Bless

Worship X Day 15 The Eternal One

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Hebrews 10:1-18
Matthew 8:23-27
Psalm 73:23-28
Psalm 32:6-8

Worship X, Day 15

Thomas O. Chilsolm is the author of Great is Thy Faithfulness, the hymn we’ve been unpacking in this Journey Theme. Converted to Christ during a revival service, Chilsolm went to work for the Pentecostal Herald. He later became ordained with the Methodist Episcopal church and wrote an astonishing 1200 poems, having more than eight hundred of them published in various periodicals.

Today, we’ll take a closer look at the third verse of his poem-turned-hymn:

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with 10,000 beside
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Pardon For Sin
In the Old Testament, the Lord instructed the Jews to obtain forgiveness for their sins by bringing offerings to sacrifice on the altar at the temple. (Leviticus 16) However, Hebrews 10:1-4 explains these sacrifices only served as a temporary placeholder, needing to be repeated again and again as people continued to sin. That’s where Jesus came in, paying the price for your sin and mine, once and for all time:

“But this man [Jesus], after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. [. . .] For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:12-14)

Therefore, the apostle and preacher Peter made a great call for repentance, found in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Peter’s words echo through the centuries, urging each of us to experience the transformative power of repentance and seeking forgiveness from God.

A Peace That Endureth
With this pardon for sin, we can rest in God’s peace which will endure. In the Old Testament, both David and Gideon found peace in God, despite harrowing circumstances. (Judges 6:23-24; Psalm 4:8)

In the New Testament, three Gospel writers share an example of how great the Prince of Peace, Jesus, truly is by describing how He calmed a storm at sea. (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25) We can rest in the assurance that our God, Who calmed a storm in the middle of a sea, is ever-present with us through our storms.

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)

Thine Own Dear Presence To Cheer
When we walk in the peace and the presence of God, we have an awareness of Him.
“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

The knowledge that He’s with us has a way of cheering our souls.
“But as for me, God’s presence is my good.
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge[.]” (Psalm 73:28)

And To Guide
Just as Gideon was given instruction by God to outwit the Midianite army (Judges 7:12-23) and Pilate’s wife was aware God spoke to her in a dream about Christ (Matthew 27:15-19), God continues to guide His people today.

“I will instruct you and show you the way to go;
With my eye on you, I will give counsel.” (Psalm 32:8)

Strength For Today And Bright Hope For Tomorrow
David, a young shepherd, had the strength to fight the militant giant Goliath, simply because David knew God was bigger than any giant, and he acted on that faith. (1 Samuel 17) Today, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives gives us divine strength.
“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.” (Ephesians 6:10)

With Christ as our Savior, we have a glorious Hope for tomorrow!

Blessings All Mine With 10,000 Beside
It’s easy to mistakenly consider blessings as only that which is tangible, costly: a large house, a boat, a seven-figure income. And these certainly can be blessings, but what if there’s much more to blessings? What if the blessings God has given us can’t be measured by financial cost? 

Consider the blessings of our children actively seeking the Lord.
Or a family member set free from addiction.
What if the blessings of the Lord are found in breath for another day?

Even in the midst of trials, if we focus on Him, we can see all the blessings He lavishly bestows.
His transforming forgiveness and peace,
His unending presence and guidance,
His unfailing strength and hope.
When we survey these many blessings, we can join Thomas Chilsolm in worshiping, “Great is Your faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”

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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!

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Worship X Day 11 From Eternity To Eternity

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 103
Deuteronomy 6:10-12
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Psalm 25:8-11
Isaiah 40:28-31

Worship X, Day 11

Day 1
As I sit to write today’s Journey Study, physical and emotional tiredness are my companions. Thankfully, tomorrow is a new day and His mercies are new every morning.

“[Your mercies] are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness!” (Lamentations 3:23)
His promise allows me to let the events of the day drain away while focusing on the truth found in His Word.

The truth in Psalm 103 is a solid reminder while my body is ready for rest and a new day, His mercies for today are still active.

“My soul, bless the LORD,
and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
My soul, bless the LORD,
and do not forget all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:1-2)
Tiredness begins to melt away as my focus shifts from myself to the truth of the Lord. The tension in my shoulders eases as I ponder His benefits.

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.” (Psalm 103:8)
Thank You, Lord, for Your compassion, grace, and slowness to anger. I am so undeserving of those, especially today when I failed to extend the same to my husband. Please forgive me.

“He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve
or repaid us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:10)
Thank You for Your forgiveness, for not repaying me according to what I deserve.

“He satisfies you with good things;
Your youth is renewed like the eagle.” (Psalm 103:5)
Thank You for renewing my youth and my strength, so I can “run and not become weary [. . .] walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31) when I wait on You. This, too, is one of Your mercies for today. Help me wait on You and experience Your energizing presence.

