2026.11.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 104:1–15

Read Psalm 104:1–15

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the Psalmist command his soul to do (Psalm 104:1a)? What does he call YHWH in verse 1b? For what does he first praise Him (verse 1b–c)? For which creatures does he praise God in Psalm 104:2? And what part of creation in Psalm 104:3? And whom in Psalm 104:4? For what action does he praise God in Psalm 104:5? And what part of it in Psalm 104:6-9? In what way does He leave water on land (Psalm 104:10)? For what purpose in Psalm 104:11? And what other in Psalm 104:12? And what other in Psalm 104:13? What does He provide for what creatures in Psalm 104:14? What three things has He especially given man, for what three purposes, in Psalm 104:15? 

For what does our soul bless the LORD? Psalm 104:1–15 looks forward to the opening portion of the public worship of God on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that our souls are to bless the LORD for His Creator-goodness to all His creatures and especially to ourselves. 

In the previous Psalm, our souls blessed the LORD among those blessed hosts who will bless Him forever. Now in this Psalm, our souls bless the LORD among those needy creatures who have a mighty Creator.

God is glorious in Himself, Psalm 104:1-4. YHWH, our God, is very great (Psalm 104:1b). And how has He given to us to begin to conceive of is greatness? With things like light itself (Psalm 104:2a), the heavens (Psalm 104:2-3a), the clouds (Psalm 104:1b), and the wind (Psalm 104:3c). We see these, and we don’t see the greatness of God Himself; we see “clothes” that He has set out for us by which we can see an infinitely greater (but invisible) greatness. That’s His “clothing.” Then there are His servants, who are also invisible to us (Psalm 104:4a) and sometimes appear as flames of fire (verse 4b, cf. Isaiah 6:2). There is a similarity here to the display of Solomon’s greatness in 1 Kings 10:4–5. The Lord has made all this display to take our breath away with His glory!

God acted generously in the creation, Psalm 104:5-14. These verses praise especially the work of the first three days of creation, preparing where the creatures would live. An established earth, gathered seas, and grown plants were all expertly and lovingly designed for the good of His creatures. Even the creature’s neediness—the thirst of the donkeys (Psalm 104:11), vulnerability of birds (Psalm 104:12), and hunger of cattle and men (Psalm 104:14) are all part of the plan for the creature to enjoy the goodness of God’s design.

God acts graciously in providence, Psalm 104:15. Before the Psalm turns back to the creation in the portion that we hope to have next week, Psalm 104:15 focuses on what God does for man as His special creature. God made us capable of gladness so that He would gladden us (verse 15a). God made us capable of a blessed countenance, that images His blessing by His countenance, so that He would make our face shine (verse 15b). God made us capable of resolve, diligence, and courage, so that He would strengthen our heart (verse 15c). 

Later, He would make use of the common elements of bread and wine to communicate to us that Christ gives Himself immediately to us to be our strength and our gladness. So, He both makes creational provision for how these are affected by our bodies and spiritual provision directly to our souls. Thus, He has arranged His providence so that by responding to the provision of wine and oil and bread as means, we would glorify the God Who has made us in His image to enjoy Him.

Let us learn from this portion of the Psalm to reflect make us of God’s goodness to all His creatures  to stir our hearts up to praise—and especially things like wine, oil, and bread… every good provision of His providence, throughout every day, as opportunities to enjoy Him Who gave us to know Him.

What examples of the goodness and beauty of creation has the Lord especially presented you with? What good use are you making of things like wine, oil, and bread for the purpose of turning your heart to the Lord in joy and strength?

Sample prayer:  Oh YHWH, our God, You are very great! You are clothed with honor and majesty! You have made light itself, as if a garment to tell us Your greatness. You stretched out the heavens like a beautiful curtain to tell us the greatness of the One Who made this house and rules over it. Your perfect wisdom and love are on constant display in Your care for the creatures. But You have displayed that wisdom and love most of all to us. Just as You made wine to gladden the heart, be the gladness of our hearts in worship now. Just as You made oil to make our face shine, come now and be the brightness of Your people’s countenance. Just as You made bread to strengthen man’s heart, come now by Your Spirit, and grant that Your Son would be the true bread that strengthens our heart in this worship, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP104A “My Soul, Bless the LORD!” or TPH104B “My Soul, Bless the LORD!” 

2026.11.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 29:22–27

Read Proverbs 29:22–27

Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of man does Proverbs 29:22 describe? What effect does he have on others and on himself? What is the problem with the man in Proverbs 29:23a? With what result? Who will be honored instead (verse 23b)? Against what sort of man does Proverbs 29:24 warn? What other fault does he have? What can trap you (Proverbs 29:25)? But what keeps you safe from that? From whom do many seek justice (Proverbs 29:26)? Where can it actually be found? What do the unjust and the upright think about each other (Proverbs 29:27)? 

How can you avoid getting involved with the sort of people who will destroy you? Proverbs 29:22–27 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that trusting in the Lord, and pleasing Him, is the path to maintaining honor and righteousness.

