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me; your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever. Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.

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Psalm 137

(as read by Jenny)

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137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

137:2 On the willows in its midst, we hung up our harps.

137:3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

137:4 How can we sing Yahweh's song in a foreign land?

137:5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.

137:6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don't remember you; if I don't prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

137:7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, "Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!"

137:8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who rewards you, as you have served us.

137:9 Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

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Psalm 136

As Read by Bonnie & Mosephine

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136:1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good;

for his loving kindness endures forever.

136:2 Give thanks to the God of gods;

for his loving kindness endures forever.

136:3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:4 To him who alone does great wonders;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:5 To him who by understanding made the heavens;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:6 To him who spread out the earth above the waters;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:7 To him who made the great lights;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:8 The sun to rule by day;

for his loving kindness endures forever;

136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:10 To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn;

for his loving kindness endures forever;

136:11 And brought out Israel from among them;

for his loving kindness endures forever;

136:12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:13 To him who divided the Red Sea apart;

for his loving kindness endures forever;

136:14 And made Israel to pass through its midst;

for his loving kindness endures forever;

136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:16 To him who led his people through the wilderness;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:17 To him who struck great kings;

for his loving kindness endures forever;

136:18 And killed mighty kings;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites;

for his loving kindness endures forever;

136:20 Og king of Bashan;

for his loving kindness endures forever;

136:21 And gave their land as an inheritance;

for his loving kindness endures forever;

136:22 Even a heritage to Israel his servant;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate;

for his loving kindness endures forever;

136:24 And has delivered us from our adversaries;

for his loving kindness endures forever:

136:25 Who gives food to every creature;

for his loving kindness endures forever.

136:26 Oh give thanks to the God of heaven;

for his loving kindness endures forever.

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Rachel's Story

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Reading Genesis 29v14-30

Now that may be to some a long passage, but it helps set up the story of Rachel. Sounds like a modern day soap opera like Holby City, Eastenders or Coronation Street doesn't it? Rachel had a fairly complicated family structure as we have seen, so lets try to unravel it!

Rachel's sister Rebekah was Jacob's mother. Rebekah trained Jacob to scheme in order to gain his father's blessing and promised him that she would take the results of the deceitful act upon herself. Rachel became Jacob's wife, but only after Laban had tricked him into marrying Leah, the older daughter first. We can wonder if Rachel encouraged Jacob in his trickery, or if she was influenced by him to think first of herself at the expense of others. Whether his mother and/or his wife influenced Jacob, or indeed if he influenced them, both Rebekah and Rachel serve as examples of the outcome of sinful deceit and discontent.

Introducing Rachel's personal details

So, who was Rachel?

• • Born in Aramea (Syria)
  • Daughter of Laban
  • Second wife of Jacob, her first cousin.
  • Mother of Joseph & Benjamin.
  • Ancestress of three tribes of Israel- Benjamin, Ephraim & Manasseh (Sons of Joseph).
  • Possessed great beauty (Genesis 29:17)
  • Devious (Genesis 31:19, 34-35)
  • Not single-minded in devotion to God.
  • Probably did not put away her idols until shortly before she died.
  • Her sorrow is depicted by Jeremiah (Jeremiah. 31), to signify the sorrow of Israel's people at the exile of Israel to Assyria and Babylon.

Now let us look at some of the main people involved in the life of Rachel: her father, sister, husband and children.

1. Her Father

2. Her Sister

3. Her Husband

4, Her Children

The Story continues

Conclusion

Perhaps there are 3 kinds of people here tonight.

Firstly, if you are a Christian here tonight, how and in what way are you like Rachel? As you go through your day, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you ways in which you may well be deceitful, vengeful, dwelling on the past bitterly or engaged in constant self-pity. Are you like Rachel, headed downhill on a course of dissatisfaction that may end in dishonesty and deceit, or in disappointment and despair? Accept God's love. Believe that in every trial He desires us to draw closer to Him, so that we can be energized by Him and realize that He alone and only He is enough. Ask for forgiveness for dwelling on the past and any inappropriate behaviour where those things were involved. God is faithful and just and will forgive if you go to Him with a penitent heart. Then no long dwell on those things, for they are in the past, are forgotten and not to be remembered any more. So forgetting what is past, go into the future with a new outlook of service to God and others. That way your life will be a living prayer and a living witness to others about the great God you serve, love and worship.

Secondly, you may be a Christian but you are the victim of somebody else's deceit and dishonesty - then forgive them before God and as far as it is possible, ask that person for forgiveness. Bitterness, envy and pride can eat away and cause much misery, sin and depression.

Finally, if it happens that you are not a Christian here tonight, then please do see one of the leaders or myself and we would be glad to tell you how you can be free from a life of dissatisfaction, deceit and dishonesty - both as the victim and perpetrator of such things. Know that Jesus Christ is above deceit, never dissatisfies and is never dishonest - His word is true and He seeks you, to be in a relationship with you, where His love is always serving, always humble and always satisfies. As I said, come and see one of us after if that is you..

Thank you.

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Psalm 132

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A Song of Ascents.

132:1 Yahweh, remember David and all his affliction,

132:2 how he swore to Yahweh, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

132:3 “Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed;

132:4 I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids;

132:5 until I find out a place for Yahweh, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

132:6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar:

132:7 “We will go into his dwelling place. We will worship at his footstool.

132:8 Arise, Yahweh, into your resting place; you, and the ark of your strength.

132:9 Let your priest be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!”

132:10 For your servant David’s sake, don’t turn away the face of your anointed one.

132:11 Yahweh has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: “I will set the fruit of your body on your throne.

132:12 If your children will keep my covenant, my testimony that I will teach them, their children also will sit on your throne forevermore.”

132:13 For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.

132:14 “This is my resting place forever. Here I will live, for I have desired it.

132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread.

132:16 Her priests I will also clothe with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy.

132:17 There I will make the horn of David to bud. I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.

132:18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will be resplendent.”

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Psalm 128

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A Song of Ascents.

128:1 Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways.

128:2 For you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you.

128:3 Your wife will be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house; your children like olive plants, around your table.

128:4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears Yahweh.

128:5 May Yahweh bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

128:6 Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.

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Psalm 124

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A Song of Ascents. By David.

124:1 If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, let Israel now say,

124:2 if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, when men rose up against us;

124:3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;

124:4 then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul;

124:5 then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.

124:6 Blessed be Yahweh, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth.

124:7 Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped.

124:8 Our help is in the name of Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.

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Psalm 126

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126:1 When Yahweh brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.

126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "Yahweh has done great things for them."

126:3 Yahweh has done great things for us, and we are glad.

126:4 Restore our fortunes again, Yahweh, like the streams in the Negev.

126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.

126:6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.

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