Lord, You have poured out so many benefits, yet how often do we fail to thank You for all the ways You demonstrate Your love towards us?

I’m not sure I actually want to answer that question.
But I can choose to make tomorrow and each subsequent day different.

Day 2
I set alarms today on my phone. Four of them.
When they sounded throughout my day, I intended to pause and focus on the Lord and the truth of Psalm 103.

When the first alarm rang, I remembered my conviction, paused to say a quick thank You for my current blessings, and continued on with my day.

A short while later I snapped at my husband in conversation and the words of Psalm 103:2 wafted through my mind, “do not forget all His benefits.”

Ugh. My fleshly heart rebelled at the gentle conviction of the Lord through His Word.

My study of this verse revealed connections to Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 6:12 reminded the Israelites, in the midst of their materiel bounty,
“[B]e careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.”

Two chapters later, Deuteronomy 8:11 reiterates,
“Be careful that you don’t forget the LORD your God by failing to keep his commands, ordinances, and statutes that I am giving you today.”

Understanding began to dawn. I’d said thank you to the Lord for His benefits to me with the first alarm, but quickly forgot Him by failing to follow His commands to show His mercies to others.

With the next alarm, my heart posture stretched a bit deeper.

Thank You, God, for forgiving me. Please help me to demonstrate my love for my husband and respect him with my words and tone.

This encounter with the Lord didn’t fade into the background of my day. Much like the eased tension of the previous night, my emotional and physical reactions softened. I sensed the Holy Spirit within me, helping me as I surrendered more fully to Him.

The third alarm was set for late afternoon. Reflecting on the impactful second alarm, I felt anticipation growing. What would You speak to me during this moment of encounter, Lord?

As I waited for late afternoon to arrive, the words of Psalm 103:17 lovingly wrapped themselves around my heart.
“But from eternity to eternity
The LORD’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him[.]”

Psalm 25:10 echoes,
“All the LORD’s ways show faithful love and truth
To those who keep his covenant and decrees.”
He is faithful to us now, and promises His faithfulness will extend to eternity.

This brought such hope to my heart; no matter the circumstances awaiting us in this lifetime,
if we seek the Lord, He will faithfully walk with us.

We can thank Him for the hard times with confidence.
We can rejoice in today.
We can praise Him for all of His benefits.

In the Lord’s divine multiplication, when we praise Him
from the depths of who we are
for who He is, He is honored and we are helped.
He is worthy of worship now and for eternity!

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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!

The GT Weekend! ~ Training Week 1

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) There are many ways to spend our time. Generally, they fall into “things for self” and “things for others”. In Monday’s Journey Study, we learned how our motivation and heart posture for every action are critically important. While God doesn’t mind us doing things for ourselves, He wants us to serve others as a way to demonstrate true worship. Serving others displays the true heart of God. Take an inventory of how you spend your time. Is there a greater focus on self or others? Check out the Neighbor Journey Theme to connect with real life stories of serving our neighbors. Be inspired and identify who you can serve this coming week. Write down several ways you can serve them, pick one and then serve them with the heart of God and His generous love.

2) Take a few minutes to think about prayer. What does it mean to you? If you were to describe it to someone else, what words would you choose? Go ahead and try it out loud! Do you get what you ask for? How important is it? Is it even necessary? Why or why not? Wrestle with these questions long enough to feel uncomfortable. Like every other discipline that believers in Jesus take regular time to practice, Jesus modeled prayer for us. When we want to become exceptional at something, we study the professional, and when it comes to prayer, there is none better than Jesus Himself. On Thursday, Rebecca suggested reading through John 17, one of the richest passages of Jesus’ prayers. Take time this weekend to read it through multiple times and make simple notes and questions that stick out to you as you read. As you read, ask the Lord to open your eyes to see and understand prayer better. Ask Him to teach you how to pray just as He taught His disciples.

3) We live in a world where busyness and noise are prevalent. We’ve grown so accustomed to noise that if there is a pause in conversation, we feel the need to say something, anything, to end the silence. We fret when we’re resting, feeling like we’re wasting time. But solitude is actually biblical. As we saw in Christine’s Journey, Just Being, Jesus modeled solitude for us throughout the gospel accounts. He frequently slipped away for restorative time alone. His invitation to come and sit with Him in solitude is a gift for us (Matthew 11:28), for here He offers healing and rest. Are you taking advantage of His invitation? If so, how frequently? If not, what’s holding you back from starting? Spend some time journaling how you think solitude will help you receive God’s peace. Check out A God of Peace Journey Study for a little help. Plan a daily time of solitude for the next week and see how God uses it to bless you.

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Galatians 5:13-14 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Prayer Journal
Lord, thank You for providing us with the example of how to live our lives as followers of You. As we’ve studied this week, we know we should serve others, pray, and spend time alone in Your Presence. Did You not also do all these things? Help us embrace these disciplines so we can grow closer to You, spread Your love to those around us, and grow more Christlike as You heal and teach us in solitude with You. Only good can come from imitating You Lord. Let us pursue You with intention and gladness.

