THIS BUCK AMAZED ME, LEAPING FROM THE BEACH, INCHES FROM MY WINDOW
THE SONG OF SONGS COMPARES OUR GOD TO A GAZELLE OR YOUNG STAG,
LEAPING OVER THE MOUNTAINS, BOUNDING OVER THE HILLS.
JESUS CULTURE SINGS THIS — LET IT WASH OVER YOU.
PSALM 9 SINGS OF THESE GLORIOUS TIMES WHEN GOD COMES,
WHEN GOD FIGHTS FOR US,
WHEN HE IS A STRONGHOLD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.
LAST WEEK I WAS IN THE TEXAS PRISONS AND DESPITE ALL THE PREPARATION,
I ALMOST DIDN’T GET IN, FOR I HAD A NEW WISCONSIN DRIVER’S LICENSE THAT
DID NOT MATCH THEIR RECORDS.
WE STOOD OUTSIDE THE PRISON GATE PRAYING,
WHILE THE OFFICER TRIED TO FIND A WAY, MAKING PHONE CALLS…
WANTING TO LET US IN, BUT NOT WANTING TO LOSE HIS JOB.
OUR NERVOUSNESS INCREASED AS TIME PASSED,
AND THEN!
THE GATE OPENED!
HE HAD FOUGHT FOR US AND I GAVE THANKS WITH MY WHOLE HEART.
THIS IS THE STORY OF PSALM 9.
OTHER TIMES, GOD HIDES, AGAIN, LIKE A DEER.
AS I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE MY HOME FOR THE PRISON TOUR,
HURRYING FOR I WAS GOING TO STOP FIRST IN A MILWAUKEE PRISON THAT AFTERNOON,
I BACKED UP MY CAR TO LOAD IT, AND BACKED RIGHT INTO A SNOWBANK
LORD, PLEASE PLEASE DON’T LET ME BE STUCK, NOT NOW, PLEASE
BUT I WAS STUCK
LORD, HELP ME GET OUT
BUT I COULDN’T GET OUT
LORD, YOU PROMISED TO BE A HUSBAND TO THE WIDOW,
HELP ME FIND A MAN TO HELP ME
BUT I ONLY GOT ANSWERING MACHINES
AND I HAD A MELT-DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF MY SNOWY DRIVEWAY
WHERE ARE YOU, LORD?
WHY ARE YOU HIDING FROM ME?
PSALM 10 IS THE PSALM FOR THE TIMES WHEN IT FEELS LIKE GOD IS HIDING
I did get out of the snowbank, digging and praying, and then, Oh Thank You, Jesus! I was out.
As for feeling abandoned, when I was out I saw I’d gotten a text from my friend Twila (who is about as big as a minute) I’m on my way and I’m pretty good with a shovel. Tears. Emmanuel.
I know this trouble is so small compared to the pain I saw in prison — and yet God cares for my small troubles as He cares for the enormous pain of what my dad used to call “real trouble.” He careth, Peter said, for you.
There are so many stories from my time in prison — women who seemed as hard as flint softening…women as tender and as mature as any women I’ve met outside the prison walls…His Spirit is moving, and I always am so strengthened, knowing that though He hides — He is ALWAYS THERE. Discipleship Unlimited has printed so many Idol Lies Guides (many of you have helped with that financially) — and women are getting set free. Free from addictions, free from being abusers or being abused, free from the cycle of sin. I walk out shaking my head in wonder, thinking: You are real. You are setting the captive free.
And so many of the volunteers are ex-offenders whose lives have been transformed by Christ. They are full of grace — for working in prison is challenging. A service that was to begin at 6 P. M was postponed until 9 because of a fight that broke out in the cafeteria — we waited — and finally we began — a short service, yet God moved mightily.
God hides and then He appears. taking our breath away.
These are not short psalms, so we will take the heart of them so that you aren’t overwhelmed. They beautifully describe the highs and lows of our walk with God, and how we should respond to each. And then, believe it or not, Lent is upon us. We will stay in the psalms for Lent, continuing this journey, but new sisters may join us. As I look ahead, there are some glorious psalms, and I have a BEAUTIFUL sermon (maybe the best I’ve ever heard) from Mike Reeves on Psalm 15. It will be a rich Lent of increasing intimacy with the One who died and rose again.
