July 26, 2026

You can find the order of worship and songs here.

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There is a difference between finding something useful and finding something beautiful. Is God's word useful to you or beautiful to you? Many people find God's word useful — useful to find inner peace, for building a good marriage, for raising children, etc. But the problem of such an utilitarian view of the Bible is that the moment we feel ourselves free of any particular needs, we do with the Bible what we do with our tools (wrench, screw drivers, etc.) — we put them out of sight and out of mind until we next need them. Or, we may replace the Bible with something else that promises to be more useful the way we replace our worn out tools.

In Psalm 119:129–136 we come face to face with an entirely different mindset. It is offputting and weird if we never saw the Bible as anything more than a useful tool (for whatever goal we had in mind). Instead, the psalmist sings of the beauty of God's word. "Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them." The psalmist cannot stop thinking about it. Nothing pleases him more than understanding it better. "The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." And he is anxious to keep away anything that will hinder his enjoyment of God's word: "…let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts." He longs for it like the thirsty man longs for water and the hungry for food. "I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments."

What can explain this deep love for God's word? The answer is clear. The psalmist knows who it is that is speaking in Scriptures. "Your testimonies … The unfolding of your words … your commandments … those who love your name … according to your promise … Make your face shine upon your servant … My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law." The psalmist finds Scripture beautiful because it is the Word of the Lord whom he loves with all his heart. The Word is beautiful because the One who speaks through it is worthy of every praise. Do you agree?

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Growth Resources

In July we are reading "You Were Never Meant to Do It All: A 40-Day Devotional on the Goodness of Being Human" by Kelly Kapic. See also 12 for 26.

Announcements

The mid-week Bible study will resume in September with Daniel.

Sunday school lessons will resume in September.

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