Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!
We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!
The Passage
Fridays are 2-for-1! Check out the other Journey Post, The Fatherless!
Psalm 68:4-6 English Standard Version (ESV)
Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
The Questions
1) What do we learn about worshipping the Lord from this passage?
2) What does this passage show us of God’s character?
3) What does God promise to the displaced people in this passage?
The Findings for Intention
1) What do we learn about worshipping the Lord from this passage?
The Psalmist is singing praise to God as he reflects on the good things God has done. He remembers when God acted as the Israelites commander in chief as they walked through the desert. He gives specific name to his memories, his name for God based on His character and the listeners call to action.
2) What does this passage show us of God’s character?
As the Israelites walked in the desert, they carried the Ark of the Covenant-the physical embodiment of God-with them. God never left them alone, even when they couldn’t feel His presence. God acted as the “Father” and “protector” to the displaced individuals needing Him most. He showed Himself as a good, kind father rather than a tyrannical dictator.
3) What does God promise to the displaced people in this passage?
The Israelites had been under harsh rule in Egypt. God rescued them from Pharaoh but their choices left them wandering as a group of fatherless people in the desert. The Israelites were stuck in the wilderness. God promises here that He will settle the “solitary in a home”. It was 40 years before the Israelites were led into Canaan, the Promised Land.
The Everyday Application
1) What do we learn about worshipping the Lord from this passage?
As we worship the Lord, we can recall the times God was faithful to Himself. Naming those specific situations emboldens our faith as we choose to continue believing God will remain faithful to Himself going forward. When we call God by name, it draws us into a more intimate relationship with Him. That depth leads us to respond in worship!
2) What does this passage show us of God’s character?
From this passage, we have the same promise; that God will never leave us. On this side of Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, with us constantly. We can experience His goodness and receive direction from our good Father every time we listen to His Words.
3) What does God promise to the displaced people in this passage?
Sin leaves us orphaned and alone. Without the precious blood of Jesus and redemption back to the Father, we would be left wandering alone. God’s promise of providing a home is shown through life in Biblical Community now and then sitting before the Lord Almighty for the rest of eternity.
Don’t miss today’s other Journey Study,The Fatherless!
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I Can Do That!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
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!
The Community!
Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Justice Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
The Tools!
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources. Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.
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. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? 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 :-))
The Why!
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.
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.
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Justice!