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Worship X Day 14 Let Them Praise: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Let Them Praise!

The Questions

1) What are the sacrifices we are to offer? (verse 16)

2) Why does verse 17 command us to obey our leaders?

3) How does prayer tie into praise? (verse 18)

Hebrews 13:15-19

15 Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything. 19 And I urge you all the more to pray that I may be restored to you very soon.

Original Intent

1) What are the sacrifices we are to offer? (verse 16)
In the Old Testament there are five categories of sacrifices: burnt, grain, peace, sin and trespass offerings. Sin and Trespass offerings were required, and the remaining three were freewill. (Leviticus 4, Leviticus 7:1-6) All the offerings except grain involved the shedding of the animal’s blood. The Hebrew-Christians Paul was writing to were living in an area with Jews who did not believe Jesus was the Messiah. “The Jews were constantly reminding these Hebrew-Christians of the virtues of Judaism” (Clear Theology), which included Old Testament sacrifices which the Jews still actively practiced at the altar. In Hebrews 13:10-12, Paul reminds the people of Jesus shedding His own blood as the ultimate sacrifice, supplanting the Old Testament sacrifice system. However, this didn’t mean there were no longer any sacrifices to be made. Now, instead of sin and trespass sacrifices, the people were to offer sacrifices of praise. Instead of the fruit of their labors (crops and livestock), they were to offer the fruit of their lips. This meant verbal praise. Martin Collins points out how this echoes the priestly duties, “It was the continual responsibility of the Levitical priesthood “to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening“. (I Chronicles 23:30) Even David “praised God seven times each day”. (Psalm 119:164) The principle is that we should be praising God continually or be prepared to do so at any time, not a specific number of times a day.” (Bible Tools) Beyond verbal praise, we are also to “do good and share”. (verse 16) According to Dr. Grant Richison, “Belief and deed are inseparable. Lip service without expression in a tangible way is disjoint of biblical truth.” Praise should intentionally encompass verbally acknowledging God’s goodness and then demonstrating that goodness to others.

2) Why does verse 17 command us to obey our leaders?
Paul pointed out that Hebrew-Christians not only had a responsibility to praise the Lord, do good and share, but they also had a responsibility to submit to their spiritual leaders. Those who were appointed by God were there to lead and guide them as God instructed them. Romans 13:1 tells us “there is no authority except that which God has established.” These leaders were there to teach submission to God and to show how to live a life pleasing to the Lord. David Guzik puts it this way, “Cooperative conduct is not only a joy to leaders, but it is profitable for the whole body. It is for our own sake that we should obey and submit to God-appointed leaders.” Going further, Bible.org says, “The reason we submit is for the Lord’s sake that we may honor Him and also to avoid being disciplined by Him. Paul said this in Romans 13:2, ‘Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.’” Submitting to leaders is an act of worship to the Lord. We are acknowledging His sovereignty in appointing leaders and in teaching us through them.

3) How does prayer tie into praise? (verse 18)
Verses 18-19 might appear to veer of course, but they are in line with Paul’s teaching about praise. When we pray we are bringing our petitions and concerns to the Lord. We are acknowledging Him as the One who can change the situation, give the answer, or provide comfort and peace. He is the One in control and only He can bring about what we cannot. Paul was well aware of the power of prayer. In 2 Corinthians 11 he spoke of his numerous trials in ministry including being whipped, stoned, shipwrecked, persecuted and imprisoned. In prison, Paul prayed and God moved mightily, ultimately adding the jailer and his relatives to God’s family. (Acts 16:25-31) For the churches, Paul prayed and they flourished and grew. Every time, Paul praised the Lord. He was not shy to ask for prayer. Just as he did here, he did also in Romans 1:9-11, Ephesians 6:19, and 2 Thessalonians 3:1 to name a few. This was part of His praise, indicating that He trusted God with the ministry that had been bestowed upon him. We see it is the people’s duty to pray for him, “…to the absent leader the duty of the congregation is that of prayer. It is a Christian duty always to bear our absent loved ones to the throne of God’s grace and daily to remember there all who bear the responsibility of leadership and authority.” (Barclay’s Study Bible) Prayer for others is part of the “doing good” mandate of praise.

Everyday Application

1) What are the sacrifices we are to offer? (verse 16)
I often wonder how the priests dealt with the overwhelming stench of so much blood from the sacrifices. Then I’m reminded of the overwhelming stench of sin to God for those who are not saved. I am grateful for the blood of Jesus which cleanses us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” How can we not praise the name of the One who makes us a pleasing aroma instead of the stench of sin? And to those who are perishing, do we not have a duty to sacrifice our pride and preferences to give them the opportunity to join our chorus of praise? We do, but the struggle is real. “For some, the harder part is taking Christianity one step further, sacrificing ourselves in service, fellowship, and communication with others, especially those outside our “community,” be it a group designated by age, experience, likes or dislikes, location, or any other boundary that applies to us personally.” (Bible Tools) Let us not forget Matthew 5:16, where Jesus instructs, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” Our good works become praise not just from us but others. Our good works multiply praise! So whatever we must sacrifice to complete those works is worth it.

