We’ve been going on a God Hunt this summer,
and it is time to reflect on our summer of wonders.
Psalm 78:6 urges us “not to forget the works of God.”
So, over the next two weeks, at summer’s end,
let us reflect, each day, with the help of the psalms,
“the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.” (Psalm 78:4)
Why?
For our own hearts,
for we will need to remember when God seems to be hiding His face,
and remembrance of His presence is sorely needed.
And for one another, to stir one another up.
And to record them for the next generation.
I’m praying, despite the busyness the approaching fall always brings,
that you can check in each day and record, with the help of the psalms, one “God sighting” that you remember from this summer.
Let’s go!
WEEK ONE
Sunday, August 27th, 2017
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
2. Read Psalm 78:1-8 and explain why it is important to recall and record and recite everyday God sightings to our own hearts and to others.
Monday, 8/28: The heavens declare…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMKaM1-dPN0
3. Read Psalm 19:1-4 and explain how God’s voice goes out throughout all the earth.
4.Read Romans 10:14-18 and explain how Paul uses this psalm to explain how every heart should be
prepared to hear.
5. How have you seen God’s glory in creation this summer? How did it either enthrall you or cause you
to remember that He, and not you, are in control of this life?
Tuesday, 8/29: Two Great Books
Prepare your heart with this:
Spurgeon said “God has given us two great books to reveal Himself: creation and Scripture.” They talk about one another. God often uses what we can see on earth to help us understand what we cannot see spiritually.” I have meditated on Psalm 19:4-6 in which God compares the way the sun comes and moves to a bridegroom. We looked at the Song of Songs this summer, in which we learned that Jesus is our ultimate Bridegroom who appears and hides, like a deer — but I would say, also, like the sun! Also, in this psalm, in the Song of Songs, in Psalm 45, and in Revelation — we see that our ultimate Bridegroom will one day burst out of the sky, like the sun rising. I may be reading too much into this but would love your reflections on this.
4. Read Psalm 19:4-6 and comment on the metaphor of a sun and a bridegroom. What do they have in common?
5. Read Song of Songs 2:8-9 and comment on the comparison of Jesus and a deer. What do they have in common?
6. How has the Lord hidden from you and then suddenly appeared this summer?
Wednesday 8/30: More Desired Than Gold
7. Read Psalm 19:7-11 and explain some ways God’s Word is wonderful.
8. As you think back over our Bible study this summer, share a God sighting of a time when He spoke to you through His Word.
9. Does your life reflect that you believe the Word is more precious than gold? Have you seen growth in this area? If so, that is a God sighting!
Thursday 8/31: Let Sin Not Have Dominion Over Me
10. How does the psalmist pray in Psalm 19:12-14? Make this your prayer.
11. Do you remember, from the Song of Songs, how her bridegroom awakened her to her sin of lukewarmness?
11. How has the Lord helped you this summer to overcome a heart idol?
Friday, 9/1: Forget Not All His Benefits
12. Read Psalm 78:11-37
A. What was the root sin of the Israelites? Compare this to Romans 1:18-21.
B. List at least three of the wonders the Israelites forgot according to this psalm.
C. What does this teach you about the importance of “God Hunts?”
Saturday, 9:2: The God Hunt from This Week You Will Record and Recite
13. This weekend tell one person about one of the ways you remember God working in your life this summer and record here what you did.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK…
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7. Read Psalm 19:7-11 and explain some ways God’s Word is wonderful.
God’s Word will revive my soul, I can trust it and it will give me wisdom, it will give joy to my heart and help me to see things His way. His Word is pure and more precious than anything else, it’s sweet. His Word also give warnings and rewards those who keep it.
8. As you think back over our Bible study this summer, share a God sighting of a time when He spoke to you through His Word.
I’m not very good at doing a mental review of the whole summer! We did, and continue to, review idolatry. Sometimes when I’m turning to an idol, the verse from Jonah will come to my mind which Dee put in her book, Idol Lies, “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”
9. Does your life reflect that you believe the Word is more precious than gold? Have you seen growth in this area? If so, that is a God-sighting!
If I’m honest here, I don’t always make reading His Word the number one priority in my life. I let other things squeeze that time out. I can be as bad as a teenager, wasting time looking at things on my cell phone….checking my mail, “window shopping”, FB, searching for information about various things. I need to see growth in this area.
10. How does the psalmist pray in Psalm 19:12-14? Make this your prayer.
I like this first verse, “Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.” I believe the psalmist is aware that his heart is dark, his soul is like dark, churning waters and he can’t see below the surface, that he’s got “layers of lies” like the Sara Groves’ song. I have the same problem. Then, he asks for God’s help not to commit deliberate, willful sin. So there are two kinds of sin here, and the really scary sins are the sins I commit because I’m too self-deceived to even see them. He also prays about what comes out of his mouth and what he thinks about in his heart, that both would be pleasing to God.
