God Speaks
Praising God Privately or Corporately in the Midst of Pressure and Pain or Pleasure and Prosperity
Verse of the Day: “Rise up [O God] and help us; rescue us [Your people] because of Your unfailing love.” (Psalm 44:26 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 114
We Respond
Reflection.
Consider the following questions regarding Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Psalms 43
1. God is the true source of hope for those who are afflicted or oppressed.
2. People are to praise the LORD God as their stronghold, their hope, joy and delight.
Psalms 44
1. God has defended His people in the past and will do so again.
2. In many places throughout history, God’s people (Jews and Christians) have been maligned and persecuted.
Psalms 45
1. God endows His chosen men with strength and majesty; He confers grace and beauty on His select women.
2. People need to love righteousness and hate wickedness if they want to be esteemed over their companions and be filled with joy.
Psalms 49
1. God is eternally good and grants wisdom to those who trust in Him..
2. People’s wealth cannot save them from death.
Psalms 84
1. God Almighty is a living God, not some dead idol.
2. Like the psalmist, people should desire to continually dwell in His presence.
Psalms 85
1. God forgives iniquity, covers sins, restores people and nations, sets aside His displeasure and anger, revives believing people, shows unfailing love and grants salvation (all because of and through Messiah Jesus).
2. People must look to God alone for love, faithfulness and righteousness.
Psalms 87
1. Although Zion (Jerusalem and Israel) have a special place in His heart, God loves all the people of the earth.
2. People from all over the world will eventually turn to God and sing His praises.
Prayer
> 3. How might I pray regarding Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87?
O LORD God, You are my only hope. Those around me are afflicted or oppressed, but You keep me safe. I praise You, LORD God, as my stronghold, my hope, my joy and my delight. You have defended me in the past and will do so again. In many places throughout history, God’s people (Jews and Christians) have been maligned and persecuted, but You have reclaimed and revived them whenever they have turned back to You. I do that now. Please forgive my sins [Reader, name some specific sins you willingly plan to forsake.] on the basis of Messiah Jesus. LORD God, You, endow Your chosen men with strength and majesty; You confer grace and beauty on the women You select. Your people need to love righteousness and hate wickedness if we want to be esteemed over our companions and be filled with joy. You, O God, are eternally good. You grant wisdom to those who trust in You. People’s wealth cannot save them from death. Only faith in Christ can save anyone from the ultimate death–eternal separation from You. God Almighty, You are the only living God, not some dead idol. Like the psalmist, I desire to continually dwell in Your presence. Because of Messiah Jesus, You forgive iniquity, cover sins, restore people and nations. Set aside Your displeasure and anger, O God. Revive all believing people. Show unfailing love and grant salvation to all because of their faith in Messiah Jesus. Holy Spirit, cause people to look to God alone for love, faithfulness and righteousness. Although Zion (Jerusalem and Israel) have a special place in Your heart, You, LORD God, love all the people of the earth. People from all over the world will eventually turn to You and sing Your praises, thus bringing You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will ask God to help me point someone to hope in Him this week.
- I will do whatever I can to support someone who is being putdown or bullied (especially a jewish person).
- I will continually focus my thoughts on the LORD God and His goodness.
- I will praise the LORD for drawing people from all over the world (Jews and non-Jews) to faith in Christ Jesus.
Share
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.