Worship comes from an old English word “worth-shape.” In other words, whatever we worship shapes us. Every single one of us struggles with idols of the heart. Idols cannot be destroyed, but they can be replaced. May the Lord replace our longing for human approval, or junk food, or control with Himself. The psalms will lead us to worship Christ, and in worshiping Him, we will find, to our amazement, our idols will be pushed off the throne, and we will find that we are shaped by Him, changed, conformed not to the ugly idols of this world, but to His image. We become beautiful, like Him. Filled with peace, joy, self-control, wisdom, and love.
This week we’ll be looking at an overview of some psalms that help us worship Christ and we’ll use what has become one of the favorite praise songs of this generation to help us worship as well: Shout to the Lord. It’s the first song on the CD in A Woman of Worship. It has a Spanish chorus in it as well, which I love for it helps me remember His Bride is from every tribe and nation, worshiping Him throughout the earth.
If you are just beginning with us, I suggest you take a question or two a day — respond to other people as you feel led, and be creative with your worship. Use the internet to find different versions of Shout to the Lord or Bible translations. Download a great sermon or worship music and walk outside. Let’s not just study worship — let’s do it. Then from the overflow of our hearts, we can strengthen one another.
Lord, I lift up each sojourner who is desirous of studying the psalms. I pray you would quicken her (or him!) and draw her to you. Give us hearts to worship you. I ask this in the name of the only One worthy of worship.
Start memorizing Shout to the Lord.
1. What old English word is the word worship derived from? What does this say to you?
2. My Jesus, My Savior implies a sweet intimate relationship with the Lord. How do you see that the psalmist had this in:
A. Psalm 116:1-2
B. Psalm 8:3-4
C. Share a time from the recent past when you were aware that the Lord was personally mindful of you.
2. Lord, There is None Like You
3. Meditate on Psalm 22 in which David describes a terrible time of suffering. Yet behind David is Christ, for this is a clear Messianic psalm. Find descriptions of what Jesus endured for you. Praise Him for this. Use music, if there is a song or hymn that helps you, share it.
My Comfort, My Shelter
Continue learning and singing Shout to the Lord
4. Describe the emotions of the psalmist in Psalm 18:1-6. Give references with your answer.
Eugine Peterson says often our prayers are “cut flower prayers,” lacking the passion we see in the psalms. They lack the passion we see in the psalms. What brings passion into our lives? I have found that it often comes through suffering — when we have to turn to the Lord and do so, with the kind of passion we see in Psalm 18. When, in time, we find He rescues us (though the rescue may be quite different than anticipated) we are filled with gratitude and again, our prayers have passion. Share one time when the Lord was “your comfort, your shelter.”
Mountains Bow Down and The Seas Will Road
5. Meditate on Psalm 18:7-19 and describe the images of God coming to the rescue.
Forever I’ll Stand
SING SHOUT TO THE LORD WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE LYRICS
6.Derek Kidner reminds us that Psalm 18 is ultimately Messianic. With that in mind, look at Psalm 18:20-27. How do you see Him here?
7. In Psalm 18:29-50 list what God does that no one else can do.
8. What will you remember from this week’s lesson?
44 comments
I just “coincidentally” came across these two verses on idols this week. One from the Old and one from the New Testament:
“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” Jonah 2:8 Jonah said that in the dark, smelly insides of the fish’s tummy.
The word idol brings images of little statues, or pagan temples, like how they’re portrayed in the Old Testament, but look at how they’re defined by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament in this second verse ~~
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, WHICH IS IDOLATRY.” Colossians 3:5
Like what you wrote, Dee, above, “Whatever we worship, shapes us.” I don’t want to be shaped by sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed! Been there, done that, and I know from personal experience how bad it smells in the belly of the fish! Yuck!
Thanks for this study, Dee! God bless you, Gloris
1. What old English word is the word worship derived from?
Worship is derived from WORTH-SHAPE
What does this say to you?