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Word Day 7 How’s Your Worship?: 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 How’s Your Worship?!

The Questions

1) What are the benefits of following the Lord?

2) David repeats the phrase, “the fear of the Lord”; what does this mean?

3) Why does David write, “bless the Lord”? I thought God blesses us.

Psalm 103

My soul, bless the Lord,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 My soul, bless the Lord,
and do not forget all his benefits.

3 He forgives all your iniquity;
he heals all your diseases.
4 He redeems your life from the Pit;
he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
5 He satisfies you with good things;
your youth is renewed like the eagle.

6 The Lord executes acts of righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He revealed his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.
9 He will not always accuse us
or be angry forever.
10 He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve
or repaid us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his faithful love
toward those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed
our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
14 For he knows what we are made of,
remembering that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass—
he blooms like a flower of the field;
16 when the wind passes over it, it vanishes,
and its place is no longer known.
17 But from eternity to eternity
the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear him,
and his righteousness toward the grandchildren
18 of those who keep his covenant,
who remember to observe his precepts.
19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord,
all his angels of great strength,
who do his word,
obedient to his command.
21 Bless the Lord, all his armies,
his servants who do his will.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works
in all the places where he rules.
My soul, bless the Lord!

Original Intent

1) What are the benefits of following the Lord?

In this psalm, David lists a multitude of benefits for following the Lord. Just because David was the one anointed to become king (1 Samuel 16:1-13), didn’t mean he was isolated and protected. He was hunted down to be killed by more than one person, including his own son, Absalom. (2 Samuel 17) He faced death often, and even before he was chosen as the next king, he was viewed as insignificant. (1 Samuel 17:33) He was also far from perfect. David murdered (2 Samuel 11:14-18), lied (1 Samuel 21:2-3), and committed adultery (2 Samuel 11:2-4). He still suffered the negative effects of those sins. Yet, he penned this psalm of praise, encouraging everyone to follow the Lord because His way is wise, best and overflowing with benefits. When he committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1-15), David experienced the benefit of the Lord’s forgiveness. (verses 3, 9-10) David knew firsthand what it meant to have his life saved from destruction as he was pursued by enemies. (verses 6, 8, and 13) Because David had experienced the many, gracious benefits of the Lord throughout his life, he confidently proclaimed how the Lord would continue blessing future generations who committed to following the ways of the Lord. (verses 15-19) We see one evidence of God’s generational blessing specific to David and his son, Solomon, in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:6.

 

2) David repeats the phrase, “the fear of the Lord”; what does this mean?

Fear in this case does not mean being afraid in the sense of terror, rather it means a humble recognition that God is all-powerful and the only One worthy of respect and glory. The fear of the Lord is reverential awe. David’s son, Solomon, would eventually write, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10) Fearing the Lord in the Old Testament looked like sacrifices, but it also was tightly connected to the posture of the heart. (Psalm 51:16-17, Isaiah 1:10-15) Brothers, Cain and Abel, both offered sacrifices, but only one brother’s offering was acceptable. (Genesis 4:4-5) Sacrifices were commanded by God because He wanted His people to understand that sinning against Him breaks His relationship with them. Sin pridefully asserts ourselves against God’s righteousness. Because God wanted His people to understand the seriousness of sin, and the reality that sin comes at a price, He instituted the Sacrificial System. Depending on the type of sin, sacrifices were required to pay the penalty of sin. Doves, grain, sheep, and bulls (yes, an entire cow!) were offered as atonement for sin when they stepped away from following God and His law. (Leviticus 19) All of this was designed to help Israel understand that fearing the Lord meant realizing God is righteous and holy while we are sinners, separated from Him. There were a lot of laws to remember, and along the way, Israel’s focus shifted from fearing the Lord to simply managing their behavior with ever-lengthening lists of “how to’s and don’t do’s”. David’s words were a reminder to Israel that fearing the Lord is a good thing; the best thing. Revering the Lord is the right way to live because only in this context, we enjoy a close relationship with the Lord. By walking in the fear of the Lord, God pours out His blessings on generations to come. (verses 13 and 17)

 

3) Why does David write, “bless the Lord”? I thought God blesses us.

There are several types of psalms including lament, thanksgiving, and praise among others. While some psalms combine themes, Psalm 103 is full of praise as the psalmist, David, lists reasons to “bless the Lord, oh my soul” both individually and corporately with other believers. David knew how to praise the Lord because he had witnessed the Lord’s kindness in all aspects of life, whether difficult or easy and he wrote many psalms extolling God’s goodness. He literally danced in the street so great was his desire to bless the Lord. (2 Samuel 6:14-22) David’s “oh my soul” refrain springs from a desire to go deeper in his worshipful adoration of the Lord. In the midst of his praise, David speaks to himself. He isn’t content with merely singing, or even dancing or hand-raising as outward expressions of praise. David wants to praise the Lord from the depths of his being. He wants to be all in for blessing the Lord.   

