Psalm 111
Praise the Lord!
I will praise the Lord with my whole heart.
In the assembly of the upright
And in the congregation.
The works of the Lord are great,
Studied by all who have pleasure in them.
His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever.
He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He has given food to those who fear Him;
He will ever be mindful of His covenant.
He has declared to His people the power of His works.
In giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of His hands are verity and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
They stand fast forever and ever,
And are done in truth and uprightness.
He has sent redemption to His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.
Today, the gathering opened with a reading of Psalm 111. The Iraqi women’s Bible study group meets every Monday morning. The Bible studies are led by staff from an organization called Heart for Lebanon which I mentioned in an earlier post about the organizations that I am working with. The women’s group meets every Monday morning but only gathers at the Our Lady Dispensary twice a month while on the other two Mondays, the group meets in one of the ladies’ homes. I have felt so blessed to have the chance to participate in these gatherings. As we read and discuss the Bible, share in joy and pain as the body of Christ and pray over it with overflowing eyes and hearts, I feel a deep spirit moving through the room. As a woman excitedly calls out the name of the next hymn she would like us to sing and the room fills with a loud joyful call to our Lord, my heart begins to tremble in awe of God’s enduring presence. After prayer and hymns, we moved on to read and discuss the following verse:
1 Thessalonians 5
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