This says to me that who/what I show the most worth [adoration]
to is who/what I devote my life to.
Additional thought.
And who/what I worship determines how I spend every moment of my life.
1. What old English word is the word worship derived from? What does this say to you?
The fact that “worship” is derived from “worth-shape” tells me that we are shaped by what we worship as well as that we worship what we see as worthy. This exposes our hearts; we worship what we see as good, and without Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we will put inappropriate things on the throne where God belongs. We must carefully guard our worship so it truly is for our King.
2. My Jesus, My Savior implies a sweet intimate relationship with the Lord. How do you see that the psalmist had this in:
A. Psalm 116:1-2
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
The psalmist knew that his communication with God was not one-sided; God listens and answers our cries. He hears our voices. His ear is turned to us.
It’s easy to read these verses and think this couldn’t possibly apply to us as well, but it is all just as true for us as it was for
the psalmist.
B. Psalm 8:3-4
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
God, the Almighty God Who made all of the limitless universe, cares for me! He loves me as limitlessly as He made the universe.
C. Share a time from the recent past when you were aware that the Lord was personally mindful of you.
I know that God is mindful of me not only in the large ways of salvation and purpose in my life, but also when those little things go right in the day… I finished all I had to do that day, or found something for which I’d been searching. Just when I need to talk to a Christian friend about something, the phone rings and that friend is on the other end. Those nagging questions in my heart begin to find answers.
4. Describe the emotions of the psalmist in Psalm 18:1-6. Give references with your answer.
Love (v. 1), relief and assurance (v 2), desperation and panic (v. 4-5), distress (v 6) and hope (v.6).
Eugine Peterson says often our prayers are “cut flower prayers,” lacking the passion we see in the psalms. They lack the passion we see in the psalms. What brings passion into our lives? I have found that it often comes through suffering — when we have to turn to the Lord and do so, with the kind of passion we see in Psalm 18. When, in time, we find He rescues us (though the rescue may be quite different than anticipated) we are filled with gratitude and again, our prayers have passion. Share one time when the Lord was “your comfort, your shelter.”
God has been my comfort and shelter since I’ve been away from college and my normal life by being ever-present and constantly comforting. It has been through this that God has brought about my realization of how much He loves me.
Mountains Bow Down and The Seas Will Road
5. Meditate on Psalm 18:7-19 and describe the images of God coming to the rescue.
All the senses are active in perceiving God’s rescue. One hears the thunder, smells and tastes the smoke, sees the lightning and feel the hail coming down. He is all-encompassing. He lays the earth bare, yet is gentle to save the psalmist at the end. “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”
Forever I’ll Stand
SING SHOUT TO THE LORD WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE LYRICS
6.Derek Kidner reminds us that Psalm 18 is ultimately Messianic. With that in mind, look at Psalm 18:20-27. How do you see Him here?
I see Christ’s righteousness and how He never departed from what God commands.
7. In Psalm 18:29-50 list what God does that no one else can do.
God strengthens us and allows us to overcome (v 20-36), He allows victory over enemies (v. 37-42), delivers from enemy attacks (v. 43-49). In verse 50 we read that He is the source of the king’s power and victories, who blesses David’s family forever.
8. What will you remember from this week’s lesson?
I will remember how mighty God is and how loving He is – both sides of a perfect whole.
“I will remember how mighty God is and how loving He is – both sides of a perfect whole.”
I like that, Tracy. So glad someone so mighty is also so loving. Thanks for putting it that way. Gloris
#1. What old English word is the word “worship” derived from? What does this say to you?
Worship is derived from the word “worth shape”.
I’ve heard is said many times that every person has a “God shaped vacuum” inside of them. We often try to fill that vacuum with other things that we think will fill the longings in our hearts; longing for meaning in life, a sense of purpose, the longing for intimacy and love.
We want to feel important and significant. But the only One who can rightly fill that vacuum is the Lord Himself.