2) Why does verse 17 command us to obey our leaders?
I’m a manager at my job. To some it might seem like an easy job, but they’d be dead wrong! It’s tough. I’m also a ministry leader. That’s not a cake walk either. There are so many facets of leadership but one aspect that quickly becomes challenging is trying to do the right thing and make sure everyone under your care is also doing the right thing. So, what happens when people decide to disobey? I like the way the ESV Reformation Study Bible puts it. “The leaders’ care is deep and genuine because they were appointed by God and will give their account to Him. (Hebrews 4:13) Everyone will suffer if their ministry is resisted.” It’s our duty to respect those God puts in authority over us. By resisting them, we are resisting God’s plans. There is always a consequence for this! Instead, by walking in obedience, we allow God to complete His work in us through them. Not only are we blessed, but the leaders are as well. It becomes one more thing for which we can praise God.

3) How does prayer tie into praise? (verse 18)
Paul often prayed for the churches to which he had a connection. One example is in Colossians 1 where he starts with praise, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.” (verse 3) Then he lists what he is praying for, “We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”. (verse 9) But he continues to give more praise, “giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.” (verse 12) This is a wonderful model for prayer. Praising God, presenting our requests, followed by praising Him again. It keeps our minds focused on Who will accomplish the work, and it’s not us! It always has been God and it will always be God. “Praise is about having faith in the character of God even when we are struggling with challenges in life. It is when we CHOOSE to focus on and believe in Him that our faith is exercised, and it is faith alone that pleases Him and moves Him to action in our lives—personally and corporately!” (Planetshakers Creative) Our prayers demonstrate our faith in God, just as our praises; they both honor Him for who He is and what He does.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Let Them Praise!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Worship X Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Worship X Day 13 Let Them Praise!

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 148
Psalm 149
Psalm 150
Ephesians 5:18-21
Hebrews 13:15-19

Worship X, Day 13

Have you thought about all the noise around us?

All the dogs in the neighborhood won’t stop barking.
The ocean waves are so peaceful.
The whispering wind sounds so calming.

Sometimes we create the noise, with TV or fans running. When the electricity goes out, the sound of silence is deafening and eerie. Without the TV, appliances, or heat/air conditioning running, we hear the natural sounds of creation, sounds of wind or rain or animals creeping. Live on or near a farm? Cows, chickens, horses, sheep…it’s a pretty noisy place.

Is it really just noise? Or is it praises to the Lord?

The book of Psalms has many chapters on praising the Lord. Today, we’ll begin our study with Psalm 148, which makes a transition from hearing and seeing God’s mighty works to the response of His creation to His works.

As we read this chapter, we see and hear all creation praising the Lord.
“Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise Him from the heights.
Praise Him, all his angels;
praiseHim, all his heavenly armies.
Praise Him, sun and moon;
praise Him, all you shining stars.”
(Psalm 148:1-3)

Weather (verse 8), plants (verse 9), animals (verse 10), and people (verse 11) all giving God praise. Everything on this planet and in the universe was created to praise God.

In Psalm 149, the psalmist shifts to more personal praise of the Lord as our Redeemer, the One who brings justice and victory for His people.

“Let Israel celebrate its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to Him with tambourine and lyre.
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He adorns the humble with salvation.”
(Psalm 149:2-4)

Finally, Psalm 150 calls humans to praise the Lord with zeal through instruments and song.
“Praise Him with the blast of a ram’s horn;
praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with tambourine and dance;
praise Him with strings and flute.
Praise Him with resounding cymbals;
praise Him with clashing cymbals.”
(Psalm 150:3-5)

Have you ever heard a band or orchestra warming up, playing random notes?
Or listened to someone who is learning to play a musical instrument?

It isn’t exactly music to our ears, but after much practice and working with the conductor, it can create a beautiful song. Reassuringly (for those of us who can’t carry a tune in a bucket), the sound itself isn’t important to God; rather, He sees and hears a masterpiece when our hearts overflow in praise to Him!

If we take all of these psalms and put them together, we get more than just a choir or an orchestra. The entire universe is working together to praise the Lord, our God of creation, of glory, and of redemption.

My husband is the music minister at our church. Each week, he, along with other worship leaders throughout the whole earth, faithfully prepare to lead God’s people in His praise.  Some have big groups, some have smaller teams, but they work together to create a chorus of praise that echoes around the world.

Take that one step further. Add the living things outside church. We don’t bring our pets and plants into a worship service, but they praise the Lord each and every day. Each one has their part to play in a symphony God creates. Each one alone may not sound like much, but imagine putting it all together. I’ll give you a moment to try and do that . . .

Can you imagine? Do you hear the ocean roar and the stars sing?
Do you hear the dog barking and the orchestra playing praise to the Creator?
Do you hear singing and all creation declaring the wonder of our God?!

In our ears, it may sound more like a mess…but to God, it’s a beautiful symphony of praise!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship X Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Worship X!

Worship X Day 10 The Steadfast One

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Peter 1:3-11
Luke 12:22-25
Job 38:41
Psalm 24:1-2
Romans 11:33-36

Worship X, Day 10

Our car broke down. Gainful employment was scarce. We’d struggled to find a new church community after moving. Loved ones faced challenges with their health and needed help but traveling to reach them was more than we could afford.

Overall, it seemed we were lacking. We were short on finances, resources, energy, community, availability, and all the things we felt we needed.

During this season, I stumbled across 2 Peter 1:3-11. The first part of verse 3 struck me deeply, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness[.]” (2 Peter 1:3) The verse also brings to mind a line from the chorus of Great Is Thy Faithfulness, “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.”

I struggled to see how God provided “everything we needed” during that season, and I’ve certainly wrestled with this truth since then, too. Still, God has graciously shown me over and over that what I need for life and godliness, He does provide.

