Series Introduction: 

Today begins the third week of Lent, and I’m excited to continue our sermon series called "The Songs of Lent." Each week, we explore a different Psalm to help us get closer to God's heart and better understand the depth of His love shown through Christ's sacrifice. This week, we're examining Psalm 95, which calls us to worship and give thanks. During this time of reflection and preparation, having a grateful attitude is crucial. Even as we acknowledge our shortcomings and seek God's forgiveness, we must remember the countless ways He has demonstrated His love and faithfulness towards us. 

Scripture Reading: 

​​Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work. For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” - Psalm 95

Opening Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, as we come together today to study Psalm 95 and reflect on its teachings, we approach You with gratitude and reverence. During this special time of Lent, we seek to draw closer to You and acknowledge the amazing gift of salvation You have given us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. As we explore Psalm 95 and its applicability to our Lenten journey, we ask that You guide our thoughts and stir our souls to embrace the fullness of Your love and the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice. May our worship this season prepare our hearts for the joyous celebration of Easter, and may it renew our commitment to follow You with passion and devotion. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Introduction:

Lent is a season of decision-making, where we must choose how we want to approach worship. As we reflect on Christ's sacrificial love, His triumph over death, and the salvation we receive, we have two options: we can either be moved to worship God or risk turning away and echoing the historical defiance that brought judgment upon many of Israel's people.

For this reason, Psalm 95 is an excellent Psalm to focus on during this Lenten season. This Psalm has been used in Jewish and Christian worship for centuries to express joy, thanksgiving, and reverence. It also challenges us to ponder our relationship with God and how we worship Him. Ultimately, as we see in this Psalm, we are faced with two choices: embrace a life of worship, celebrate God's goodness, and obey His voice, or harden our hearts and turn away from Him.

The Rock of Our Salvation

Our Psalm begins with a declaration of worship and praise: 

"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" (Psalm 95:1-2, ESV).

This imagery of God as our "rock" is deeply rooted in the ancient understanding of rocks as places of refuge in the desert, providing shelter from the scorching sun and hiding springs of water that bring life to parched souls. The prophet Isaiah describes God's ministers as "the shade of a great rock in a weary land" (Isaiah 32:2, ESV), painting a picture of God's Word as our ultimate protector and as a refreshing oasis in life's desolate and treacherous terrains.

Likewise, rocks represent the firm foundations upon which lasting legacies are built. Again, the Prophet Isaiah uses a rock metaphor to declared that the the Lord God would lay a stone in Jerusalem that would provide the foundation for our faith: 

"Therefore thus says the Lord God, 'Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: whoever believes will not be in haste.'" (Isaiah 28:16, ESV). 

As revealed in the New Testament, this cornerstone is none other than Christ Himself! Christ is the rock, and upon him we will either build our lives or upon him we will stumble and be crushed. As the Apostle Peter declared: 

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:4-9, ESV).

Jesus Himself draws on the rock metaphor to underscore the importance of grounding our lives in His teachings. In the parable of the wise and foolish builders, He teaches: 

 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25, ESV).

During the season of Lent, we must remember the rock of our salvation. Christ's selfless sacrifice on the cross not only provides us with a refuge but also secures our redemption. He is the cornerstone and foundation upon which we, as living stones, are built into a spiritual house to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God, only through Jesus Christ. 

Come Into His Presence With Thanksgiving

As our hearts are drawn to the sacrifice of Christ, the cornerstone of our faith, this sacrificial love compels us to respond with thanksgiving. Psalm 95:2 invites us to "come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" (ESV). 

This act of daily thanksgiving echoes throughout the New Testament, highlighting the transformative power of Christ's victory over sin and death. The Apostle Paul encourages us to have a continual attitude of thankfulness, especially in the context of our salvation. He writes to the church in Thessalonica, 

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV). 

As believers in Christ, it is essential to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and recognize that every good thing we have and experience is a result of God's grace and mercy. We must remain humble and express gratitude for our salvation, knowing that it is a gift from God, not something we have earned through our own efforts or good deeds. The apostle Paul's words, written to the church in Ephesus, beautifully capture this truth, 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).

We should always be mindful that our salvation is a gift, and we cannot boast of it as something that we have achieved through our own efforts. Instead, we should offer praise and thanksgiving to God, recognizing His sovereign grace and kindness in our lives. By doing so, we will not only cultivate a heart of gratitude but also strengthen our relationship with God and grow in our faith.

As believers, we should express our gratitude daily, not just on Sundays. Being thankful should be an integral part of our lives, reminding us of the enormous sacrifice that Christ made for us and the hope we receive from His resurrection. When Jesus rose from the dead, it showed that life triumphs over death, good is greater than evil, and light overcomes darkness. This combination of hope and gratitude helps us stay strong during tough times, keeping our faith and hope intact.This hope does not mean that we ignore difficult times, but it means that we believe in the resurrection promise, in which God will rectify everything that is wrong.

The Mighty Hands of God Pierced For Our Salvation

Psalm 95:3-5 proclaims the unmatched sovereignty and creative power of the Lord:

"For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land" (Psalm 95:3-5 ESV).

This statement reaffirms our belief in one true God and denounces any idols that compete for our loyalty. The Psalmist's declaration that "The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods" (Psalm 95:3 ESV) echoes throughout Scripture, affirming God’s kingship over His people and all the earth. The Psalmist also declares that, "God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne" (Psalm 47:8, ESV), while the Apostle Paul extols our Lord as the "King of kings and Lord of lords" who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:15-16, ESV).

Furthermore, God's hand symbolizes His great provision and protection for His people. 

 "You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing" (Psalm 145:16 ESV). 