I can remember clearly, when I was college-age, and not a believer, I would read Cosmopolitan magazine, and that’s what I thought “today’s woman” was supposed to be like. So I tried to be like the kind of woman portrayed in that magazine. I see now, how foolish I was.
Even as a believer, I often try to “fill up” with something other than the Lord. I don’t take my unmet needs to Him, and I end up feeling depressed, feeling a sense of despair, lonely, and empty. It’s a lesson I must learn over and over again that my significance and worth is found in Jesus Christ. That when I make Him King, and Lord, (and not try to put myself on the throne), I am less self-preoccupied and focused instead on Him and able to experience His love.
I am also reminded of the verse from Romans 12:2, which tells us to not be conformed (shaped) by this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Our minds are renewed by the Word, and I also feel they will be renewed as we practice worshipping Christ.
A Psalm that I feel also ties into this theme is Psalm 1 and the image of the man (or woman) who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night being like a firmly planted tree, a tree planted by streams of water (I think of Christ, the Living Water), yielding fruit (the fruits of peace, joy, self control, wisdom and love, as Dee mentioned).
Wow, now this little phrase of worth shape is running around and around in my brain! Worship, true worship, has to be completely laying myself aside, not even having a thought of how this is going to benefit me by making me feel better, or more loved, or whatever. It must be total abandonment of ME and total focus on CHRIST. To worship Him because He is to be worshipped, because He alone is worthy of worship.
I like what Tracy said about how we worship what we see as worthy.
That first part, that we are shaped by what we worship, I have a picture of an arrow pointing in my direction.
But Tracy’s comment, we worship what we see as worthy, sends the arrow back in the other direction, not pointing at me, but straight to God.
This probably makes no sense whatsoever, but I’m thinking that the right way to worship is keeping “the arrow” pointing away from me, so it’s all about God. The fact that I will be “shaped” into His image, then, is an effect that that kind of worship will have on me, but the really, really hard part is to stop thinking of myself at all, and to worship Him.
What you say,Susan, about why we worship is very convicting to me. I see that over time, because of the joy in worship, it has gradually become about me and what I get out of it. Thanks for sharing that.
I agree, Susan. That’s my prayer, that my focus will be God-ward, not inward.
P.S. My son finally got to Rome, a day later than scheduled, but he is there! His flight was cancelled on Sunday to JFK, and the group of students and chaperones were divided FIVE different ways, with kids flying out of Detroit or Boston or New York or Atlanta; they flew my son’s little group to Atlanta and then they were supposed to fly from Atlanta to London to Rome, but when they arrived in Atlanta, only his teacher and his wife had seats on the flight to London, so the rest of them spent the night in Atlanta and then were flown back to JFK, and then out to Rome Monday night. And on top of all that, their little group’s luggage is lost! But thankfully, he is safe and everyone is together now; for now he’s got the clothes on his back!
I have to believe that this is how God answered my prayers for his safety!
Wow! How complicated! Glad they all made it safe and sound. Praise God!
What will you remember from this week’s lesson?
I started participating in this blog because a friend and I had recently decided to go through another study on Psalms this summer. When I discovered you were also covering Psalms, I thought it would be neat to get two different perspectives. I have recently started leading the singing portion of our Sunday a.m. worship service and often find myself knowing more about what scriptures to turn to in support of the songs we sing. I came in hoping this study would help me in that area.
As I read through this week’s lesson yesterday, I was impacted by Psalm 18 and decided to go back and focus on it every day. Today, the phrase from verse 19 “He delivered me because He delighted in me” stopped me in my tracks.
I find myself often using my devotion time to seek scriptural guidance for situations others are involved in or to guide the service I do for others. Rarely am I able to slow down and just relish in the fact that God delights in me and wants me to spend time in his word and with him for the sole purpose of God and I spending time together. I need to focus more on the fact that he is MY Jesus and MY Savior and that he delivered Me because he delights in ME.