The second verse of Great Is Thy Faithfulness points to how God uses nature to demonstrate His provision.

“Summer and winter, 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.”

Along with the sun, moon, and stars that testify of God’s faithfulness, there are also the birds that fly among them, like the raven. Two particular references to ravens in the Bible encourage me that God does indeed provide everything we need, outside our bodies and within our souls, for life and godliness.

Luke 12:22-25 describes Jesus instructing us not to worry about life and the physical needs of our bodies like clothes or food. He points to the raven as an example of dependence, “Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?” (Luke 12:24)

As God’s hand provides all we need for life itself, He also provides what we need for abundant, rich internal life – godliness! Job 38:41 illustrates this as God asks Job, “Who provides the raven’s food when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?“

On the surface, this is another reference to physical need. But read in context, we find this is one of many, many questions that offer Job the astounding, reassuring perspective God cares for our souls, is aware of our suffering, and is sufficient for us when we experience lack, loss, and need. 

Just as God cares for the ravens’ livelihood and uses creation to demonstrate His care for the spiritual health of His people, so He cares for us in our everyday lives. 

How can God so faithfully provide for every raven, every person, every physical and spiritual need?  As “summer and winter, springtime and harvest” sing and the psalmist declares, “The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord[.]” (Psalm 24:1)

We saw this firsthand back in that season of feeling such lack. God unexpectedly provided a more reliable car for which we still thank Him today. A tax refund came in at just the right time, in just the right amount, for us to travel to help hurting loved ones. God led us to a church committed to His Word, where we were fed spiritually. Christian friends loved us sweetly and consistently.

By the time that season ended, it was hard to argue that anything we had wasn’t provided by God because it had all come about in ways that only He can work. His faithfulness spurred us to “join with all nature in manifold witness.” His faithfulness, not ours, had provided all we truly needed, in abundance.

That’s what happens when we behold and experience His provision firsthand, finding Him faithful to provide everything we need for life and godliness through Jesus. We end up wanting to praise Him, to declare the truth about Him, even to sing about Him!

Everything comes from Him and through Him,
and we discover as we receive from His merciful, generous hand
everything is for Him, too.
For His praise and glory.
“For from him and through him
And to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship X Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Worship X!

Worship X Day 9 Faithful Redeemer: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Faithful Redeemer!

The Questions

1) “Be anxious for nothing”? Really? (verse 6)

2) What is true peace? How does it guard our hearts? (verse 7)

3) Why meditate on “these things”? (verse 8)

Philippians 4:6-8

6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy–dwell on these things.

Original Intent

1) “Be anxious for nothing”? Really? (verse 6)
These sound like words from someone who has never faced a problem in their life. It makes you want to ask, “What gives you the right to tell me, “Be anxious for nothing“? Until we see the writer is none other than the Apostle Paul, who suffered significantly for preaching Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:23-30) He had many things he could worry about. As a matter of fact, even as he wrote to the Christians in Philippi, he was on house arrest at Rome waiting for a decision on his execution. Paul had plenty for which to be anxious, but he confidently held fast to what he had come to whole-heartedly believe, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) Tensions and hardships spoken of within his letter may reflect social tensions and economic difficulties within the larger community of Philippi or even in the broader church. These issues could have been a source of anxiety for the Philippian believers along with many other potential worries. Since this instruction comes at the close of his letter perhaps it was an encouragement to not be worried about him. Throughout his letter, Paul reiterates that “joy is an essential outgrowth of union with Christ in the gospel.” Paul stresses the idea of joy or rejoicing in a number of ways throughout the letter: (Philippians 1:18;2:28-29;3:1, and 4:4 to name only a few) (Jason C, Meyer, The Lexham Bible Dictionary, Logos)

2) What is true peace? How does it guard our hearts? (verse 7)
In a previous Digging Deeper Study, we studied how peace is one of the many gifts the Holy Spirit cultivates in the heart of a believer! This peace of God surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7-9) God’s peace remains, EVEN when the world storms around us. The Bible is filled with God-followers who found peace in relationship with Him despite their circumstances. Daniel’s daily relationship with God provided him peace and increased his faith that God would protect him from being consumed by lions. (Daniel 6) Peter walked out on stormy waters at Jesus’ invitation based on what he knew to be true of Jesus. (Matthew 14:22-33) As long as he remained focused on Jesus, Peter walked peacefully amidst a literal storm. We can find this same supernatural peace by continually turning our minds and hearts to Jesus in prayer, worship, and reading His Word. (Isaiah 26:3) Jesus told the disciples (and us) that in this world we would have suffering, but He came to give us peace. (John 16:33) We have this peace because Jesus has already conquered the world, so why worry? We, with Him, have conquered this world and all its troubles!

3) Why meditate on “these things”? (verse 8)
True… honorable… just… pure… lovely… commendable… excellence… praiseworthy. These, Paul would say, are the fruit and the food of the mind that is guarded by the peace of God. When we put these good things into our mind, they stay in our mind and then come forth from us. (Enduring Word Bible Commentary) Have you heard the children’s sermon where the pastor puts water into a glass and then has a child shake his arm? Of course, the water spills out. Then he asks the children “why did water spill out of the glass?” They respond, “Because we shook your arm”, but he replies, “No, because water was in the glass”. What is in your heart comes out when the world shakes you. Paul tells us through his letters that what we put in our minds makes all the difference. Romans 12:2 talks of transforming our minds and 2 Corinthians 10:4-7 speaks of “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself.” Meditating on “good things” that reflect God and His character is key. It’s a practical way to bring every thought into captivity under Christ’s rule in us. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Negative thoughts come, but we don’t need to allow them to stay or mull them over in our minds. Just “cast them down“, and ask the Lord to renew our minds in Him!