Everyday Application

1) What are the benefits of following the Lord?

Because the Lord doesn’t change, the benefits of following Him are the same for us as they were for King David and the generations who followed him. (Numbers 23:19, James 1:17) When Jesus came to earth as God incarnate (in human flesh), those who followed God experienced a fuller manifestation of His benefits. After Jesus ascended back to Heaven, He poured out the Holy Spirit to dwell within those who trusted Him. (Acts 2:4) His presence brought a radical abundance of blessing to God’s people. For us today, His benefit may not look like a leper being cleansed (Mark 1:40-45), but it could look like a different diagnosis, being healed completely, or having minimal side effects from a treatment. (verse 3) The benefits in the 21st century may be evidenced as the exact provision we need precisely at the time we need it. Deliverance may not be a physical “parting of the Red Sea”, but it could look like your plans suddenly changing, later realizing the shift ended up being better than the original plan. Even running late could be the Lord’s protection and deliverance from a potential accident. The Lord’s benefits are as simple as a flower’s bloom or as grand as healing, but the most significant benefit from the Lord is forgiveness from sin and redemption from our past. These benefits didn’t end when Jesus died on the cross, they only started there. The price Jesus paid to cover our unrighteousness was for all time. Repent from your sin, believe on the Lord Jesus, and your sins will be washed away just as David wrote, “…as far as the east is from the west.” (verse 12)

 

2) David repeats the phrase, “the fear of the Lord”; what does this mean?

Even today many view God as angry and vengeful when His “rules” aren’t followed. We tend to miss God’s heart’s desire to have a relationship with us. Still, our sin separates us from Him. This is why Jesus came as God in the flesh! Christ came to earth, sacrificing Himself as the full payment for all sin, demonstrating once and for all that God is merciful and gracious. He loves each person. In the Old Testament, sin had a sliding scale of “value”. Different sins mandated different types of sacrifices, some more costly than others. There may have been instances of people not being able to provide the sacrifice required, which meant they were still under the burden of unremitted, unforgiven sin. But Jesus! Jesus paid for all sin, whether large or small, past or present. All sin is sin. There are still consequences to our sins, but if we trust Jesus as our Savior to make payment for our sin and we repent, we are forgiven. The effects of sin remain as long as we are on earth, but the eternal price has been paid at Calvary with Jesus’ blood sacrifice. In our modern age, fearing the Lord should still be the focal point of our everyday lives. His love for us leaves us awestruck! Even when we are deep in sin, we are still loved and can be rescued! A lifestyle drenched in iniquity, a vice we can’t seem to overcome, even a bad attitude can become like mire and keep us trapped in the pit of sin. When we repent and believe in Christ, choosing to follow Him and His ways, we are rescued from the Pit of Hell! (verse 12) We are no longer separated from God! In Jesus, God in the flesh mercifully gave Himself for us. Instead of angry judgement, He gives compassion, love and mercy. We should stand in reverential awe of this divine, selfless grace as He wraps us in His love.

 

3) Why does David write, “bless the Lord”? I thought God blesses us.

We know how to bless others, like family and friends, with kind gestures of generosity or a thoughtful phone call, but how do we, mere humans, bless the Lord God Almighty? In our modern culture we use “bless” and “blessing” to mean bestowing gifts or as a description for receiving good things. But blessing the Lord can stem from nothing less than a true heart of worship. The Lord owns all things and has authority over all things, but He has given us free will to choose whether we will worship Him or worship ourselves. Even as finite human beings, we can indeed bless the Lord by surrendering our hearts in adoring worship to Him. While outward gestures bless people, the Lord looks at our hearts. We can raise our hands, bow our heads, and sing vibrantly, but unless our hearts are humbled before the King of Kings, we aren’t truly blessing Him. David wanted to praise God from his innermost being, to be completely in for blessing the God who rescued him. Psalm 103 lists a whole slew of reasons (if we needed some help) to give the Lord worship and praise. Let’s tap into the very deep core of our spirit, turning ourselves over in genuine worship to give God the praise and blessing due His name!

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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

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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!

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The GT Weekend! ~ Redeemed Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Have you ever felt like God was dead set against you? Maybe like God is ignoring you, finds you annoying, or is angry with you? Sometimes, it’s a lot easier, and sweeter, to believe lies over truth, just as was the case for Naomi. She allowed her feelings and her circumstances to override what she knew to be true of the character of Yahweh. Where have you done the same? The truth was, God was in her corner, actively engaged in what was going on in Naomi’s heart, her world, and the greater Kingdom good of His plan to bring redemption for humanity. This is entirely true for every single true believer of Christ. He knows our struggles, is always present with us, and is constantly working for our good and for the growth of His kingdom. Take this truth and extinguish the lies you hold onto!