Thanks for the reminder, Anna. He delights in us. Wow! I delight in chocolate, mochas, a good hair day. Things more than people. But he delights in US.
I wanna be like that, delighting in people. AND I want to delight in the Lord.
Gloris
p.s. I do delight in reading everyone’s comments, too, and am SO delighted to be focusing on worship this summer.
“My Jesus, My Savior. Lord there is NONE like you…” 🙂
That reminds me of my prayer time the other night. I was so captivated by Who God Is and how lovely He is and how He loves us as beloved children, I didn’t bring my usual requests before Him because I just wanted to behold Him. It blessed me so much!
I’ve read all your responses so far and am thankful for them. Meditating on worth shape — so good.
Reading a book called Idols of the Heart in which she says that when 76% of Americans are told the first commandment they say they have never broken it.
Eager to keep reading your good thoughts.
#2. “My Jesus, My Savior” implies a sweet intimate relationship with the Lord. How do you see the psalmist had this in:
A. Psalm 116:1-2
David shows this intimacy with God by saying “I love the Lord, because He hears my voice.” David knows God listens to Him.
B. Psalm 8:3-4
David knows this awesome God personally, this God who created the heavens and the moon and stars; this same God cares for David personally.
C. Share a time from the recent past when you were aware that the Lord was personally mindful of you.
Well, even daily when the Holy Spirit convicts me of sin in my life, that tells me that God, the Creator, knows about me personally and wants to root out the sin in my life.
Two days ago, I went for a walk at a nearby walking track. There was an elderly man, around age 70-75, I would guess, who asked if he could walk with me. I thought perhaps this was someone God brought into my path, perhaps he was a widower and was lonely, so I said okay. There were other walkers around, too. We had friendly, pleasant conversation, and then he asked me if I would like to walk in a different area, into a park that opens up off of this walking track that goes back into the woods. I had an uneasy feeling and I said no.
When the walk was ended, he suddenly put his arm around my waist and tried to propel me toward his car, and he also tried to kiss me. I backed away and went to my car. Later that day, I reported this to the local sheriff deputy. It’s sad because I thought I was being “Christian” in conversing with an elderly man who certainly didn’t appear threatening, but I also feel God protected me because I began to have an inner, nagging feeling that something wasn’t right, especially after he asked me to go into the other park with him.
I know God saw the whole thing!
Creepy! Oh, Father, may this man please come to know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. (verse?) And please keep us all safe as we’re out in the world trying to exercise and stay healthy. In Jesus’ name, Amen! *shiver*
1. What old English word is the word worship derived from? What does this say to you? Worth-Shape
2. My Jesus, My Savior implies a sweet intimate relationship with the Lord. How do you see that the psalmist had this in:
A. Psalm 116:1-2
He had plans for me. If he intended my praise of Him to shape me into something made from his hand or his image.. then I am astonished.
B. Psalm 8:3-4
This reminds me of the covenant God has made with us. He is faithful, loving and mindful of us- just like in a marriage. When I realized I was lost in sin and cried out for his help, he met with me. In a most loving and personal way, he turned his ear to me.
….. thanks soooo much for this!
Hey, guys, is it ok I’m commenting on everybody else’s comments?! As I read what someone wrote I comment to myself and then want to let them know what I thought. It’s the way I am. I’m usually the most talkative in a group setting, too. Hope it’s not annoying. Gloris
I love the way you jump in and share encouragement. You can be our ‘sister’ hen who looks after the chicks. You are not annoying me.
No, not at all. I think it is more like conversation and it is good to comment on thoughts as they come up.
You add so much to our study and your comments are insightful. I agree with Anne that it’s like having a conversation, and if we were all together in a group in one place, we’d be talking back and forth like that.
thanks guys…*tears*
2. A. Psalm 116:1-2 How do I see the sweet relationship between the psalmist and the Lord?
Experience has taught the psalmist God is trustworthy. He cries out for courage and strength to defend the flock when wild beasts threaten harm. He asks for aid as he seeks protection for the flock from the elements when the weather is foul and rough. He seeks the One who never leaves him when loneliness sets in after many, many days of tending the flocks.