With this section, the proverbs collected in the time of Hezekiah (cf. Proverbs 25:1) come to a conclusion. 

This section is basically a warning against the unjust man, in his various forms, whom Solomon’s son is to abominate (Proverbs 29:27a), and whose own abominating of himself his son is to expect (verse 27b).

The unjust man is characterized by anger (Proverbs 29:22). If this is a prevailing fault with you, it must be dealt with, because it harms both the community of which you are a part (stirring up strife there, verse 22a) and you yourself (making your transgressions multiply, verse 22b).

The unjust man is characterized by pride (Proverbs 29:23). Don’t be attached to such a man, because he will pull you to the bottom with himself, like an anchor. It is those who are humble in spirit who retain honor.

The unjust man is characterized by dishonesty in material things and speech (Proverbs 29:24). No ruler (or anyone else) should attach himself to such a man. To do so is to “hate his own life”! Watch out for such people, and don’t get entangled with them. And by the grace of God renounce such conduct yourself.

One reason that rulers, and other people, end up accommodating the unjust man is because they either want to please them, or they are afraid of what they might do to them. This is the “fear of man” that “brings a snare.” Man-fear traps you in self-destructive connections with the ungodly.

Thankfully, Proverbs 29:25 gives the solution: trusting in YHWH. If you trust in the Lord, it will deliver you from the fear of man. So, resist the urge to please everyone who seeks your face (Proverbs 29:26a), and seek instead to do whatever YHWH says is right (verse 26b). Justice is maintained by faithful submission to Scripture, not by trying to do what men expect!

Which of the characteristics of the unjust man are you most in danger of bearing? And with which types of unjust men have you made the mistake of connecting yourself? How are you developing trust in the Lord? By what mechanism are you assimilating and applying His Word in order to please Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Righteous for the unrighteous. For His sake, forgive us. By His grace, transform us. Make us the sort of people that it would be good for others to have as friends. And give us wisdom to choose Christlike people for our own friends, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH16A “Preserve Me, O My God”

2026.11.01 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, and 3p)

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2026.10.28 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

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2026.10.25 Lord's Day Livestreams (live at 10:10a, 11:10a, and 3p)

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Learning Christ [Family Worship lesson in Ephesians 4:20–24]

How do we change our conduct? Ephesians 4:20–24 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we put on the new man by learning Christ. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional explores the transformative process of sanctification described in Ephesians 4, emphasizing that believers are called to put off the old self and put on the new man created in righteousness and holiness. It reasons that this renewal is not achieved through human effort alone but through hearing and being taught by Christ, Who addresses His church through the preaching of the Word. The central theme is that the truth of Scripture is found in Jesus, and it is through the Spirit’s work in this teaching that believers are united to Christ and conformed to Him. Pastor highlights the importance of viewing the public ministry of the Word as a direct encounter with Christ, rather than merely receiving human instruction. This perspective shifts the focus from personal weakness to the active, ongoing work of Christ in shaping the believer’s thoughts, affections, and will toward glory.

2026.10.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 4:20–24

Read Ephesians 4:20–24

Questions from the Scripture text: What does Ephesians 4:20 say they had done with Christ? Whom had they heard (Ephesians 4:21)? By Whom had they been taught? What is in Jesus? What are they to put off, concerning what (Ephesians 4:22)? What happens to the old man, according to what? How may we be renewed (Ephesians 4:23)? What are we to put on (Ephesians 4:24)? From where did this new man come? In what was he created?

How do we change our conduct? Ephesians 4:20–24 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we put on the new man by learning Christ. 

Why is our theological learning from Christ’s Word and Christ’s undershepherds (Ephesians 4:11-12), and our theological maturity and stability (Ephesians 4:13-14), and our theological fellowship and ministry unto one another (Ephesians 4:15-16) such a necessity for the growth of the church in Christ?

Because our growth in Christ and walk with Him is, in large part, a function of the mind.

It is in the futility of their mind that the Gentiles walk (and in which we are no longer to walk), Ephesians 4:17.

Having their understanding darkened is a great harm that has come to them as a result of being alienated from the life of God (Ephesians 4:18a).

Ignorance is what we have from ourselves, apart from Christ.

Blindness is the natural/original condition of the heart.

If these things are not addressed, we will lose the ability to feel shame at what is lustful, or filthy, or covetous (Ephesians 4:19).

Over-against this breakdown of the mind (cf. Romans 1:18, Romans 1:19, Romans 1:20, Romans 1:21, Romans 1:22, Romans 1:25, Romans 1:28), our passage presents:

Christ as someone Whom we “learn” (Ephesians 1:20)

Christ as someone Whom we “hear” (Ephesians 4:21a) by the means He has provided in Ephesians 4:11

Christ as someone by Whom we are “taught” (Ephesians 4:21b)

Christ as someone in Whom all “truth” is based and to Whom all truth connects (Ephesians 4:21c)

So we see the apostle piling up the language of the mind in connection with Jesus. And if it’s a corrupt mind that leads to the conduct of Ephesians 4:19, then we are not surprised that putting off that conduct (Ephesians 4:22) and putting on the new man (Ephesians 4:24) is described in terms of putting off what is according to “deceitful” lusts and putting on that which is in “true” righteousness and holiness.