2) Naomi returned to Bethlehem empty, but the Lord was ready to fill her in more ways than one. His kindness towards her was lavish! He immediately provided for Ruth and Naomi by satisfying their pressing physical needs of empty bellies and cabinets. Where are you facing physical emptiness? Are you trusting the Lord sees and knows these needs and will fill them in His perfect timing? How would it change the posture of your heart if you knew He was ready and willing to provide in His way and time? As you look around your community, where might the Lord be asking you to step up and be His hands and feet to fulfill someone else’s physical need just as He used Boaz to fill Ruth and Naomi’s needs? Pray and then act in obedience, knowing He will bless the offering of your heart and hands!

3) Following in faith the God who cannot see can prove to be an intense time of stretching for our hearts! As we study Scripture, and follow Jesus more closely, the more our hearts learn that He is indeed good and completely trustworthy, every single time. Create a short list of things you have learned about God since you’ve been studying Him. Apply those learned truths to your own set of challenging circumstances. Where you feel need, He is supplier. Where you feel alone, He is present. Where you feel grieved, He not only knows exactly how you feel, He also provides certain and sure hope. Ruth stepped out and obeyed, but it wasn’t blind faith, she knew the heart of God. Where is God asking you to do the same?

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Ephesians 3:20-21 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer Journal
In a world where seeing is believing, I confess, Lord God, that I fall into the trap of feeling, and then believing, that You are a stingy God. I might not say those words with my lips, but I certainly prove them by my actions and my thoughts. When I see relationships crumbling, I’m quick to feel defeated and like You do not care. I am quick to write the end of the story with defeat rather than admit the truth that I’m only in the middle of a story, and You hold the pen to its conclusion. Anchor the feet of my heart into truth. Let me persist in clinging to what is real over what are lies. Help me to receive all the fullness of beauty and truth You have for me; teach me to trust even when I cannot see!

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Hallel Day 7 We Will Bless: 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!
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The Questions

1) Why is trusting the Lord reiterated three times in verses 9-11 and what is the progression of specific people called out signify?

2) What is the significance of calling out specific groups of people? (verses 9-11)

3) Why would verses 17-18 have been especially meaningful or even confusing for the disciples as they sang these words at the last Passover with Jesus?

Psalm 115:9-18

Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
He will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord—
small and great alike.

14 May the Lord add to your numbers,
both yours and your children’s.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the Lord’s,
but the earth he has given to the human race.
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
nor any of those descending into the silence of death.
18 But we will bless the Lord,
both now and forever.
Hallelujah!

Original Intent

1) Why is trusting the Lord reiterated three times in verses 9-11 and what is the progression of specific people called out signify?
These verses immediately follow blatant descriptions of idols made by human hands and how foolish it is to worship them. (verses 4-8, Isaiah 44:9-20) They are proven untrustworthy and utterly incapable of bringing about any change in real life, let alone protection or blessing. With night and day contrast, the psalmist presses in, “….trust in the Lord! He is a help and shield!” In Scripture, when a word, phrase, or series of phrases is repeated, it is meant to underline its importance. It’s the equivalent of lifting the chin of a child and emphasizing, “Hey, look at me, I’m serious about this.”. This phrasing isn’t repeated once, but three times. This level of importance trumps all others. Pay attention, this is for real. Repeat it. Memorize it. Tattoo it on your arm. “Trust in the Lord! He is a help and shield!”  

2) What is the significance of calling out specific groups of people? (verses 9-11)
The progression of specific groups of people is interesting, and important to notice. “House of Israel” (verse 9) is beseeched first, calling the entirety of the nation of Israel as a whole. All of God’s chosen people, hello, pay attention here! Then the focus narrows to, “House of Aaron” (verse 10), signifying the Levites, which would be all the leaders within the Tabernacle. These were a smaller margin of people, who had also been especially set aside by God, to minister to Him in the temple and minister to His people. They had a pivotal role to play in spiritual leadership, and through the psalmist’s words, God calls them away from trusting in themselves or their idols. Trust Me only, says the Lord! Finally, the focus spotlights every person as an individual. “You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is a help and shield!” (verse 11) The progression of people being called out calls into focus God’s perspective on people and the high importance He places on His people as a whole, while not neglecting the beauty of a deep and intimate relationship on a personal level. In the end, all are called to trust in the Lord and have no idols before Him, none are excluded from this high calling. 