Solitude has taught the psalmist to express his adoration for the Lord through song. If he were a modern day psalmist I’m sure he would select the following as his favorite:
I love you Lord and I lift my voice
To worship you, Oh my soul rejoice.
Take joy my King in what you hear.
May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.
B. Psalm 8:3-4
It is during the night hours the psalmist is more aware of his humanity. As he keeps watch over his flock by night, he looks up and sees the moon and twinkling stars. The sky is one gigantic glittering jewel. As the psalmist ponders his role in the scheme of creation, he asks-“Why does God love humanity so much?” “Why does God ‘need’ man?”. Even though the psalmist cannot answer his own questions, he is grateful. Gratitude fills his heart as he realizes that, in the sea of humanity, God see him, knows his name, and is acutely aware of his physical and spiritual condition.
C. Share a recent time God was mindful of you.
Last Thursday afternoon as I was preparing to help my client attend to a bath, her daughter dropped in for a visit. Declining her invitation to stay for the chat, I stepped outside to sit on the front porch. As a breeze began to stir the leaves, I remembered the words of a camp counselor: “When we get hot, God sends the wind to cool us”. A bird began to sing. I closed my eyes and listened. A few minutes later, I realized the sun was bearing down, the air was silent, and the voices on the other side of the front door had stopped. My private concert, which had been arranged by my eternal husband, had finished and, somewhat reluctantly, I returned inside to my duties.
I experienced a “private concert” myself this evening. I noticed fireflies dancing above a field as I drove home. I pulled over and got out of the car to watch the show. Soooooo pretty!
I stood by the side of the road breathing in the summer-y evening smell of damp country grass and fresh air. The sun’s last rays lit up the horizon off to the left with soft yellows, pinks and purples against the darkening sky as thousands of little lights flashed on and off in front of me above the dark field. sigh…
“The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2
Gloris
How wonderful!
1. What old English word is the word worship derived from? What does this say to you? Worth-shape says that I am shaped by what I value. If I love money, I will be greedy. If I love control, I will use people and never love or enjoy them. If I love food, I will be overweight and unhealthy. If I love sex, I will be a pervert. If I love myself I become narcissistic. But…if I love God I will become like Christ. That really gives me some perspective.
2. My Jesus, My Savior implies a sweet intimate relationship with the Lord. How do you see that the psalmist had this in:
A. Psalm 116:1-2 David knew he had experienced God’s mercy and that God had listened to him. He wanted to talk to Him forever. When I can’t seem to connect with God I must remember this. He is merciful toward me and listening to my cry. My Savior.
B. Psalm 8:3-4 Creation certainly is marvelous. I do feel small compared to it. Humans are so fearfully and wonderfully made. We can see it when looking at a newborn baby but when the sin nature becomes so evident and the innocence of childhood is gone we do not look so good. I am amazed at the energy I spend trying to cover that nature up. I try to ignore it but it makes me look really bad. My tendency is to continue in this pattern until I fall flat and then I cry out to God. But God…is always there.
C. Share a time from the recent past when you were aware that the Lord was personally mindful of you. This evening I was feeling so low, I had fallen flat and all I can do is cry out to the Lord. I just cried out to Him. I know He will help me but for now I was just sad. Suddenly I remembered a lace cap hydrangea I planted at least 5 years ago and the frost has gotten it every year. I never see it unless I lean over and look out the window. The thought just came to me to look and it has blooms all over it, just starting to open. I am amazed at how blessed my heart was by that small part of creation. I know He is mindful of me because of how that gift went straight to my heart.
Thinking this morning about how I see myself and others compared to what the truth is according to Psalm 8. Creation is so good and I take it from this chapter that man is the best part (the crown of creation doesn’t the Bible say somewhere?). He is created a little less than God (v.5) and ruler over this wonderful creation (v.6-8). Satan continues to be hard at work messing that up but he is a defeated foe. Lord how can this knowledge change the way I see myself and others?