We are to be renewed in the spirit of our “mind” (Ephesians 4:23).

And the first instruction about our conduct toward one another is:

Put away “lying,” (Ephesians 4:25a) and

Let each one of you speak “truth” with his neighbor (Ephesians 4:25b).

Christian life is preeminently theological life. Christian growth is preeminently theological growth. Are you called to be a rigorous theologian? You are, if you are a Christian!

How are you nurturing your mind in Scripture and doctrine? How is it shaping your conduct?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving Jesus to us as the One Whom we hear, and Whom we learn, and in Whom is the truth. Please give us to put off our former conduct and put on the new man, created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP19B “The Lord’s Most Perfect Law” or TPH172 “Speak, O Lord” 

Revealing the Intentions of Our Hearts [Family Worship lesson in Jeremiah 2:29–37]

How does the Lord address and expose our idolatry? Jeremiah 2:29–37 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord addresses and exposes our idolatry through affliction, His Word, tokens of His covenant love, and frustrating our idolatrous efforts. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2026.10.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Jeremiah 2:29–37

Read Jeremiah 2:29–37

Questions from the Scripture text: What were Judah attempting to do (Jeremiah 2:29a)? But what does YHWH assert (verse 29b)? What had He done (Jeremiah 2:30a)? With what effect (verse 2:30b)? And what had they also done to whom (verse 2:30c–d)? How had they treated YHWH (Jeremiah 2:31a–c)? What did they refuse to do (verse 31 d–e)? What were they, unthinkably, like ( Jeremiah 2:32)? What did they do instead (Jeremiah 2:33)? What had they plainly done (Jeremiah 2:34)? And what did they still claim (Jeremiah 2:35)? How will the fruit of their current idolatry compare to that of their previous (Jeremiah 2:36-37b)? Why (Jeremiah 2:37c–d)? 

How does the Lord address and expose our idolatry? Jeremiah 2:29–37 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord addresses and exposes our idolatry through affliction, His Word, tokens of His covenant love, and frustrating our idolatrous efforts.  

The courtroom vocabulary in Jeremiah 2:29a indicates that when Judah excused her sin, she was actually prosecuting a case against God. But here, as at the judgment, there is no room for man to speak; YHWH simply renders His verdict (verse 2:29b).

The Lord had done several things to testify against them and bring their idolatry to light. He had afflicted them (Jeremiah 2:30a, cf. Hebrews 12:4–11), but they refused to repent (Jeremiah 2:30b). He sent them His Word, but they murdered the prophets (Jeremiah 2:30-31a). He betrothed them to Himself, and gave them tokens of their covenant, but they refused to come to Him for love (Jeremiah 2:31-32).

Instead, they turned elsewhere for love (Jeremiah 2:33). And they ignored the plain evidence of their murders (Jeremiah 2:34). And assured themselves that their affliction had nothing to do with their sin (Jeremiah 2:35). 

The symmetry of the passage emphasizes their blindness and hard-heartedness. To these things, the Lord now adds the ridiculousness of their idolatry’s futility: they had tried this before, and it failed (Jeremiah 2:36), and the Lord will make idolatry fail no matter what (Jeremiah 2:37).  Idolatry fails not only because there is no help in it, but because the Lord actively frustrates it!

Dear reader, there are so many things that we are tempted to depend upon, take ultimate delight in, or be devoted to, apart from the Lord. When He sends affliction, let us take it as an opportunity for self-examination. When He sends His Word, let us not reject or resist it, but take it to hear and let it examine us. When He presents to us, again, tokens of His covenant love, let us relish them, and love Him Who first loved us. And, when He frustrates our attempts to depend upon our idols, let us turn back to Him Who alone can help us. Thus, let us avail ourselves of these means by which He keeps us from idolatry!

What sin have you excused or rationalized? What afflictions are you making good use of as an opportunity for self-examination? How has the Lord’s Word addressed your idolatries? What use do you make of the tokens of His covenant love toward you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for all of the different ways that You address our idolatry. Truly, we are without excuse. Give us, especially, to relish Your tokens of covenant love toward us. And make us to love You, Who have first loved us in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP119H “My Portion Is the LORD Himself” or TPH244 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” 

Whom(!) You Need [Family Worship lesson in Mark 12:13–37]

How can we give to God what is God’s? Mark 12:13–37 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we can know, love, and obey God rightly only in Christ, by His grace. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional examines the interactions in Mark 12, moving from questions about civil authority and the nature of the resurrection to the central inquiry regarding the greatest commandment. It reasons that while submission to government and belief in the resurrection are important, the primary theological focus is the scribe's realization that love for God and neighbor surpasses ritual sacrifice. Pastor emphasizes that although the scribe was not far from the kingdom, he lacked the ability to fulfill this on his own, bringing us to our ultimate need: Christ Himself, Who is our perfect righteousness, required for entry into the kingdom.