3) Why would verses 17-18 have been especially meaningful or even confusing for the disciples as they sang these words at the last Passover with Jesus?
This phrasing of “it is not the dead who praise You”, is used frequently throughout the psalms as the writer is pleading to God for life. In the previous verses, it is the blessing of life that is most evident. Life from the death of slavery. Life for a nation who wasn’t previously a nation. Life for a new generation from those who had died in the desert wanderings. Life in the new Promised Land. These were all blessings from the Lord in the form of life. Therefore, in contrast, the writer calls for the Lord to see that those who are dead cannot praise Him. Psalm 6:5 asks, “who will praise You from Sheol (meaning the grave)?”. The question itself is a plea for the continued blessing of life to be given, and protected, by the Author of Life. In an incredibly ironic scenario, the disciples heard from Jesus Himself on multiple occasions that He would be handed over to be crucified. This One, Jesus, whom the disciples had come to know as God Himself, the Source and Sustainer of life, would now, willingly, be put to death. Unfathomable!

Everyday Application

1) Why is trusting the Lord reiterated three times in verses 9-11 and what is the progression of specific people called out signify?
How often in your day to you wish you could pull back from it all? Maybe you wish you could run and hide? Maybe it’s not that intense, but you might be caught rolling your eyes or tossing a sharp verbal barb. When situations or relationships in everyday life go south, our first instinct is to suit up defensively and either wait it out while hiding in the armor, or get angry and start pushing back. These natural human instincts quite often don’t actually help strengthen our relationships or right our situations, rather they just delay the pain by trying to mute it, or make the whole thing worse. Suppose instead, we followed the strong, emphatic call from the wise psalmist and chose to “Trust the Lord!” while remembering ”He is a help and a shield!”. What can you do to start incorporating this shift? Maybe you aren’t tattooing it on your arm, but maybe you decide to write it in erasable marker on your bathroom mirror. Maybe you make it your phone’s lockscreen. Or maybe you grab a sharpie and you do write it on your arm! Whatever you do, this is worth taking seriously. It can change your focus, your relationships, and how you view your circumstances! Trusting the Lord is the doorway for His peace to fill you!

2) What is the significance of calling out specific groups of people? (verses 9-11)
Often, in the Western hemisphere, we place a supreme importance on individuality and personal freedom, ability, and expression of self. This has many strengths associated with it, but one major downfall is isolation with the idea that we don’t need anyone but ourselves. We can’t trust anyone. We don’t need anyone. We are self-made. This idea is completely counter to God’s view of people in Scripture. He didn’t intend for us to live in isolation, but together, always in community. Community with Himself and community with other brothers and sisters within the global Body of Christ are paramount and foremost. If we miss the bigger, broader picture that every believer is only a part of the whole, we have missed God’s heart for us as a people. Together, every Christian across all of time make up the singular Body, the Bride of Christ, His Church. This is critical to understanding how God sees us! In this part of the Hallel, we can be reminded that, as a Church, God is calling us to shift our eyes to Him, and off our impotent idols. He is worthy of our praise and He alone is trustworthy, a help, and a shield! Today, we don’t have the office of Levite, but we do have leaders within our church. Pastors, elders, deacons, and teachers are all called out precisely because they are the lead examples within the life of the Church. They are to model this full trust in the Lord! Finally, as individuals, having been reminded that we are one part of a whole, are to make sure our life is being lived out in the everyday through the lens of trusting the Lord. Big or small issues, He alone is trustworthy, He is worthy of worship, He is our help and shield! Trust the Lord!!

3) Why would verses 17-18 have been especially meaningful or even confusing for the disciples as they sang these words at the last Passover with Jesus?
As impossible as it was for the disciples to understand in the moment, we can see the full picture through reading the rest of the gospel story. In laying down His life, in dying our death, Jesus made true life available for all! His was the death that brought life. The death of Jesus actually did bring glory to God, because through it, no one would need to die and cease praising the Lord. In fact, just a little farther along in the Hallel, the psalmist emphatically makes this point by declaring, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” A believer who has trusted Jesus for their salvation blesses God through their physical death because they have transitioned from being apart from God, while in their body, to being in the very presence of God in Heaven! Bless the Lord with your life while you are still breathing by choosing the eternal life He offers to all and trust Him as your personal Savior from sin and eternal death and separation from Him!

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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!

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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 :-))

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Hallel Day 6 We Will Bless

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 115:9-18
John 13:21-38
Genesis 15:1-6
Revelation 19:4-10

Hallel, Day 6

“O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.

O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.

You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.”
(Psalm 115:9-11)

Our ears tingled as the somber song spilled over lips and filled the heavy air, reminding us to trust in Yahweh. Our bellies were full, but rather than the comfortable sated feeling we expected, every nerve reverberated with a tension we couldn’t quite explain.

Only moments ago, Judas had run from the room, practically upsetting the whole table in the process. There was a significance to be found there, but it was clear no one understood what it could be. Every word we sang resonated in our trembling hearts as minds spun to process what Yeshua had said.

What He was saying. 

“Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in himself and will glorify Him at once. Children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for Me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 

I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
(John 13:31-35)

Confusion reigned and dark eyes sought each other’s gaze in silent query.
What does He mean? Where is He going? Why did Judas flee so suddenly?