I am leaving today for my trip. God has worked out the details and it looks like I will have some extended tome alone with Him. I am so hopeful. I should be able to continue on the study, Lord willing, because I can take my laptop.
Anne
I’ve been praying for you and your alone time with God. Have a wonderful time.
Thank you Tammy. I was a little fearful (imagine that!) that I might not hear from the Lord. I brought quite a few books but have been led to read A Sacred Sorrow by Michael Card and read through Job today as suggested in the book. It is a good book.
Hi all! I hope you don’t mind if I jump right in! I love what you ladies write, I love you Dee, for opening this up, for all these women to come together to talk about the Lord – what better thing could we talk about!! 🙂
C. Share a time from the recent past when you were aware that the Lord was personally mindful of you!
There are so many times in the recent past that I felt the Lord was personally mindful of me, but 2 instances stand out in my mind. The first one was when I had to go for a biopsy. I was afraid. I thought oh yuk, long needles and every thing. Yuk, but the Lord was so gracious to me, he sent me this nurse, with such a cheery attitude, she made me smile, and when I had to go in to get the biopsy, she was in the room with me, and held my hands the whole time – it was just like God saying to me, I am with you, do not be afraid. The second time, I was in the hospital, and had been sick the whole day, throwing up and everything, and again, there was this beautiful nurse, who was so kind, the next day she brought in home-made chicken soup for me, I was so touched, she did not have to, that was not her job, but she did, and again, I just felt the Lord’s loving arms around me, saying I am there! I am here!
Thank you Dee for opening this up! You bless us!
Fellowsojourner.
WONDERFUL STORY FELLOWSOJOURNER!
Thinking about Anna’s comment on the phrase “He delivered me because He delighted in me.” I need to hear that, because so often I am not delighted in me, all I can see is my sin, how I’ve messed up in the past, and I don’t see why God would ever choose me. The word delighted makes me think of a carefree, lighthearted kind of love, an affection of the heart. It is hard to believe God feels that way about me!
#4. Describe the emotions of the psalmist in Psalm 18:1-6.
v.1 love for the Lord
v.2 dependence upon the Lord
v.3 relief – he is saved from his enemies
v.4-5 overwhelming fear for his life
v.6 anguish and distress but hope because God heard his cries for help
Psalm 18:7-19 Images of God coming to the rescue:
v. 7 God’s anger is aroused against David’s enemies
V. 8 Smoke coming from His nostrils and fire from His mouth
v. 9-10 The heavens parting and God coming to the rescue, “soaring on
the wings of the wind”
v. 11-13 Imagery of a storm – dark rain clouds, thunder, lightning
bolts, hail
v. 14 God attacks His enemies with arrows and great lightning bolts
v. 15 There is nowhere to hide from God’s wrath
v, 16-19 Images of God grabbing hold of David who is in “deep waters”
rescuing him from enemies who more powerful than him but
no match for God; God places David in a place of safety.
Susan’s comment about “So often I think he is not delighted in me,” in response to Anne’s comment.
I think if we could really believe that — and the cross surely shows us that His love is deep — our idols would be pushed aside and we’d be able to live out our Christ identity
Help us see Your great love and delight, Oh Lord.
I’ll post again MOnday, so please finish your contemplations.
One of the things I love about Shout to the Lord is that it pictures the heart of David to me — the way he was so filled with wonder and love and gratefulness.