Everyday Application

1) “Be anxious for nothing”? Really? (verse 6)
Yesterday, Christine encouraged us that “There is always hope when God is in our story.” David exhibited this kind of confident hope in Psalm 71:5, “For you are my hope, Lord God, my confidence from my youth.” David often began his psalms with worries, but he always gave them to God; Paul instructs us to do the same. Paul doesn’t leave us with a blank statement “not to worry”, but tags on “how to do that” by prescribing praise, “but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) If we remember what God has done in the past it gives us hope for the future. We can confidently know that God will come through with whatever is best for us. (Romans 8:28) He absolutely will work it out. In Psalm 71:14-19, David wrote about the faithfulness of God. Christine challenged us to look at our own journals. Do we ever praise him for what He has done or is it all about our worries and concerns? I am impressed that it is not only once in the Psalms that the works of God are listed but over and over again. Don’t ever stop praising Him! Yes, make your requests to Him. But then, praise Him for what He WILL do, then wait in faith and watch what happens! The faithful God gives us His gift of peace when we choose praise over fear. “Peace. Wonderful Peace flowing down from the Father above.” (Wonderful Peace by Warren D. Cornell)

2) What is true peace? How does it guard our hearts? (verse 7)
We tend to believe that peace comes in the absence of storms and trials. When blessings are flowing, then I can have peace. Consider with me, how would we define blessings? Family? Financial gain? Health? If so, then, what hope is there for the one with no husband, no children, no money, or bad health? I always felt at peace with life. My husband and I had our ups and downs, but we were “at peace” serving God. But then, I lost my health. After which, my husband lost his job and subsequently our home. Just before the job loss, our son introduced me to Laura Story and her song, Blessings. She proposes through song that blessings aren’t tangible things but divine things. Through our difficult trials, my husband and I truly found Christ’s “peace that passes all understanding“. His providence for every need, and His grace to walk through the valley of the shadow of death were constant. This peace was discovered through a much deeper relationship with the God of the ages. Now, God was truly “guarding our hearts” for all the ‘stuff’ had been stripped away and we could really be at peace with Him. Everything else was just icing on the cake.

3) Why meditate on “these things”? (verse 8)
Not long after my illness began, my sister sent me a “joy box” inspired by the writings of Ann Voskamp. This got me started in reading her book, One Thousand Gifts. Ann tells her story of a life of depression until a friend challenged her to start a gratitude journal. The goal was to list one thousand things for which she was thankful. By writing down three things every day, she had one thousand gifts within a year! In the process, she discovered joy! Thinking on the good things instead of the negative made all the difference. While I haven’t suffered depression over my health, making a gratitude journal keeps everything on a high note. I even went to the next level and brought my whole church into the practice. Every Sunday, I placed an assignment in the bulletin for each person or family to create their own lists. It became “a fragrant offering, and acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18) Meditating on the good things brings us right back to the whole theme of Philippians – JOY! I pray you will begin to “think on these things” in life and in this act of worship, increase your joy!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Faithful Redeemer!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Worship X Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Worship X Day 8 Faithful Redeemer

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 71

Philippians 4:6-9

Hebrews 10:19–25

Worship X, Day 8

“Sold!”

The gavel fell and the small crowd applauded. I forced myself to smile calmly as I shook the hands of the excited buyers. Strangers now owned my family home. 

On the inside I was screaming, “God, where are You? How could You let this happen? Why have You abandoned us? God, You could have stopped this, and now we have lost everything, even our home.”

I was heartbroken, defeated. My prayers unanswered.

The words of Psalm 71:1–3 resonated in my heart. “Lord, I seek refuge in you. Listen closely to me. Give the command to save me!” I cried out, not in faith, but in anguish and fear.

A few short weeks later, sitting in the living room of our newly rented home, a peace I couldn’t understand washed over my soul. The weight of debt was lifted, the pressure of repayment dates had disappeared, the remainder of money from the record sale of our home was safely invested and our family could breathe once again.

God didn’t give me what I wanted. He gave me what I needed.

God is faithful. He is always there, working in and through circumstances as they unfold. If only I had the faith to trust Him, fix my eyes steadfastly on Him, and not allow the crashing waves of emotion to knock me off balance so readily. God has never let me down. And I know He will not let me down now. 

Likewise, the psalmist remembered the faithfulness and goodness of God. (Psalm 71:5–8) He is our hope, our confidence, and our strong refuge. God was present before the beginning, guiding and protecting us through every season of life. He is faithful, and worthy of our praise.

I find this encouraging and challenging. It feels like we have a responsibility to be worried and anxious. The world is out of control; how can we be calm? There are so many people hurting and grieving. Can we really trust God?

The writer of Psalm 71 continues with confident faith. We can overcome fear and anxiety when we keep our focus on God. Verses 14-16 show us how to respond.

“But I will hope continually [. . .]” (Psalm 71:14a)

Hope.

We can always hope in God. No situation is beyond His redemption. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found hope in a furnace.
Daniel found hope in a lion’s den.
Sarah found hope after 90 years of infertility.
Peter found hope locked up in prison.
There are a hundred more examples in Scripture, and a hundred more in my own life. When God is part of our story, there is always hope.