11. Do you remember, from The Song of Songs, how her bridegroom awakened her to her sin of lukewarmness?
She was already in bed, and he knocked at the door, asking her to open it. She had already washed and taken off her robe; it was too much trouble to get up. Her comfort idol was in control. Then, he put his hand through the latch opening and her heart began to pound….she got up but it was too late – he was gone, but he left her a gift of myrrh. Now she began to long for him and went out looking for him.
11. How had the Lord helped you this summer to overcome a heart idol?
I think He keeps reminding me that I am the happiest when I am helping others instead of focusing on my own comfort and being selfish. Feeding my comfort idol may seem satisfying at first, but in the end, it’s empty.
12. Read Psalm 78:11-37.
A. What was the root sin of the Israelites? Compare this to Romans 1:18-21.
They forgot what He had done for them, they did not thank Him. In Romans, Paul says the evidence of God’s power is everywhere, but people ignore it, suppressing the truth.
B. List at least three of the wonders the Israelites forgot according to this psalm.
They forgot how God parted the Red Sea for them, how He led them by the pillar of cloud and fire, and how He provided water for them in the desert through a miracle.
C. What does this teach you about the importance of “God Hunts”?
That it is important to view life through a different lens that doesn’t include “luck, coincidence, and chance”, but rather to give Him the credit and see His hand in all things. And then, to give Him the credit and thanks for it! Otherwise, I can become like the Israelites – complaining, bitter, with the attitude of “God, what have You done for me lately?” Ingratitude is ugly.
12. Read Psalm 78:11-37
A. What was the root sin of the Israelites? Compare this to Romans 1:18-21.
In Psalm 78-forgetting (V. 11), rebelling (v. 17), putting God to the test (v.18), doubting (vs. 18-20), unbelief (v. 22) IN SPITE of, continued with unbelief (v. 32) not loyal and unfaithful to God (v.37)
Root sin: unbelief which leads to unthankfulness which leads to futile thinking and darkened hearts
B. List at least three of the wonders the Israelites forgot according to this psalm.
Deliverance from the Egyptians
The dividing of the Red Sea v. 13
The guiding with the cloud and the fire v. 14
The giving of water v. 15-16
Manna v. 24-25
Meat v. 27-29
C. What does this teach you about the importance of “God Hunts?”
It is easy to forget and easy to take God for granted. Just as we do with others especially our loved ones. For me, I tend to see what I don’t have rather than what I have. The discipline of daily God hunts enables me to nurture a God-ward look on life in the midst of challenges and pain. And to experience joy that can only come from a heart of gratitude.
13. This weekend tell one person about one of the ways you remember God working in your life this summer and record here what you did.
I met up with a friend I haven’t seen for months and caught up with one another. When she asked me how I was doing, I told her I feel less stressed. When she asked what made the difference, I shared about how the Lord has been so near to me, that His Word has been truly a light and revealing of His character, and that the God hunt we have been doing has completely changed my attitude and perspective. Abbie is a Christian and is a very good listener. Just recounting (aloud) the ways God has been working in my life to her gave me a peaceful, warm feeling. She in turn shared progress with her health issues. It was a wonderful experience of sharpening one another.
12. Read Psalm 78:11-37
A. What was the root sin of the Israelites? Compare this to Romans 1:18-21.
It seems as if the Israelites were greedy, and had lost their faith. These are similar passages in that the people have forgotten God and have sinned and then God has retaliated with correction.
B. List at least three of the wonders the Israelites forgot according to this psalm.
They forgot the manna, water, and the cloud that never left them in the desert.
C. What does this teach you about the importance of “God Hunts?”
God hunts are important so we are reminded of His love for us and we don’t lose our faith.
I shared with 2 of my friends this week, how God is so kind to me. He surprised me last Sat when I was looking for a dress to wear to a wedding. I couldn’t find anything in the stores I went to that was in my budget or my taste. I decided to wear a black one (as a last resort) that I keep under a garment cover, & when I reached under & pulled it out, it was a pretty blue one that I’d forgotten I had! It was perfect & I got such a surprise! I said “oh thank You Lord! I forgot I even had that dress!! ” It was one of those sweet & intimate surprises, right out of the blue! One of the friends I told, isn’t a Christian but she is quite open, & I feel relaxed in being myself with her. I pray that she gets hungry to really know the Lord.
I have been journaling more this week & will go back & remember the works of the Lord. He is so Faithful!
Fun story, Jenny!