On that note, this is a wonderful article by Tim Keller on the Acid Test of Being a Christian. Would love your comments. It’s short.
http://www.monergism.com/acidtest.html — you may need to paste it into your browser
Dee,
Wonderful article. Dr. Keller describes the ‘ideal’ Christian life. Quite a contrast to what is practiced in, as you recently put it, ‘Churchianity’. What I enjoy about Dr. Keller is his ability to explain deep truths in simple language. He doesn’t talk over my head. Personally, I am amazed at God’s love for me. For years I lived with a cloud of doom over my head for I expected to die young because of my rebellion. The enemy wanted me to believe there was no hope. I know I don’t deserve God’s compassion and mercy. AS Spurgeon put it, we will never have the answer to why God delights in us. Angels certainly don’t understand why God takes care of we humans whose sin stomped all over Jesus. I’m beginning to see that I do not need all the answers to the questions. If any of us were given what we deserved the earth would be empty of humanity. I just want to honor God with the days I have left to praise Him on this earth.
A moralist says, “what good is all my religion, what good is going to God, I have tried hard to be a Christian, I am trying hard to be obedient to God, and what good is it? God owes me.”
I have had those moments before.
I know, its crazy to think that way after we have “known” him –
God’s goodness, mercy, faithfulness, justice, love …..
But then I see that it’s simply me being selfish and self-centered.
I am still learning, but knowing the truth about God’s love now quiets me.
3. Find descriptions of what Jesus endured for me. Praise Him for this. Share music.
I’ll begin with the music. I have the soundtrack to The Passion of The Christ. I chose to listen to tracks 11-14 (crucifixion-removal from the cross) as I read Psalm 22 aloud. I found this greatly enhanced my preparation for meditation.
Descriptions of what Jesus endured for me:
1. Separation from presence of God the Father. v.1
2. Sarcastic tauntings of the crowds and religious leaders. vv.7,12
3. Flagellation v.14
4. Journey to the place of crucifixion v.15
5. Death on the cross v.16
Praise Him:
Jesus
For me
Flesh beat
Blood ran
Curse worn
Hell trip
Father’s scorn
May my life bring fame to Your Holy Name. I Praise You. Thank You for Your Great Mercy. Amen.
4.Describe the emotions of the psalmist in Psalm 18:1-6. Give references with your answer. Share one time when the Lord was “your comfort, your shelter”.
In vv. 1-3 the overlying emotion is ENTHUSIASM. David can hardly contain his excitement for knowing God.
The first emotion David emits is LOVE. The Hebrew word for love used in v.1 is unusual for it refers to a compassion as deep as a mother’s love. Ponder that with me. We are to love Jesus with maternal love. We are to love Him with all the love and tenderness a mother has for her child. So often, I find that I am more concerned about how Jesus is treating me than how I am treating Him.
In v.2 David expresses CONFIDENCE and TRUST. He knows from experience God will take care of him.
In v.3 he expresses HOPE: anticipating God acting on his behalf.
In vv. 4-6 the mood shifts to FEAR. David wonders if God has turned his back on him.
In v.4 we the psalmist feeling VULNERABLE. He is surrounded by his enemies with no venue of escape.
In v.5 SELF-PITY has taken hold. He begins dwelling on his sorrows.
In v.6 FRUSTRATION rears its head. David is dissatisfied because his problem has not been resolved.
I spent this morning reading my prayer journal from June 2009 to present. It was 2 yrs ago yesterday that I received the first email telling me I was living under false pretenses. God has been my Comfort and Shelter these past months by His Spirit and Word. His Spirit was my Shelter when He called me by name as I about to dole out vengenance. “Tammy, if you do this, these people will be affected by your sin”. He brought to my mind my church family and the precious AWANA clubbers. I also realized how much my family would be impacted. But, most of all, I realized God’s name would be dishonored. His Word has been my Comfort for it is the place I run to for refuge when I am surrounded by bitterness, deception, despair, and hypocrisy.
5. Meditate on Psalm 18:7-19 and describe the images of God coming to the rescue.
God is described as:
v.7 an earthquake.
v.8 a volcano erupting.
v.9 a tornado.
v.10 acting with the force of hurricane winds.
vv. 11-14 a thunderstorm.