Our song continued.

“The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.

He will bless those who fear the Lord,
The small together with the great.”
(Psalm 115:12-13)

Simon Peter was first to ask the thought weighing on each of our spirits as we reclined around the room and listened to Teacher. “Lord, where are You going?”

Yeshua replied, but His words sparked more questions.
“Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”

The following exchange left us reluctant to ask anything more as we considered what we heard.

Peter would deny him thrice?
Simon Peter?
Peter, who leapt out into the stormy sea when he saw Yeshua walking on water?
Peter, who wanted to erect tabernacles to Yeshua, Moses and Elijah in Caesarea Philippi, the very epicenter of paganism in the land?
Peter, who only moments ago had boasted to our Lord that He might wash his head and hands, as well as his feet?  

Cold, unspeakable dread coiled in each belly as He continued to speak things which confounded us. What could Yeshua mean?  What was coming?

Our customary Hallel rang out again.

“May the Lord give you increase,
You and your children.
May you be blessed of the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.”
(Psalm 115:14-15)

And as He always did, He answered our thoughts as though they had been spoken aloud. His piercing, gentle gaze fell on one, then another.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 

You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 

I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me.
On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.”
(John 14:27-31)

Night had fallen; the absence of the sun was fitting. As we made ready to leave together, we could not escape the sense of finality echoing in our footsteps. Yeshua’s indescribable voice was kind as He spoke about abiding in the vine, but His eyes held great sadness.

“The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
But the earth He has given to the sons of men.
The dead do not praise the Lord,
Nor do any who go down into silence;
But as for us, we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the Lord!”
(Psalm 115:16-18)

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Treasure Day 8 The Gift Of Laboring

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 127:1-2
John 15:4-8
Colossians 1:16-18
Matthew 11:28-30

Treasure, Day 8

As treasures of God, created by and for Him,
we have been given the gift of work. 

Whether leading a corporation or a family, God has given each of us unique talents and opportunities to glorify Him and draw others to Himself. He has also provided guidelines to protect us and to help us learn to trust Him. As our Creator, God invites us into a working partnership, one in which He is both guide and co-laborer.

Psalm 127:1 explains,
“Unless the Lord builds the house,
the workers labor in vain who build the house;
Unless the Lord watches the city,
the watchmen watch in vain.”  

Our work should begin with God in mind.
Colossians 3:23 reminds us to do everything for the Lord. We are to seek Him first, allowing Him to guide our decisions and processes. When we do this, our priorities line up with His and we make decisions based on the principles He’s given His followers. Then, He can bless the work of our hands and we can step back and celebrate His work through us!

However, our identities can get tangled up in the work we do, instead of who God says we are.  When this happens, we become greedy, prideful, critical, and absent from those we love.

When we don’t view our work as God’s purposes through us, we begin micromanaging and hovering over every project instead of trusting those assigned to the work. Rather than working as a team, allowing all members to learn and thrive, decisions are made to feed the ego of the leader.

As we continue to find identity in our work,
we are consumed with busy-ness,
eventually neglecting regular meetings with our Father,
and further becoming enslaved to the success of the job to prove our worth.

We were made for work, but not for constant work.
Our bodies were made for a balance of work and rest. How kind of our Creator to model this for us! He spent six days creating, then spent the seventh day resting.

As God, He doesn’t need rest, but He showed us the importance of stepping back, seeing all we’ve done, and resting. As we practice regular Sabbath, lovingly given for our good, we demonstrate the trustworthiness of our God, who designs our work and holds all things together.

In addition, as Jesus modeled, we need to take time away daily to connect with the Lord, He who loves us best and in Whom we find our true identity. When we allow ourselves to be filled with Him first, the work we do is fueled with His purpose and energy.

As we consistently abide in Him, our work bears fruit as God intended, glorifying Him. He also reminds us how deeply He loves those we lead, and we learn how to lead them well.

Perhaps the greatest obstacle to getting time away from work is our devices. Our phones are no longer connected to the wall, but accompany us wherever we go, making us constantly, immediately accessible. With the ease of remote work comes the double-edged sword of always being “on” and consumed by work.

In addition, our devices make it all too easy to trade quietness and reflection in favor of unceasing preoccupation with social media or even games. Peeking at the screen “just this once” becomes an entire vacation lost, or a day with the family plunged into electronic isolation.

Be assured, sister, if you identify with any of this, you are not alone.

I am currently working to build limits for my own cell phone use and lack of true rest. Though I don’t work outside the home, I can get lost in the search for dinner ideas, recipes, or ways to more effectively manage my home.