“[. . .] and [I] will praise you more and more.” (Psalm 71:14b)

Praise.

When we praise God, we magnify Him, making Him an increasingly bigger part of our picture. When God is bigger, our circumstances shrink into relative insignificance. Our praise builds our faith, reminds our hearts of the power of God, and, when we praise God with fellow believers, we strengthen each other’s wavering faith.

Hebrews 10:19-25 reminds us not to neglect spending time together with other believers, but to prioritize encouraging one another. We need a community of faith, to provide accountability and encouragement.

“My mouth will tell about your righteousness 

and your salvation all day long, 

though I cannot sum them up.

I come because of the mighty acts of the LORD God; 

I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.” (Psalm 71:15-16)

Tell.

When we have good news, we share it. When Murray asked me to marry him, we spent the whole afternoon driving around to our friends, flashing my diamond ring and celebrating the good news.

Now, with social media, it’s easier than ever to share good news. But so often, we share our annoyance, rather than our praise. It is easier to whine about the bad service we received at a local store or our outrage at an opposing point of view, than it is to share the eternal hope we have in Jesus our Savior.

I’ve been to many funerals, but some leave a lasting impact. One such service honored a missionary who lost his battle with cancer in his 50s. As a senior leader in a global mission organization, this man faced significant struggle for the sake of the gospel. The hardships he and his family faced were well known, but at his funeral, pages from his private journal were read aloud. During the most harrowing of circumstances, his journal was not full of worry and fear, but praise and faith.

He wrote of the faithfulness of God. He wrote of his peace, knowing God was in control. (Philippians 4:6-9) He wrote of how God was working through the circumstances to further His kingdom.

I found this profoundly challenging. Often, the pages of my journal are full of worry and concern. As I grow older, and the reach of my influence widens, I am challenged to be a woman of faith greater than fear, a woman who trusts in a powerful and loving God, and a woman who praises my Savior through every storm.

I want to join the psalmist and declare, “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You because You have redeemed me.” (Psalm 71:23) I don’t really want the pages of my journal to be read at my funeral, but if they are, I want them to declare words of faith.

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Worship X Day 6 Just Be Still And Know Already

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 54
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 5:38-48
Psalm 50
Psalm 51

Worship X, Day 6

Alarm clock screaming bare feet hit the floor
It’s off to the races everybody out the door

Jonny Diaz’s song BREATHE filled my head as I began working on this Journey Study, part of a series on Worship. The prompt I was given begins, “The call to be still and know our God…”

Should we read all of Psalm 46, we would promptly be reminded, “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, emphasis mine)

If there was ever anyone who desperately needed God as a refuge, it was David, the Hebrew shepherd-boy-anointed-king whose subsequent military victories incited the jealousy of the current king, Saul.

As David penned the words in Psalm 54, our passage for today’s study, he was hiding in an epic game of hide and seek from Saul, who sought to kill him. Hence, David cries out, “God, save me by Your name[!]” (Psalm 54:1)

And, true to Psalm 46:1, God answered David’s desperate plea. David’s life was spared and he declared, “God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my life.” (Psalm 54:4)

As we read this story, we might think David has the right to defend himself and KILL Saul. In 1 Samuel 24, David has the chance to do just that; instead, David spares Saul.

If we look closer at Psalm 54, we better understand David’s uncanny grace for the man who wanted him dead.
David writes, “He [God] will repay my adversaries for their evil.” (Psalm 54:5)

Maybe a song of Moses came to David’s mind as he hid.

In Deuteronomy 32, as the Israelites FINALLY prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses reviewed their journey in the form of a song, his lyrics deep and poignant.

“Vengeance belongs to Me [God]; I will repay.” (Deuteronomy 32:35)

So David leaves justice in God’s hands.

I’m more familiar with the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans in chapter 12, where Paul repeats Moses’s words. Paul also quotes from Proverbs 25:21-22, where Solomon advised, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink[.]”

Jesus Himself taught this “new” way of living.
“You have heard it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you[.]” (Matthew 5:43-44)

In our wait for fulfilled promises or our search for justice, we can easily get caught up in the chaos. We shout and FIGHT, demanding justice – as WE see fit – be served, right now.

Anyone else’s voice a little hoarse?
Anybody else’s thumbs a little overworked from typing out comments on social media?
Anyone else’s relationships been a little (or a lot) strained?

Maybe we should take a different approach.
Ya know, like Psalm 46 tells us.
“Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

What if we viewed justice the same way as David?
The God David served is the same God we serve today.
We are assured in Scripture that God does NOT change, EVER.

(Numbers 23:19, Psalm 90:1-2; Isaiah 40:8; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17)

He is forever gracious, compassionate, merciful, and JUST.

Always. (Hebrews 13:8)

If David could offer a sacrifice of praise in response to all God had done, so can we.
Indeed, Paul urges us to do so at the beginning of Romans 12.

In David’s time, God had outlined very specific sacrifices and offerings the Israelites were to make. Additionally, a person could make a FREEWILL OFFERING, voluntarily presenting a sacrifice that was above and beyond what was expected.

Thankfully, we no longer need to make sacrifices for our sins. Jesus died – in our place – for all sin, for all time. Then, He rose again, conquering death and declaring ultimate victory for everyone who believes in Him. He longs for people’s HEARTS, to be in close relationship with us.

We reflect our relationship with God, and HIS character, in the way we treat others . . . especially the ones who aren’t so easy to love.

