Week 1, Thursday

Psalm 4

Psalm 4, from the Scottish Psalter.

Give ear unto me when I call,
God of my righteousness:
Have mercy, hear my pray’r, thou hast
enlarg’d me in distress.
O ye the sons of men, how long
will ye love vanities?
How long my glory turn to shame,
and will ye follow lies?

But know that for himself, the Lord
the godly man doth choose:
The Lord, when I on him do call,
to hear will not refuse.
Fear, and sin not, talk with your heart
on bed, and silent be.
Off’rings present of righteousness:
and in the Lord trust ye.

O who will show us any good?
is that which many say:
But of thy countenance the light,
Lord, lift on us alway.
Upon my heart bestow’d by thee
more gladness I have found,
Than they, ev’n then, when corn and wine
did most with them abound.

I will both lay me down in peace,
and quiet sleep will take:
Because thou only, me to dwell
in safety, Lord, dost make.

Ezra 4

Ezra, chapter 4.

¹ But the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard, that the children of the captivity builded the Temple unto Yahweh God of Israel.

² And they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief fathers, and said unto them, We will build with you: for we seek the Lord your God as ye do, and we have sacrificed unto him since the time of Esar Haddon king of Asshur, which brought us up hither.

³ Then Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief fathers of Israel, said unto them, It is not for you, but for us to build the house unto our God: for we ourselves together will build it unto Yahweh God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

⁴ Wherefore the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

⁵ And they hired counselors against them, to hinder their devise, all the days of Cyrus King of Persia, even until the reign of Darius King of Persia.

⁶ And in the reign of Ahashuerosh (in the beginning of his reign) wrote they an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

⁷ And in the days of Artahshashte, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions wrote when it was peace, unto Artahshashte king of Persia, and the writing of the letter was the Aramites writing, and the thing declared was in the language of the Aramites.

⁸ Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artahshashte the King, in this sort.

⁹ Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions Dinaie, and Apharsathcaie, Tarpelaie, Apharsaie, Archevaie, Bablaie, Shushanchaie, Dehave, Elmaie,

¹⁰ And the rest of the people whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and other that are beyond the River and Cheeneth.

¹¹ This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto King Artahshashte, THY SERVANTS the men beyond the River and Cheeneth, salute thee.

¹² Be it known unto the King that the Jews, which came up from thee to us, are come unto Jerusalem (a city rebellious and wicked) and build, and lay the foundations of the walls, and have joined the foundations.

¹³ Be it known now unto the King, that if this city be built, and the foundations of the walls laid, they will not give toll, tribute, nor custom: so shalt thou hinder the Kings tribute.

¹⁴ Now therefore because we have been brought up in the Kings palace, it was not meet for us to see the Kings dishonor: for this cause have we sent and certified the King,

¹⁵ That one may search in the book of the Chronicles of thy fathers, and thou shalt find in the book of the Chronicles, and perceive that this city is rebellious and noisome unto Kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition of old time, for the which cause this city was destroyed.

¹⁶ We certify the King therefore, that if this city be builded, and the foundation of the walls laid, by this means the portion beyond the River shall not be thine.

¹⁷ The King sent an answer unto Rehum the Chancellor, and Shimshai the Scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwelt in Samaria, and unto the other beyond the River, Shelam and Cheeth.

¹⁸ The letter which ye sent unto us, hath been openly read before me,

¹⁹ And I have commanded and they have searched, and found, that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and hath rebelled, and rebellion hath been committed therein.

²⁰ There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all beyond the River, and toll, tribute, and custom was given unto them.

²¹ Make ye now a decree, that those men may cease, and that the city be not built, till I have given another commandment.

²² Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to hurt the King?

²³ When the copy of king Artahshashtes letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in all the haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and caused them to cease by force and power.

²⁴ Then ceased the work of the house of God, which was in Jerusalem, and did stay unto the second year of Darius King of Persia.

Acts 4

Acts, chapter 4.

¹ And as they spake unto the people, the Priests and the Captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,

² Taking it grievously that they taught the people, and preached in Jesus Name the resurrection from the dead.

³ And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold, until the next day: for it was now eventide.

⁴ Howbeit, many of them which heard the word, believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand.

⁵ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and Elders, and Scribes, were gathered together at Hierusalem,

⁶ And Annas the chief Priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high Priest.

⁷ And when they had set them before them, they asked, By what power, or in what Name have ye done this?

⁸ Then Peter full of the holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and Elders of Israel,

⁹ For as much as we this day are examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, to wit, by what means he is made whole,

¹⁰ Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye have crucified, whom God raised again from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you, whole.

¹¹ This is the stone cast aside of you builders which is become the head of the corner.

¹² Neither is there salvation in any other: for among men there is given none other Name under heaven, whereby we must be saved.

¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were unlearned men and without knowledge, they marveled, and knew them, that they had been with Jesus:

¹⁴ And beholding also the man which was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it.

¹⁵ Then they commanded them to go aside out of the Council, and conferred among themselves,

¹⁶ Saying, What shall we do to these men? for surely a manifest sign is done by them, and it is openly known to all them that dwell in Hierusalem: and we cannot deny it.

¹⁷ But that it be noised no farther among the people, let us threaten and charge them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this Name.

¹⁸ So they called them, and commanded them, that in no wise they should speak or teach in the Name of Jesus.

¹⁹ But Peter and John answered unto them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God, judge ye.

²⁰ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

²¹ So they threatened them, and let them go, and found nothing how to punish them, because of the people: for all men praised God for that which was done.

²² For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

²³ Then as soon as they were let go, they came to their fellows, and showed all that the high Priests and Elders had said unto them.

²⁴ And when they heard it, they lift up their voices to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou art the God which hast made the heaven, and the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,

²⁵ Which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people imagine vain things?

²⁶ The Kings of the earth assembled, and the rulers came together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

²⁷ For doubtless, against thine holy Son Jesus, whom thou haddest anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel gathered themselves together,

²⁸ To do whatsoever thine hand, and thy counsel had determined before to be done.

²⁹ And now, O Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants with all boldness to speak thy word,

³⁰ So that thou stretch forth thine hand, that healing, and signs, and wonders may be done by the Name of thine holy Son Jesus.

³¹ And when as they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God boldly.

³² And the multitude of them that believed, were of one heart, and of one soul: neither any of them said, that anything of that which he possessed, was his own, but they had all things common.

³³ And with great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

³⁴ Neither was there any among them, that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the price of the things that were sold,

³⁵ And laid it down at the Apostles feet, and it was distributed unto every man, according as he had need.

³⁶ Also Joses which was called of the Apostles, Barnabas (that is by interpretation the son of consolation) being a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

³⁷ Whereas he had land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it down at the Apostles feet.

The Heidelberg Catechism

The Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 1.

Question 1. What is your only comfort in life and in death?

That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who with his precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redeemed me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready henceforth to live unto him.

Question 2. How many things are necessary for you to know, that you in this comfort may live and die happily?

Three things: First, the greatness of my sin and misery. Second, how I am redeemed from all my sins and misery. Third, how I am to be thankful to God for such redemption.

Of Domestical Duties

From William Gouge, Of Domestical Duties, 1622.

The first and best stream which issueth out of the forenamed fountain of love is faithful and fervent prayer. This extendeth itself to all things, at all times, throughout the whole course of the childs life. It is the first and it is the last duty which parents ought to perform to their children: even that which they must do without intermission; Pray without ceasing.

Though prayer be a general duty which all Christians owe one to another, yet after a peculiar manner doth it appertain to parents: and of all others they are most bound to it. For the promise which God maketh to a parent is extended to his seed and children, as these and such like Scriptures show, I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed: That it may be well with them and with their children: The promise is unto you, and unto your children. Parents therefore with most assurance of faith may call upon God for their children. For Gods promise is the ground of faith: so far as Gods promise is extended, so far our faith may and ought to extend itself. Hence hath arisen the commendable custom of childrens asking their parents blessing: which intimateth a desire that parents would pray for Gods blessing on them.

This duty of prayer must be performed before parents have children (that they may have some, as Isaak, Annah and others did ) and so soon as children are conceived, especially if they observe them to be quick in the womb (as Rebekah did) and again when they are born (as Zachariah did) and throughout the whole course of their life (as Job did) and when they are going out of this world, and leaving their children (as Isaak did.)

There is no one thing wherein and whereby parents may do more good for their children, than in and by true prayer. God hath sanctified prayer as a means to receive all needful blessing from himself the fountain of all blessing. If therefore Gods blessing be of use to children (what Atheists are they that believe it not?) then also is prayer by which it is obtained.

Let us pray.

Let us pray. A prayer of John Calvin.

Grant, Almighty God, that as we set up against thee so many obstacles through the depravity of our flesh and natural disposition, that we seem as it were to be designedly striving to close up the door against thy goodness and paternal favor,—O grant, that our hearts may be so softened by thy Spirit, and the hardness which has hitherto prevailed may be so corrected, that we may submit ourselves to thee with genuine docility, especially as thou dost so kindly and tenderly invite us to thyself, that being allured by thy sweet invitation, we may run, and so run as not to be weary in our course, until Christ shall at length bring us together to thee, and, at the same time, lead us to thee for that eternal life, which he has obtained for us by his own blood. Amen.

Tonight at your table

Tonight at your table, read Genesis 4 and Matthew 4 with your household.

This week’s question for your table. What is your only comfort in life and in death?