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Faith Journey | The Psalms
Finding God In The Psalms (7)A look at 40 of my favorite Psalms. Throughout this blog we will take a new look at who God is through the eyes of the Psalmist - as he talks with God in the midst of every life situation. Even though these words were written 3000 years ago, they remain current and relevant for life today. [find the "40 Favorite Psalms" Bible Reading Plan in the download section] Psalm 22 This is a powerful Messianic Psalm. As a Christian reads this passage, he cannot but help think of Christ's suffering leading up to and upon the Cross. In fact, Jesus quotes Psalm 1:1 while on the cross - one of the 7 sayings of Christ on the cross. Key Verse: Psalm 22:27 Key Truths: This Psalm prophesy's the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the torment he experienced leading up to and during his death on the cross. What is unique about this prophecy is that it looks into the very heart of Jesus, his thoughts of agony and His desire to do God's will. Application Prayer: I cannot begin to imagine the torment that you experienced in the days leading up to the cross. The agony that you experienced as you felt forsaken from the father. Thank you for not giving up, or not ever once thinking that I was not worth the effort. I can only profess you as my Saviour and commit my life to you. You and you alone are my God. Psalm 19:1-14 C.S. Lewis described this Psalm as "the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world." I find this Psalm a solid and one of the best doctrinal explanations of God's revelation to man found in the Old Testament. The Question: How can man find God? The answer is found as: Key Verses: Psalm 19:1; Psalm 19:7; Psalm 19:14 Great thought: Finding God in Psalm 19: In this Psalm it is very clear. God is found in his creation and in the Scriptures. God is our Creator and Author of man's Life-Map. Key Truth: Man is without excuse concerning his acknowledgment of God's existence. All we have to do is look at creation. Man is in need of a Redeemer and a clear moral plan and focus of our devotion. God has provided all of what man needs.
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It struck me at the outset of reading this Psalm. God Himself is my destination. Psalm 16:2 "...apart from you I have no good thing." Too often our life destination is happiness, contentment, financial independence etc. Spiritually, we we say that my destination is heaven and all the riches that heave brings. But, if my life destination has not been God himself, I real don't have anything. In fact, if God Himself is not my life destination, what is it that replaced Him? That is the WOW thing as I begin reading this Psalm. This is a Messianic Psalm: Key Verse: Psalm 16:11 Finding God in this Psalm: Key Truth: My Application Prayer: New Testament Companion Verses:
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"This psalm (Psalm of David) describes the character qualities that one must possess to be allowed access to the divine presence." (NETBible, notes) The Psalm's Question: Basically, who is the person that can dwell with God? Finding God: In this Psalm we get a glimpse of what God's Holiness looks like. What's of particular note is that man's Social Holiness is of paramount importance if dwelling with God is what you desire. In a previous Psalm we have a picture of the opposite - where our Holy God cannot take pleasure in evil (Psalm 5:4) and will not accept that person to his dwelling. Key Verse: Psalm 15:1 "LORD, who may be a guest in your home?" NETBible Key Truth: If people live in awe of the Lord they will live their lives according to his will. Also, God has no desire to invite people that do not live a godly life. My Application: The question is: what is God looking to from me? The answer is that he wants me to live a godly life, to be socially holy. I need to look introspectively with those I know and check my thoughts and words to make sure they speak the truth and that they bring no harm to any person. The Psalm's Answer: This is the person that is acceptable and welcome to dwell with God. The list below describes 11 items of social holiness that God is looking for:
The Psalm's Assertion: This person's life will not be upended (Psalm 15:5)
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Psalm 8 Key Verse: Psalm 8:3 "When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place..." This is an amazing Psalm. In verse 3 it says that God created the universe with his fingers. It's as though the universe is a science project of his; the whole thing is before him and he works on it with his fingers. I can imagine God creating the Milky Way (our galaxy). That's only one little corner of His project. He then gets his needle-point utensils out and sets our planets in place, every star (and names every one of them) and then earth. He sets them to motion with perfect synchronism. And then he made man. Think of our size in light of creation (the science project on his dining room table) and he values the praise of nursing babies and desires more than anything a personal life relationship with man. And then desires more than anything to have a personal living relationship with him. Key Truths: To me this speaks of the power and majesty of God while at the same time his tenderness, love and care. This psalm speaks of theology of man in that God's love is extended to man and desires more than anything a personal relationship with man. God has given man a purpose - to care for his creation. God in Psalm 8: God is creator and originator of all things, including man and man's purpose. Application: The focus of my devotion is God himself. My world and all that is associated with it must be directly connected with God desires of me. As far as caring for creation, believers need to be the champions of recycling and care for this world. We need to be an eco-believer. My Prayer: Dear Lord, I am amazed at the details of your creation. You are all powerful, indescribable and yet you know me, personally. To think that you delight in the time I stop and just spend time with you. Lord, I understand now my responsibility concerning your creation. You want me to be an eco-believer. I accept. Bless me today Lord as I follow you. New Testament: Hebrews 2:6-8
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Saturday, 26 December 2009 20:06
Psalm 27 - Truths About God Worth PonderingWritten by Gerry PetersPsalm 27 is my encouragement. It is from this Psalm that P27 is taken.
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Two Scenes: Second, we see a strong tree - clearly having weathered the times yet the branches are filled with leaves and fruit. Most people look at the "black and white" life pattern with disdain. We favor life in the blended zone and want the gray zone as a particularly acceptable pattern for life. Others like the dichotomized perspective of life - one for weekends and the other for business. Psalm 1 sets the tone for all the Psalms that follow. Key Verse: Key Truth: Finding God in Psalm 1: My Application: Notes:
New Testament References:
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