We make a freewill offering when we don’t complain because the neighbor’s dog poops in our yard. Instead, we write a friendly note and put fresh cookies in their mailbox.

We offer ourselves as a living sacrifice when we don’t blast someone on social media because they voted differently than us. Rather, we invite them over to watch the Super Bowl – because everyone loves chips and salsa.

In the midst of our messy, busy, noisy lives may we quiet our hearts.
May we allow space for our souls to respond to the God who created us and constantly cares for
When injustice consumes the world around us, may we look to our God of justice.
In the stillness, may we see Him, hear Him, and KNOW Him.

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Worship X Day 5 The Unfailing One

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 1:1-6
1 John 1:5-9
Psalm 100

Worship X, Day 5

Dependable and trustworthy.
Has never broken a promise.
Loving and kind, yet strong and protective.
Sounds like the perfect man, right? But these words describe someone far superior to any common man. These words merely scratch the surface in describing our Great God. 

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 will be

Great is Thy faithfulness.
Such a bold statement. But God can back it up.
“Know that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps his gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commands.”
(Deuteronomy 7:9)

God is a faithful covenant keeper. With the Abrahamic covenant, He swore by Himself. He fulfilled both sides of the covenant. (Genesis 15) In a covenant, the “lesser” person would walk through the cut up pieces of animals, symbolizing their own fate if they did not uphold their end. But God walked through instead of Abraham, taking upon Himself the punishment. God guaranteed the fulfillment of the covenant because He is faithful.

Thousands of years later, Jesus came, died on the cross and was resurrected to begin a new covenant for all who believe in Him. “For a thousand generations” God was faithful to Israel. And now, thousands of years later, He is still faithful to all who place their trust in Him. (Psalm 100:5) Each day is an opportunity for a fresh measure of His faithfulness.

Morning by morning new mercies I see.
We can boldly proclaim, “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you. I will praise your name,
for you have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.”
(Isaiah 25:1)
I can boldly proclaim it, looking back over every desperate prayer I’ve ever prayed, seeing His faithfulness to provide, direct, protect and heal.
He has never failed because His faithfulness is great.

O God My Father.
 C. Sproul said, “He has given to us the right and privilege to come into the presence of the majesty of God and address him as Father because indeed he is our Father. He has adopted us into his family and made us co-heirs with his only begotten Son” (Romans 8:16)

When we profess Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become chosen, adopted, predestined and redeemed by God. (Ephesians 1:1-6) Each day is a reminder that we are His beloved daughters.

Morning by morning new mercies I see.
Jesus gave us a way to become comfortable with calling God our Father when He said, “But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret” and “Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.” (Matthew 6:6-14)

This Father, who lavishes His love on us (1 John 3:1) is the one we can call on to provide our every need. (Matthew 6:31-32) He is our ultimate protector. How do we know? His Son told us, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:29)

This Son, Jesus, has redeemed us “so that we might receive adoption as sons.
And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son [.]” (Galatians 4:5-6) So as sons and daughters, we confidently call to God Our Father who gives us the best gifts.

 There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

One of the characteristics of God is His immutability, which means “God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations.” (Wayne Grudem)

Shadows shift and change, God does not. Shadows are not always present, but God is. God Himself says “For I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6, ESV) The same God who created the earth, (Genesis 1:1-25) formed Adam and Eve, (Genesis 1:26-31) parted the Red Sea, (Exodus 14:15-31) rescued Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace, (Daniel 3:8-30) and sent Jesus to redeem us, (John 3:16) is the same unfailing God whose mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
A loving God who’s “faithfulness endures forever.” (Psalm 117:2)  Let me tell you about Him in my life. In 2020 my uncle, sister and grandmother and a friend all passed away. I got laid off from my job. Both my daughters lost their jobs. My husband had a medical emergency and had to have an emergency procedure.

I could have wallowed in my grief, sorrow and frustration. But instead I trusted in my unchanging God. I prayed to the God who helped me deal with the sudden loss of my dad twenty years earlier. I praised the God who provided a job within one month the previous year when I experienced my first layoff. Every morning I focused my eyes on the new mercy that God provided, enabling me to live for His glory one more day.

Gift cards showed up unexpectedly. Checks showed up from people I had not connected with in year. A job came from an unexpected place. I discovered new worship music to help me through my grief. God connected me more deeply to a beautiful soul, that I now serve alongside in ministry.

That’s just a sampling of how our loving, unfailing God works. There was never a time I felt alone, because God was always with me. (Matthew 28:20) He was always supporting me. (Psalm 94:18) And whatever else may come my way, I can endure because…..

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 28:6-9
1 Samuel 1:27-28
Mark 9:14-29

I’ve sat down several times in the last few days to convey on paper my thoughts to the lyrics of a song that I might describe as haunting (as in, poignant and evocative; difficult to ignore or forget). Little did I know that my procrastination was actually working out God’s sovereign timing. I certainly don’t condone a habit of delaying inevitable tasks, but as always God was doing something, even through my postponement.
Letting go of every single dream, I lay each one down at Your feet.
Every moment of my wandering never changes what You see.
I’ve tried to win this war, I confess.
My hands are weary, I need Your rest.
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight, no matter what I face, You’re by my side.*

On the very morning I realized I could no longer delay my writing, I was also made aware of my great need to fully embrace the truths of the song in which I had chosen to meditate. The first two words stabbed me the very moment they caught my eye.

