March 9, 2025
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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Please note that Daylight Saving Time begins March 9. We spring forward one hour!
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Psalm 91 is a stunning assurance of protection. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” With God as our shelter and protective shadow we have a safe place in times of trouble. Thus the psalm lists the many and various threats from which God proves himself our refuge and fortress: “the deadly pestilence…the terror of the night…evil…plague” will not harm those who have placed themselves into God’s safe keeping.
The psalm then ends with assuring promises. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” Yet these promises were denied to the One who most held fast to God in love. Jesus cried out to God in his deep trouble, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me…” But God treated Jesus as though he had no claim upon his promises. God treated Jesus as unfaithful and forsaken who deserved no deliverance.
What, then, shall we make of the promises of Psalm 91? Do we conclude that God break his promises and abandons those who have loved him the most? Certainly not! Rather, we see that Jesus was treated as a sinner before God because he made himself one with us. We are sinners and actually deserve to be forsaken. But Jesus united himself to us, and our sad and miserable reality was imputed to him.
But, of course, Jesus’ story does not end with his being denied and forsaken. The final promise of Psalm 91 was fulfilled for him in the most literal and superlative way. “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Jesus was raised from the dead and he lives forever in light and glory. And Jesus who lovingly united himself to us in our sorrow is one with us still. In Jesus we are assured. When all seems lost and to be at an end, God is not done. We are in Jesus. And we, in him, will see all of God’s promises fulfilled in the most glorious way.
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Growth Resources
This year: Please see the full list of 2025 books as well as Bible reading plans on our church webpage.
This month: We are reading "To Seek and to Save: Daily Reflections on the Road to the Cross" by Sinclair Ferguson.
This week: We are reflecting upon Shorter Catechism Q. & A. 10.
Everyday: Noted pastor and theologian Sinclair Ferguson posts a short reflection every day, each around 5 minutes long. "Things Unseen" cover various aspects of the Christian life, worship, and theological topics in a very accessible and edifying way. We encourage you to incorporate this into your daily life. Please see this page for more information. There you will find links to various podcast platforms as well as YouTube page.
Upcoming Events and Notices
March 9 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for fellowship meal after the service.
March 12 (Wednesday 7 PM): The Zoom study of the Pentateuch will resume. Meeting ID: 885 5287 2349 / Passcode: 711992
March 16 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for Sunday School lesson from “Essential Truths of the Christian Faith” Ch. 47 “Human Beings as Flesh and Spirit.” Also March 23.
March 30 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for our annual congregational meeting for the purpose of adopting the budget for fiscal year 2025–26. All communicant members are requested to attend.
Thank you for your continued support of Grace Fallbrook (PCA). Your loving support makes the proclamation of the gospel and the building up of the saints possible. Please visit gracefallbrook.church/give and click on "Give Online Now." You will be directed to the PCA Foundation where you can give towards Grace Fallbrook (PCA).