6. How do you see Jesus in Psalm 18:20-27?
I see Jesus’ sinless life in vv.20-23. In v. 24 I see His resurrection from the dead. In. vv. 25-27 I see Jesus’ total victory over sin. …thou wilt save the afflicted.
7. In Psalm 18:29-50 list what God does that no one else can do.
Only God gives:
Courage to defeat a foe who looks undefeatable. vv.29,37,38
Shield of faith to stop arrows of enemy. v.30
Solid rock of truth to stand on. v.31
His joy which is my strength. v.32,39
Steadfastness vv.33,36
Battle instructions v.34
Salvation from myself. Humility v.35
Glory to Himself for victories in my life. vv.46,49
Total deliverance from enemies. vv.47.48,50
8. What will I remember from this week’s lesson?
I will remember that it was during this week’s lesson I learned to ask God to help me think with my right-brain. I also learned the more I meditate on Christ and the cross, the more I desire to think less of myself.
3.What Jesus endured for me according to Psalm 22
a. Separation from the Father. God did not hear His groaning but He does hear me and answer.
b. While God is holy, Jesus became a worm, not even a man much less God, scorned and despised and mocked by men.
c. God had cared for Him from birth but was not there in His distress. He was surrounded by enemies and afraid. He needed God to be near. He called God His strength.
d. The physical suffering is very descriptive of crucifixion. He said He could count His bones. For David that may have been because of emaciation but for Jesus I think He felt each one.
Lord, I am so thankful that You have forever clothed me in Your righteousness. Never will the Father turn His face away because for me You absorbed my shame, my wretchedness and death. All of these sufferings were mine. You have carried me into God’s presence forever. Help me to let go of my righteousness and put on Yours. Give me passion please Lord.
I think this is a description of what I would face under the law without the blood of Christ.
Hebrews 12:18 For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, 19 to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. (Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, 20 for they could not bear what was commanded: And if even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned! 21 And the appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am terrified and trembling. ) 22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to God who is the judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, 24 to Jesus (mediator of a new covenant), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the [blood] of Abel.
My Comfort, My Shelter
4.Psalm 18:1-6. I think our prayers passionless when we don’t see our desperate need. It is so easy to live in this world, totally engaged and self sufficient, blind until God faithfully places us on our backs. In verses 4-6 David is very aware of his need, he was on the brink of death it seems. In 1-3 he praises God with passion because He rescued him when he called (v.3).
5.7-19 Images of God coming to the rescue. The earth quaked because of God’s anger. He actually breathed fire and set things on fire as He parted the heavens and came down on a dark cloud (under and over Him). That sounds like a thunderstorm. His radiance drove the storm onward. He projected His voice as He thundered from heaven. He also threw bolts of lightening. The ocean floors and earths foundations became visible because of His rebuke. Awesome!
Then He reached down and took hold of me. He rescued me from my powerful enemy because I was not strong enough. He brought me out into a wide place. He rescued me because HE DELIGHTED IN ME!
Forever I’ll Stand
I am finishing my time alone with the Lord this morning. It has been a very special time. My greatest need that I have brought before Him is that my focus would be outward rather than on myself, that I would look first up and around me and be less self conscious. I have learned a great deal about lament and find it so freeing. I have learned that wilderness experience is absolutely essential for to developing the nature of Christ. One question from a devotional that really stood out is: what happens when God calls a group of people or a congregation into the wilderness?
The #1 question for me is am I ready to move from a relationship with God based on His provision to one based on His presence. In this I really need help.
I am in Williamsburg VA until Thursday. A friend is coming to visit for the remainder of my time here and we will visit the historic town. I think the place that God brings us to for refreshing with Him is important. Since this place goes so far back in the settlement of this country we will spend some time in prayer for America, for her protection and the strengthening of the church here. Two Psalms come to mind for this 122 and 83. I love how 83 asks for God’s judgment on Israel’s enemies with their turning to Him as the result. May His name be lifted up that all men may be drawn to Him.