“Letting go…”
I recognized immediately the impact of those words throughout Scripture.
Abraham
Moses
David
Hannah
These are only a few examples of the kind of surrender to which we are called.

Paul’s life and message compel us to an even more radical release of our own wills, reminding us of the most humble and genuine surrender of all through the life and death of our Lord Jesus. Philippians 2:1-11

As a mama and grandma who has kids and grandkids living thousands of miles away, I have learned that letting go is a part of life. As a foster mom, the reality of releasing hits even harder because of the massive unknown attached to it. In the past several years, I have had to let go of how I had pictured life might look and trust God with the unforeseeable future of all the children that He has placed in my care.
Laying things down that I like at my good Father’s feet is one thing.
Laying people down that I love is another.
It freshly and squarely hit me today that
letting go is always the starting point for trusting God.

On this very day, we find ourselves in a place we have never been as foster parents. We have realized that we are unable to provide everything needed for the children who have recently entered our home. The brothers who came through the door earlier this week have experienced difficulties in their lives that I’ll never fully be able to comprehend.
The neglect they have encountered is completely foreign to me.

After several days of looking at my husband with a broken heart, he confessed that he is overwhelmed and underqualified for this particular situation.
Knowing that fostering kids in need like this has to be a team effort (he is an amazing foster dad), I knew it meant we had to make a change.
I have cried and prayed.
I had to come face to face with hidden motives and agendas and plans.
I had to admit that we are not called to save every child.
We are not even called to rescue them from terrible lives.
We are only called to be faithful servants.
I confessed to God: “My hands are weary, I need Your rest.”

You are my strength and comfort. You are my steady hand.
You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand.
Your ways are always higher. Your plans are always good.
There’s not a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood.*

Sometimes I do the right thing.
Sometimes I do the right thing for the right reason.
And sometimes I do the right thing for the right reason, but with a skewed view of God.

I forget that He alone is capable of doing what is perfectly good.
Only He knows what tomorrow brings.
I may have good intentions in the spiritual battle I’m fighting,
but if I don’t recognize that He is the King of the fight,
I begin to fight for outcomes and answers
rather than fighting for faith.

As I cry out to Him, I too often hold on to a false hope in my own ability to fix and heal.
Only when I let go of all my pre-conceived notions of what should happen am I able to fully trust Him.
My faith cannot be in the moving mountains or the parting waters,
though He is able to do those things, Exodus 14, Mk 11:22-24
rather my trust is to be completely in Him, not in what He does.

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move;
when You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through;
when You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You, I will trust.*

The Psalmist communicates so clearly again and again that our trust must be solidly placed in only One Person.
HE is our strength and comfort.
HE is our steady hand.
HE is our firm foundation.
HE is our rock.
HE is exalted.

Yet, everything that makes Him a God who is far above us Isaiah 55:8-9,
doesn’t keep Him from also being a Father who is near and good! James 1:17

I am unable to fully explain how much I needed the truths of this song to permeate my heart and mind today. Letting these kids go is so difficult.
What is the Father calling you to let go of and trust Him with?
Lord, “Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings. There’s not a day ahead You have not seen. So, in all things be my life and breath. I want what You want, Lord, and nothing else.
I will trust in You.”*
Amen!

*song lyrics by Lauren Daigle, “Trust In You”


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Worship X Day 3 Unshaken & Secure

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 16
Romans 8:31-39
Isaiah 43:1-7

Worship X, Day 3

Like air in your lungs.
Like breezes in your hair.
Like sand in your toes.
Like roses to your senses.
So is His faithful love to us.

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)

This love is for you in the dark.
For you when the waves are sweeping over you.
For you when the riptide pulls you under again and again.
For you when the enemy lurks, when the voices from your past haunt, when the Deceiver lies in your ear, when the world crumbles.
This love is for you.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you[.]” (Isaiah 43:1-2)

Regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, culture, background, dark secrets, money in the bank, or country of origin. This love is for you.

This faithful love is sung over you. (Psalm 42:8)
This faithful love hems you on all sides. (Psalm 139:5)This faithful love prepares a feast for you in the presence of your enemies. (Psalm 23:5)
This faithful love fights for you when all you can do is surrender. (Ephesians 6:10)
This faithful love upholds you from everlasting to everlasting. (Deuteronomy 33:27)

This love is for you.

This faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136)
It shows up with mercies freshly wrapped every morning and invites you to unpack them throughout your day. (Lamentations 3:22-23) This faithful love holds you as you sob, wipes your tears when you drop your head in defeat (Psalm 56:8), kisses your cheek to welcome you (1 Peter 5:14), shouts over you with victory cheers (Zephaniah 3:17), and makes even the darkness as light (Psalm 139:12). Not a hair falls from your head (Luke 12:7), not a sparrow falls to the ground (Matthew 10:29), not even a worm is without ordained purpose (Jonah 4:7) because of this faithful love.

This Faithful Love spoke creation into existence (Genesis 1:3), breathed into mankind (Genesis 2:7), delighted in marriage (Genesis 2:22-25), broke the bonds of slavery (Exodus 13:14), championed His people (Exodus 14:14), taught them to walk by holding their toddling hands (Hosea 11:3), watched with broken heart as they whored after other far-lesser loves (Judges 2:17). This Faithful Love put on human flesh (John 1:14), exited a girl’s birth canal (Luke 2:5-7), grew through puberty (Luke 2:52), loved the masses (Matthew 9:36), ached with compassion (Matthew 20:34), grieved under injustice (Luke 17:1-2), and got angry when others made it hard to come close to Him. (Matthew 21:12-13)

This Faithful Love sought out the rejects of society (Luke 7:44-50), partied with the unlovable (Luke 19:5-7), and then died for the rebellious (Romans 5:8) as mockers scorned Him (Matthew 27:30-31) and His best friends denied (Matthew 26:75), betrayed (Matthew 26:48), and abandoned Him (Matthew 26:56).

