I actually was able to hear every lesson at our lectureship, and took notes all the way through.  It was a very good five days.  Twenty-six sermons were presented.  Each speaker fulfilled his assignment, filled his lesson with properly used scriptures, and filled our minds with balanced lessons for our edification and motivation.
I have been looking forward to this first part of our series of annual lectures on “Great Bible Words” for a long time, and everything about it went off like a “well-oiled machine.”
Our attendance was also good, as we had the highest numbers ever.  Here are some numbers:

Saturday: Afternoon 84
  PM  84
Sunday: Class  124
  AM   140
  PM  124
Monday: AM  49
  Afternoon 51
  PM  101
Tuesday: AM  57
  Afternoon 52
  PM  104
Wednesday PM  118
The contribution Sunday was $15,794.85.
The tapes of the lectureship are available for $15.00 per set.  You can order by calling, writing, or e-mail.  The addresses and phone numbers are below.
You can also make plans to come next year as we study the second part of the series, beginning with the letter “F.”  The dates will be May 19-23, 2001.

        Skip

“Understandest Thou What Thou Readest?”
 
 

Enemies can create emotions in us. The evidence is that even our equals can cause us to send an exclamation to God for their downfall. So, the inspired poet encourages us to send prayers every day to God about this and to leave the endings up to His judgment.
You will note that the emphasized terms in the first paragraph all begin with the same letter, and they correspond with the points that serve as the outline for our lesson on Psalm 55. As we study the words of this psalm, let us realize that all seven points are important ingredients in the recipe for learning how to deal with the kind of struggles that were in the poet’s life (and those same struggles are in the lives of all of those who love the Lord enough to keep his commandments; John 14:15-23).
I. ENEMIES (vv.1-3).
Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily, Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me.
The first part of this psalm is a “complaint” because of the situation that was created by the enemies of David. The Hebrew word for “complaint” in verse two needs to be defined and understood, for it is obvious that this kind of complaint was not wrong. The word means “the inward or outward expression of sorrow, on which the mind enlarges” (Wilson’s O. T. Word Studies, p. 90). He is pouring out his soul to God in a right way during this awful time for the purpose of receiving and accepting the will of God in settling the issue at hand. The lesson for us is not that all complaining is wrong, but that our complaints are to be taken to God in harmony with His word. David made several strong pleas to God in these three verses in order to demonstrate his desire to be heard and to be relieved from his troubles by the One Who could help.
II. EMOTIONS (vv.4-8).
My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest."
Poetry is one of the best ways to express feelings—emotions—and to do so in a way that gets the attention of all who read the poet’s lines. In the second part of the psalm, nearly every word is overflowing with the emotions of David as he described his present distress and his strong desire for things to be different. Although troubles do give us unique opportunities to be tested and to bring glory to God by passing the tests, we should never underestimate how difficult troubles really are. During these tests, even when we are handling them as we should, we can still be deeply affected by them—and at the same time have an intense desire for the end of the trial to come—soon.
III. EVIDENCE (vv.9-11). 
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it. Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.
Viewing the lives of other people in the light of the Bible (the only reliable standard) allows the servant of God to know that evil is evil and sin is sin.  This is a far different view of things than we hear from those who have a different standard, for they often call evil “good”, and sin “an alternative life style.” David could see from the evidence in the lives of his contemporaries that the situation was desperate. Sin and sinners were having their way in almost all circumstances.
IV. EQUAL (vv.12-14). 
For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.
The really personal tragedy for David is in this part of the complaint—the troubles were due to one who was his “equal.” The idea in this word is that this was one of his closest friends, a counterpart, one of the same rank and station as David was. To put it in more familiar terms, David’s trouble was due to the fact that a “close personal friend” had “stabbed him in the back.” Since David knew the word of God and he knew the life of his friend, he knew that his friend was now in sin. All of the past times of joy and fellowship were nothing more than painful memories. What sadness and grief sin brings to the mind of the saints of God…
V. EXCLAMATION (v.15). 
Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them. 
Tragically, David knew that some things are not going to get better until there are some funerals. Since many of the unrighteous are not going to repent, the kingdom of God is better off if they are moved out of the way by the providence of God. And if this would make our work for Christ more productive today, then may our Father remove our own “former friends” from the picture today.
VI. EVERY DAY (vv.16-19).
As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me. God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah. Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God. 
Daily prayers from David were going to be sent to the throne of God—at least three prayers every day. He would pray about salvation, redemption, enemies, God’s vengeance, and the callous souls of the brash enemies of God.
VII. ENDINGS (vv.20-23).
He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. 
Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. 
But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You. 
The endings include three things. In verses 20 and 21, we are reminded that God is fully aware of that which really is in the souls of the wicked. In verse 22, we are reminded that God will take care of the righteous, who cast their cares on Him. And in verse 23, we are reminded that God can be trusted to deal with the evil ones.
The simple words of the conclusion should be in our souls and on our lips every day—
BUT I WILL TRUST IN YOU.

    Skip Andrews
 
 

NEXT WEEK: 
Psalm 56: 
“I Will Praise My God For His Personal Attention”
 
 

SICK LIST:  Electa Wilson is in Joan Glancy for rehabilitation.  Lewis O’Neal, Myra, and Missy Sellers have been ill.  Several of our members have family who are ill:  April Houston’s grandmother, Johnnie Johnson’s mother, Dennis Clark’s father, Karen Clark’s sister, Belinda Weekley’s sister-in-law, Val Lowe’s aunt, Dave Komisak’s father.  Steve Fishel and Donna Fields are battling cancer.   Let’s remember those who are ill and their families in our prayers.
SYMPATHY: We offer our sympathy to Debbie Gaylord and her family.  Her sister passed away last week in Ohio. 


GROUP 1:  Group 1 is in charge of the services at Plantation South at 1:30.  Also, please meet up front following evening services for visitation assignments.
SEEKING THE LOST:  Class will meet Thursday, June 8, at 7:30 and Sunday evening, June 25, following services.
CHILDREN’S CLASS:  5:30 today.
FOR THE RECORD: 
AM Class   95 
AM Worship   120
PM Worship   106
Wednesday   118
Contribution   $5727
Budget    $6500
BIBLE CAMP:  Please turn in your registration forms to Lynn or Helen.  Also include a check for $30 per camper ($10 for adult workers and $10 for each person for Saturday).  Registration forms must be completed for each person who will be at camp at any time.  The deadline is June 4.   Thanks.
WELCOME:   Lydia Anne Howard arrived at 3:55 AM May 31.  She weighs 8 pounds 5 ounces and is 21 inches.  Katrece and William are doing well—as are big brothers Seth and Nathan.  Congratulations! 
 AWAY:  Ernest Burnette is in Nepal and Paul and April Meacham are in Ukraine.  Norman Fields will be coming home soon