Dear Brothers and Sisters, Prayer will be held at the Brown home.

The purpose statement of our friends at Chapel Library reads like this, “Our purpose is to humble the pride of man, exalt the grace of God in salvation, and promote real holiness in heart and life.” This purpose statement captures the heart and soul of our scripture focus this week. In Isaiah 2:10-22, Isaiah confronts the pride that has led to Israel’s wounds. This pride is the basis of all of her false worship, saturation with the world and apostasy. Unable to be satisfied by God, Israel has become satisfied with herself – and loving it. At Bible study this week, we were all aware that God had us here for a reason – to further expose our pride and call us to dependence and humility. When we think we are so wise, so godly, so biblical, so privileged, so thoughtful, so gracious, so sensitive, we ought to think again and look within to what might driving these thoughts and emotions. This week is hereby dedicated to the proposition that we need to examine ourselves, be honest about our behavior, repent of our pride and quit doing the things that are driven by it. John Calvin explained the dangers of pride this way, “The Lord will take from you those things which so highly elevate your minds, and put you in such high spirits. Your confidence is foolish and groundless.” Such is the connection of what he now says, Cease therefore from man, whose breath is in his nostrils.[1]

[1] Calvin, J., & Pringle, W. (2010). Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (Is 2:22). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

The songs are as follows:

I Sing the Mighty Power of God #128
I sing the mighty pow’r of God that made the mountains rise
That spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day
The moon shines full at His command and all the stars obey

I sing the goodness of the Lord that filled the earth with food
He formed the creatures with His word and then pronounced them good
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed wher-e’er I turn my eye
If I survey the ground I tread or gaze upon the sky

There’s not a plant or flow’r below but makes Thy glories known
And clouds arise and tempests blow by order from Thy throne
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care
And everywhere that man can be, Thou, God, art present there

Holy, Holy, Holy! #3
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be

Holy, holy, holy! Tho’ the darkness hide Thee
Tho’ the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy – there is none beside Thee
Perfect in pow’r, in love, in purity

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth, and sky, and sea
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity

Day of Judgment! Day of Wonders!
Day of judgment! Day of wonders!
Hark! the trumpet’s awful sound,
Louder than a thousand thunders,
Shakes the vast creation round!
How the summons wilt the sinner’s heart confound!

See the Judge, our nature wearing,
Clothed in majesty divine!
You who long for His appearing
Then shall say, “This God is mine!”
Gracious Savior, own me in that day for Thine!

At His call the dead awaken,
Rise to life from earth and sea;
All the powers of nature shaken
By His look, prepares to flee.
Careless sinner, what will then become of thee?

Horrors, past imagination,
Will surprise your trembling heart,
When you hear your condemnation,
“Hence, accursed wretch, depart!
Thou, with Satan and his angels, have thy part!”

Satan, who now tries to please you,
Lest you timely warning take,
When that word is past, will join you,
Plunging in the burning lake:
Think, poor sinner, thy eternal all’s at stake.

But to those who have confessèd,
Loved and served the Lord below,
He will say, “Come near, ye blessèd,
See the kingdom I bestow;
You forever shall My love and glory know.”

Under sorrows and reproaches,
May this thought your courage raise!
Swiftly God’s great day approaches,
Sighs shall then be changed to praise.
We shall triumph when the world is in a blaze.

Before the Throne of God
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heav’n He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I Am
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God

Great Is Thy Faithfulness #139
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be

(Chorus)
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love
(Chorus)

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!
(Chorus)