Sunday Ice-Breakers
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
2. If possible, share a recent time when God came bounding.
Monday-Wednesday Bible Study
WHEN GOD FEELS NEAR
3. Read Psalm 9:1-12.
A. Describe the high that David experienced and how he responded in verses 1-12. Find key phrases of praise.
B. Now you describe some recent highs God has given you and respond with praise, using David’s words as a springboard.
Last week Staci was driving, remembering God’s kindness to her, and then asked Him to make real to her his approval of her, and her spirit began to lift. Praise can lead us to petition. Right now, as I write this, I am remembering God’s mercy in getting me to Texas, out of the snowbank, and then through the locked gates. And so I am praying, as I am returning, and a winter storm is in Wisconsin, for continued protection and help.(He gave it — my car started after sitting a week in below zero temps — the roads icy, but I was steady, and I was so glad to be home.)
4. Read Psalm 9:13-14 and describe how David petitions, following his praise.
5. Petition the Lord for a need you have, using David’s words in verses 13-14 as a springboard.
6. Read Psalm 9:15-20
A. What truths has David seen about the Lord in verses 15-18?
B. What petition does he therefore make in verses 19-20?
WHEN GOD HIDES
Being in the prisons is wonderful and heart-breaking. I see things I cannot talk about because I want to keep going to the prisons, but oh! And I also know that there are many persecuted Christians overseas locked up, tortured, and martyred. And I cry, “Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.” (Psalm 10) I can pray this psalm with passion, and I know Jesus, their Advocate, is praying it too. Bonhoeffer, who will help us in the psalms during Lent, says to always imagine the voice of Jesus in these psalms.
7. Often the first line of the psalm tells you the whole theme — what question is asked in Psalm 10:1?
8. Read Psalm 10:2-11 and find some realities that grieve the psalmist, that grieve the heart of Christ.
9. Read Psalm 10:12-18 and then pray it for those who are victims of injustice, for the persecuted church — ask God to help you to care as He does, for your heart to be broken with the things that break His heart.
IF YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE MY GUIDE, A WOMAN OF WORSHIP, PSALM 10 IS ON THE MUSICAL CD, AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL. SO LISTEN TO IT! WE ALSO HAVE THE LINKS TO THE PSALM PROJECT:
Psalm 9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Psalm 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
THURSDAY-FRIDAY SERMON
10. Listen to the following message on Psalm 10 from Stuart Olyott from Liverpool and share your notes:
SATURDAY
11. WHAT’S YOUR TAKE-A-WAY AND WHY?
295 comments
I keep thinking of Karate Kid. You know the scenes where he does wax on, wax off? He does this repetitive motion for a very long time with no explanation and his instructor doesn’t even stick around (goes ‘hiding’). But then when the Karate Kid needs that motion it is so ingrained in him that he doesn’t even have to think, it is effective immediately because he had practiced so much. I still sometimes struggle with expecting God to just give me an easy life, pretty please. But that has the potential of making me ineffective and lazy. I must work if I desire to be strong. Not sure how to articulate my thoughts on this better but it’s making sense to me. =/
What you’re saying makes sense to me too, Jill.
Jill, Great parallel with Karate Kid-so good…the more we grow closer to Him the more we become like Him.
http://youtu.be/zo2XD0JKDSg Same song…different pictures!
7. Often the first line of the psalm tells you the whole theme — what question is asked in Psalm 10:1?
~David is asking why God stands far off, why He hides Himself from us in times of trouble.
8. Read Psalm 10:2-11 and find some realities that grieve the psalmist, that grieve the heart of Christ.
~Some realities are the way the wicked hunt down the weak, he lies and threats, there is no truth in his accusations towards the innocent and weak. He ensnares the weak in his traps. He tells the weak that God has forgotten them.
~Some realities that grieve the heart of Christ are the way the wicked bless the greedy and revile the Lord. In the wickeds pride, he does not seek God. The enemy thinks his ways are the best and Gods laws are far from him. He tells his victims that God is not with them and has forsaken them.
9. Read Psalm 10:12-18 and then pray it for those who are victims of injustice, for the persecuted church — ask God to help you to care as He does, for your heart to be broken with the things that break His heart.