Faithful Love came back to life from a corpse
to break all of humanity out of their graves,
buried under the consequences of their sin,
if they accept the living Hand of Hope held out to them.

“Now if we died with Christ,
we believe that we will also live with Him,
because we know that Christ,
having been raised from the dead,
will not die again.
Death no longer rules over Him.”
(Romans 6:8-9)

Death to Life.
Chains to Freedom.
Performance to Grace.
Abandoned to Adopted.
This Faithful Love is for you.

“Who is the one who condemns?
Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised[!…]
Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? […]
in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing will be able to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:34-35, 37-39)

Faithful Love holds fast, for all eternity, all those who trust in Him.
“Lord, you are my portion
and my cup of blessing;
you hold my future.”
(Psalm 16:5)

Faithful Love will never allow His Own to be shaken.
“I always let the Lord guide me.
Because He is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.”
(Psalm 16:8)

Faithful Love gives rest and security.
“Therefore, my heart is glad
and my whole being rejoices;
my body also rests securely.”
(Psalm 16:9)

Faithful Love sets us free to run the pathways of abundant life.
“You reveal the path of life to me;
in Your presence is abundant joy;
at Your right hand are eternal pleasures.”
(Psalm 16:11)

Faithful Love is the Lord God Almighty.
And He is For You!

Read the Bible.
Know your God.
Surrender to Faithful Love.

“What, then, are we to say about these things?
If God is for us, who is against us?
He did not even spare His own Son
but gave him up for us all.”
(Romans 8:31-32)

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Worship X Day 1 Proclaiming Praise

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 9
Psalm 37:27-29
Proverbs 21:30
Romans 2:1-11

Worship X, Day 1

We don’t need to look far in the world to see injustice.
Every day the news is filled with stories of people being mistreated or discriminated against because of race, religion, or social status. In many situations, evil seems to triumph. Maybe you can think of examples closer to home from your own experience, too.

This isn’t a new problem. In fact, it was something David was very conscious of as he wrote Psalm 9, in which he celebrated the God of justice.

Though he writes from a situation where he is facing injustice, David praises God boldly. He remembers God’s past faithfulness in bringing justice, and he reflects on justice as an integral part of God’s character.

For David, God’s justice is good news, worthy of praise. His whole-hearted thankfulness to God is expressed by telling others, by “boasting” about God, and by singing of all God has done.

As I read this Psalm, I find it both comforting and slightly unnerving. I suppose our view of justice often depends on which side of it we fall. To the defendant appearing in court, knowing they have done wrong and are about to face the consequences, justice is something to fear, while for the victim, it’s a source of hope, and we see this contrast reflected in the Psalm.

For those who are on the wrong side of God’s justice, the consequences are severe. We read of a God who rebukes the nations, destroys the wicked, and brings eternal ruin. (Psalm 9:5-6) God’s enemies retreat, stumbling and perishing (Psalm 9:3), caught in traps they have set themselves. (Psalm 9:15)

There are many examples of this throughout Scripture:

  •     When the Midianites oppress the people of Israel, God confuses them, causing them to fight one another, and grants the Israelites victory as they simply stand and watch. (Judges 7:19-22)
  •     When Daniel’s fellow-workers in Babylon trick the king into throwing Daniel into the lions’ den, God miraculously rescues Daniel, and it is his enemies who are eaten by the lions. (Daniel 6:21-24)
  •     When Haman plots to destroy God’s people, he is brought to justice and hung on the gallows he built himself. (Esther 7:6-10)

A contrast is drawn between God’s eternal reign (Psalm 9:7) and the fact that the names of the wicked will be erased forever. (Psalm 9:5)

Lest we be too quick to cast our enemies in the roles of the wicked and align ourselves with the righteous, it’s worth noting that Psalm 9:17 describes the heart of wickedness as forgetting God.

Paul’s words in Romans 2 provide a sobering reminder that, without Jesus, we are all deserving of God’s judgement and “there is no favoritism with God.” (Romans 2:11) Rather than assuming God is on our side, we must be careful to make sure we are on His.

For those of us who have put our faith in Jesus and turned to God, there need be no fear of His judgement, and in situations where we are seeking or lacking justice, God’s justice truly is good news!

God is a refuge in times of trouble, He never abandons those who seek Him, He remembers the needy, and He restores the hope of the oppressed.

These are truths that bring deep security.

“For the LORD loves justice and will not abandon His faithful ones. They are kept safe forever.” (Psalm 37:28)

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all.” (John 10:28)

In a world where injustice is rife, this psalm provides encouragement that, in the end, God’s justice will prevail. The plans of the wicked may seem to succeed for a time, but ultimately, “no wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:30)

As David considers all of this, he asks God for help in his current situation for two reasons, to rejoice in God’s salvation and to tell others.

Surely our response should be the same!
Let’s bring our situations to God, knowing He cares and He can bring justice.
Let’s run to Him for refuge, rejoicing in the promise that God’s justice will ultimately prevail.
Let’s praise Him and proclaim the Good News to others who need to hear it!

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