The too-high cost is precious time with my family. I end up feeling more frustrated about my lack of productivity, lack of time to pursue creative outlets, or inability to rest and connect with Jesus. If you find yourself there as well, take heart and be reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30,

“Come to me all you who are weak and weary,
and I will give you rest.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Our Savior knows we need rest.
The Holy Spirit gently reminds us true rest, like our true identity, is found in Him.
When we seek Him first, trusting Him with the details of the job, He is faithful to provide restoration to our weary souls as He blesses the work of our hands.

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Focus Day 6 Listen Up

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Read His Words Before Ours!

James 3:1-12
Proverbs 4
Psalm 34:1-5
1 Samuel 21

Focus, Day 6

Abba, how would You have me manage my stress? My hours are ticking, I want to go running, I’m so annoyed that I can’t, I know I am keep people at arm’s length.
I know You’ve called my words and actions to consistently speak of Your Love…..but, Lord?
I can’t handle people!

I need space and time and running. And I have none of those.
My words are sharp to others. Critical. Passive-aggressive. Tense. Rude.
I know You’ve called me to love others, but I just can’t, Lord. I can’t.

“Listen, my daughter, accept My words.
Guard them, they are life for you.”

I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise will always be on my lips.
I will boast in the Lord;
The humble will hear and be glad.
Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me;
Let us exalt His Name together.

Your words from Psalm 34:1-3.
Your Words, Abba.

I think I can relate to David here, Lord. Not because I am faithfully blessing You or boasting constantly of You to others, but because of the tense insanity of David’s moments as he penned the words.
Maybe the force of his stress prompted a moment of sitting with You, like I am tonight.
Maybe as He sat, pouring out his frustration and complete inabilities and fears,
perhaps Your Spirit stirred within Him.
And there, in his frustrated anxiety, You, Spirit, reminded Him to bless the Lord at all times, as You’re reminding me.
To boast of You that others would know You.
To proclaim You and Your greatness, even in the midst of insane chaos.

Maybe, in this simple call to worship, You rearranged the too-tight, anxiety-ridden places inside David’s heart, just as You’re doing in mine tonight.

It wasn’t up to David and his skill or his political prowess to get him out of the Philistine’s land, it was up to You.

I will bless the Lord
at
all
times.

His praise will
always
be on my lips.

I will boast in the Lord.

A call to worship, a reminder of Who is sovereign.
Yahweh.
And who is not.
David. (and me)

Your Spirit carried David deeper after You reminded him to pick up worship instead of worry.
You anchored him in truth, replanting his feet off of himself and into the steadfast faithfulness of Your heart and character.

I sought the Lord
and He answered me.

Pause. Break. Cease.
B R E A T H E

Was David weeping now as Your Spirit crashed over his heart?
As you assuaged his fears?
As you pointed him towards Your heart of boundless love and towards Your ear that never wearies of listening and is always fully present to our cries?

Did David’s arms lift heavenward as his knees fell to the floor as You taught Him wisdom?
Did his voice catch as he spoke the Spirit-led refrain in jagged words, one after the other, slowly, like a steady rain, gradually bringing the cracked, dry soil of his heart back to life?
Was his face upturned as the tears ran over his beard and Your Spirit danced within him,
reshaping his heart?

I sought the Lord
and
He
answered
me.

You answered me, Lord.
You always answer me.
Every cry is heard.
Every tear is seen.
Every gaping open wound is held firm by Your hand as You heal.

Thousands of generations later, I whisper with outstretched arms, tears coursing down my cheeks, and Your Spirit bringing me back to life, moving me away from the jaws of anxious fear and hurtful interactions and into the sweet embrace of being known, seen, heard, and answered.

I sought the Lord and He answered me.

David’s outstretched hands now burst with energy, lifting higher still.
A wild grin spreads across his face, making the skin stretch where the salty trails have left their mark.
He’s been made new.
Again.

Joy floods his soul for his God has heard and answered.
Fear flees, peace rushes in.
Those who look to You, Yahweh, are radiant with joy!
Their faces will never be ashamed.

The fear that had held David hostage, clamping its fist around his throat is no longer remembered as radiant joy brings laughter instead of tears,
light to his eyes instead of terror,
and dancing to his feet.

David has stood in the very presence of Radiant Joy.
Where fear and shame once held him, David now parades with glee.

I wonder the observations others must have made following those moments he spent with You, Lord. Distant, withdrawn, snapping at others, a dark look and demeanor cloaking him, but then light flooding his countenance, peace pervading his every action, and joy fueling his words and interactions.

And such magnificent transformation is the norm for those who dwell in the presence of the Most High God!

How would You have me handle my stress, Lord?
How can I possibly love with my words and actions when anxiety and fear overtake me?
Too many ‘must accomplish’ tasks and no more time.
Annoyed at people.
Withdrawn and overwhelmed, pushing others away.

One word.
Worship.

Abba, forgive me for trusting myself instead of You.
Thank you for filling me with a peace that passes all comprehension and transforming me with undeniably radiant joy as you make me wise.
You Are My Good!

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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 Focus Week Two! 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 Focus!