Dear heavenly Father, I pray today for so many Christians being persecuted around the world for their belief in You. YOu see their hearts and the anguish the enemy brings upon them. You see the wars going on over religion in the world, especially towards those that love you and stand for You. Knowing it will cost them everything, even their own life at times. I pray that you give them peace, comfort and strength through all that lies ahead of them. I pray for the homeless, fatherless, motherless to know that you love them unconditionally. They are not alone, I pray against the spirit of rejection, abandonment, loneliness, depression and even those that think ending their life is the answer. I pray you give them a purpose in their hearts, show them, even an ounce of hope that they are loved and YOU have a purpose for their beautiful lives. For the bible says You knew each and everyone of us before we were formed in our mothers womb. Jeremiah 1:5. I pray you strike the enemies hand that would come against your children lord, turn back the enemies wrath on the enemy himself. All lies and accusations would be found out and Your truth would prevail in all situations, in Jesus precious name, Amen.
Beautiful songs, thanks for these, just beautiful!!! I must save these and use them when Im praying and rejoicing in God.
11. WHAT’S YOUR TAKE-A-WAY AND WHY?
Im still listening to the sermon on Psalm 10, it’s very good. My take away is God sees all and even when He hides himself from us, He is there. We may not understand, but God has a plan bigger than we can see or comprehend. His logic is far above our own logic. He looks at all the injustice going on but He truly is the only one that can see the hearts of people for what they truly are. So it gives me hope in times of trouble when I do not understand or the trials, that God may seem far off or hidden, but He is not and I must trust he will carry me through to completion of His will for my life, and yes, my kids. My biggest worry as a mom.
7. Often the first line of the psalm tells you the whole theme – what question is asked in Psalm 10:1?
WHY…does God seem far away and seems to be hiding in times of trouble?
8. Read Psalm 10:2-11 and find some realities that grieve the psalmist, that grieve the heart of Christ.
The weak and helpless being exploited, crushed, ruined – even murdered, by the wicked, who are proud, haughty, greedy, ruthless, and they think that God does not see what they are doing.
9. Read Psalm 10:12-18 and then pray it for those who are victims of injustice, for the persecuted church – ask God to help you to care as He does, for your heart to be broken with the things that break His heart.
On several Christian radio programs, the topic of human trafficking as been talked about more and more. Not long ago, they were talking about the Super Bowl and how it is a time when a lot of sex trafficking happens as these young girls are brought in for men who will be there attending the event. All over the world, women and young girls are the most weak and vulnerable and exploited like this. On the radio program, they talked about how many communities in our country are training their police and citizens on how to be on the lookout for girls who may be in this situation-like seeing a young girl with a man and she is afraid to talk or look at anyone. They said if you observe something that just doesn’t seem right, you should call the police-better to be wrong than to miss doing something.
Lord, I pray that You would arise and lift up Your hand against the men who are doing this. They think no one will find out what they are doing. Call them to account, Lord – expose their evil deeds. Rescue these women and girls who are being exploited in such a wicked way. Many cry out to You, many do not know You, do not know that there is a God who cares for them. All they know is pain and abuse. Please be their defender and rescue them and draw them to Yourself and heal them from their torment. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
My take away…God “hiding” does not mean God distant or absent; God hides so that “who is who” becomes clearly apparent…this is what has really stuck in my mind from this week’s study. I’m reading Gary Haugen’s “The Locust Effect.” I am not unaware of the abuse of human trafficking, slavery, etc.; Greg and I have supported human trafficking initiative. What has been surprising are the numbers…they ARE staggering. I question how fellow humans could treat another so inhumanely, as property and a source of revenue…it sickens me; I question the Lord’s intervention…but pretty much immediately come back to my mind and understanding not being the mind of the Lord and lacking substantially to understand this situation. What has been a major point of my pondering, is the believer’s responsibility…what is the believer, with the Spirit of the Lord residing in his/her heart, doing about these injustices?…what are they doing with the opportunities and resources the Lord provides to help? Sobering questions…
I remind myself of God’s faithfulness…during the night when I can’t sleep and play a Fernando Ortega CD… Great is thy Faithfulness…
to another tune…helps stick in my mind….we should have moved 2 months ago, but having trouble getting packed up and ready. I’m doing all I can do, and my husband is disabled and can’t help, lift or pack, and doesn’t want me to sort “his” stuff. When the time is right it will happen…but don’t know how. God “seems” silent, but must remind myself that he is NOT absent or distant.
“The Lord does not abandon anyone who comes to Him.”
I am thankful for the hope He has given me in the difficult circumstances of my life. I feel His presence even when i am discouraged in these times and I am waiting on Him.