His mighty hand redeems, ensures success, protects, and fulfills His purposes. In the fullness of His power, God's hand is a mighty refuge for His people, and a wellspring of inspiration for His prophets. 

As we contemplate God's sovereignty and creative power during Lent, our reflections lead us to the cross, where the mighty hands of God, which sculpted the earth and formed the sea, are revealed in the hands of Jesus Christ. Nailed to a tree for our sins, those hands of creation became the means of our salvation. The hands that formed the universe were the same that blessed children, healed the sick, and broke bread to feed the multitudes. Yet, it was through His ultimate act of love—His crucifixion—where Jesus' hands were stretched wide, bearing the weight of our sins. The hands of Jesus, marked by nails, tell the story of God's mighty hand redeeming His people not through a show of force but through self-sacrifice. Isaiah prophesied this sacrificial love, declaring:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5, ESV). 

The Creator's hands, which shaped the heavens and the earth, willingly bore the scars of our redemption.

Furthermore, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, whose hands were once nailed to the cross, signifies the ultimate victory of God's powerful hand over death itself. Jesus' resurrection is the fulfillment of God's promise to redeem and restore, a promise that is as sure as the foundation of the earth and as enduring as the highest mountains. As Jesus showed His hands to His disciples after His resurrection, He was not only providing proof of His identity but also demonstrating the depth of God's love and the power of His hand to save. 

Warning Against Hardness of Heart

Psalm 95 concludes with a warning about the risks associated with hardening our hearts, based on the account of Israel's rebellion at Meribah and Massah. The names "Meribah" and "Massah" come from the Hebrew words for "quarreling" and "testing." In Exodus 17:1-7, the story unfolds as the Israelites camp at Rephidim, where there is no water for the people to drink. Thirsty and desperate, the people quarreled with Moses and accused him of bringing them out of Egypt to die of thirst in the wilderness. The situation escalates to the point where Moses fears for his safety as the people's anger grows increasingly intense.

Moses cries out to the Lord for help, and God instructs him to strike a rock at Horeb with his staff. Moses obeyed, and when he struck the rock, water miraculously flowed out, providing enough for the people and their livestock. This miraculous provision of water demonstrates God's power and willingness to provide for His people, even in their disobedience and lack of faith.

Just as the rock at Horeb was struck and brought forth water to sustain the Israelites in their physical thirst, Christ, our spiritual cornerstone, was struck at His crucifixion with a spear through his side, from which water and blood flowed from (John 19:34). This event is rich with symbolic meaning, representing the outpouring of salvation and the new covenant between God and humanity. The water flowing from Christ's side symbolizes the living water He offers to all who believe in Him, quenching the deep physical thirst but the deep spiritual thirst within our souls. Jesus Himself spoke of this living water in, saying, 

"Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14, ESV).

This living water is symbolic of the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers and sustains them with life-giving power and grace.

Furthermore, the striking of the rock at Horeb and the striking of Christ (through His suffering and crucifixion) both reveal God's provision and redemption. In the Old Testament, God provided physical water to His people through water in the desert. In the New Testament, through Christ's sacrifice, God provides living water and salvation to all who believe in Him. This connection highlights God's unchanging love and faithfulness throughout Scripture in His redemptive plan.

The warning in Psalm 95 against hardening our hearts, as the Israelites did at Meribah and Massah, thus takes on a deeper significance for us today. Just as the Israelites tested God's patience and doubted His provision, we are cautioned not to harden our hearts against the ultimate provision of Christ. Embracing Christ as our cornerstone means recognizing Him as the foundation of our faith, the source of our salvation, and the provider of the "living water" that sustains us spiritually. By doing so, we keep our hearts soft and receptive to God's grace, allowing His Spirit to flow freely within us, refreshing us and empowering us to live in obedience and faith. 

Conclusion:

As we conclude our journey through Psalm 95, we have seen how God is our refuge and foundation, a Rock that offers protection and a firm place to stand amidst life's storms. We have heard the invitation to come into His presence with thanksgiving compelling us to live in a state of gratitude, recognizing the gift of salvation made possible through Jesus Christ.  Moreover, we have reflected on the sovereignty of God, whose mighty hands not only created the universe but were also pierced for our salvation. The hands that shaped the mountains and parted the seas are the same hands that were stretched on the cross, offering redemption to all who believe. We have heard the solemn warning against hardness of heart, a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. It challenges us to examine our hearts, to avoid the path of rebellion and instead respond to God's call with obedience and faith. As we stand at the crossroads this Lent, let us choose the path of worship, gratitude, and obedience. 

Closing Prayer

Father God, as we conclude our time together reflecting on the message of Psalm 95, we are reminded of Your majesty as the great King above all gods, the Creator of the universe, and our faithful Shepherd. We thank You for the opportunity this Lenten season offers us to examine our hearts, to renew our spirits, and to deepen our relationship with You through worship and thanksgiving. Lord, we ask for the strength and grace to heed the warning against hardening our hearts, as the Israelites did at Meribah and Massah. May the Holy Spirit work within us to soften our hearts, enabling us to fully receive and respond to Your love and guidance. 

As we journey toward Easter, keep us mindful of the ultimate act of love and redemption You performed through the sacrifice of Your Son. Help us to flee from the wrath that comes from disobedience, and instead, draw us ever closer under the care of the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for us. Encourage us, Lord, to engage our hearts fully in worship, recognizing that there is no neutrality in our response to Your call. 

May we leave here today with hearts full of gratitude, lives committed to joyful obedience, and spirits ready to proclaim Your goodness and love to the world. Bless us, Lord, as we continue our Lenten journey, and may our lives reflect the transformative power of Your grace. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our rock and our redeemer, we pray, Amen.