May 17, 2026

You can find the order of worship and songs here.

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Where are you going? Are you drifting through life aimlessly? Or are you running a race toward the finish line? In order to answer this question, we need to briefly consider the meaning of the Old Testament Exodus.

What was the Old Testament Exodus all about? We tend to give a very human-focused answer to this question. We might say "God brought Israel out of their bondage in Egypt and led them to the promised land." This is, of course, exactly right. Still, it focuses on the human-side of that momentous event.

What, then, is the divine side of the Exodus? During Israel's wilderness journey, the people moved when God moved, and the people rested when God rested. Numbers 10:35 says "And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, "Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you." That is, the divine side of the Exodus is the conquering march of the Divine Warrior and his victorious enthronement.

Psalm 68 captures this well. It begins with the words that echo Numbers 10:35. Thus Ps 68:1 says "God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him!" Then Psalm 68 brings us to God's enthronement in Zion, "at the mount that God desired for his abode". God ascends to his throne in victory. Ps 68:18 "You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there." Then Ps 68 ends with a glorious reign of the LORD enthroned in his Temple. Ps 68:35 "Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel-he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!"

But did you notice something? When we focus on the divine side of the Exodus, the human side is not diminished. Rather, when we gaze upon God and his power, the blessings we have in Jesus are magnified. Yes, Psalm 68 is about Jesus' conquering march and victorious enthronement as Paul so powerfully expounds in Ephesians 4:7–16. For it is our conquering and victorious Lord Jesus "who gives power and strength to his people."

Exodus is the departure and the beginning of the journey. Jesus on his throne, and the nations bowing in worship is the destination and the end of the journey. The New Testament uses the Exodus as the template for the Christian's life. We are freed from bondage that we may bow before Jesus in worship. And each time we gather to worship the Lord is a sweet foretaste of our journey's end.

Where are you going? Are you drifting through life aimlessly? Or are you running a race?

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Growth Resources

In May we are reading "Good and Angry: Letting Go of Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness" by David Powlison. See also 12 for 26.

This week's Shorter Catechism lesson: Qs. 103–104.

Announcements

May 17 (Lord's Day): Fellowship meal.

May 20 (Wednesday 6 PM): 1 Timothy Zoom Study. Meeting ID: 884 9003 6844. Passcode: 5sUpUi

May 24: Sunday school lesson on Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, ch. 75, "The Apostles."

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).

This Week's Prayers

Please email your prayer request by Thursday to include it in the list for the upcoming week — info@gracefallbrook.church