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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Psalm 25:1-22
A Psalm of David.


To Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
[2] O my God, in Thee I trust,
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
[3] Indeed, none of those who wait for Thee will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.

[4] Make me know Thy ways, O Lord;
Teach me Thy paths.
[5] Lead me in Thy truth and teach me,
For Thou art the God of my salvation;
For Thee I wait all the day.
[6] Remember, O Lord, Thy compassion and Thy lovingkindnesses,
For they have been from of old.
[7] Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Thy lovingkindness remember Thou me,
For Thy goodness' sake, O Lord.

[8] Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
[9] He leads the humble in justice,
And He teaches the humble His way.
[10] All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth
To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
[11] For Thy name's sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

[12] Who is the man who fears the Lord?
He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
[13] His soul will abide in prosperity,
And his descendants will inherit the land.
[14] The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
And He will make them know His covenant.
[15] My eyes are continually toward the Lord,
For He will pluck my feet out of the net.

[16] Turn to me and be gracious to me,
For I am lonely and afflicted.
[17] The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses.
[18] Look upon my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins.
[19] Look upon my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with violent hatred.
[20] Guard my soul and deliver me;
Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in Thee.
[21] Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for Thee.
[22] Redeem Israel, O God,
Out of all his troubles.


Psalm 25:1-22

Open It

1. When have you felt that you were treated unfairly?
2. How would you complete the sentence: “It’s not fair that . . .”?
* 3. What troubles go with your station in life (parenting, singleness, student, overworking, empty-nester, etc.)?

Explore It

4. What prayer request opens this psalm? (25:1-3)
5. What is the central focus of this psalm? (25:1-22)
6. Whom did David want God to “put to shame”? (25:3)
7. How did David feel about the hostility of his enemies? (25:3)
8. What did David ask the Lord to reveal to him and why? (25:4-5)
* 9. What requests did David present to the Lord? (25:4-7, 16-22)
10. What did David want God to remember, and what did he want God to forget? (25:6-7)
11. How did David want to be remembered by the Lord? (25:7)
12. What does God do for sinners? (25:8)
13. How does this psalm describe the Lord and the kind of relationship He wants to have with us? (25:8-10)
14. Where did David place his confidence and why? (25:8-15)
15. What attitude did David have about himself and God? (25:11)
* 16. Why was David praying? (25:16-19)
* 17. What did David desire? (25:21-22)
18. What prayer concludes this psalm? (25:22)
19. What did David ask God to do? (25:22)

Get It

20. How can good come from being unfairly treated?
21. How do you think Christians should respond to unfair treatment?
22. How can we follow David’s example of trusting God?
* 23. What trouble and “enemies” do you face?
* 24. In light of this psalm, how should we deal with the pressures and problems in our lives?
25. In light of this psalm, how can you deal with the pressures and problems in your life?
26. What does this passage tell you about the relationship God wants to have with you?
27. How do you think you could strengthen your relationship with the Lord?
28. What motivates you to put your confidence in God?
29. How has God proven His reliability to you?
30. How does this passage change your perception of yourself? of God?

Apply It

31. What requests would you like to present before the Lord today?
32. In what specific ways can you put your hope and trust in the Lord?
* 33. In what way might you be able to demonstrate your trust in God in a troublesome circumstance this week?

AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM ...

Lifting up my soul unto the LORD
Not ashamed before my enemies
Shown by God his ways, taught by him his paths
Led by God in his truth, waiting on him
Having all my sins forgiven and forgotten
Blessed with seed inheriting the earth
Fearing the LORD, and being taught his covenant
Delivered of all my distresses With my eyes ever toward God, my feet plucked from

Monday, December 20, 2010

Psalm 24:1-10
A Psalm of David.

The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains,
The world, and those who dwell in it.
[2] For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the rivers.
[3] Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
And who may stand in His holy place?
[4] He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood,
And has not sworn deceitfully.
[5] He shall receive a blessing from the Lord
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
[6] This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Thy face-- even Jacob.
Selah.

[7] Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
[8] Who is the King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
[9] Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
[10] Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Selah.

Psalm 24:1-10

Open It

1. Where do people turn for ultimate answers and solutions today?
* 2. What are some of the good things in our world that can distract us from serving God?

Explore It

3. What does the beginning of this psalm reveal about God’s character? (24:1-2)
* 4. Why is God worthy of worship and praise? (24:1-2)
5. What is the purpose of this psalm? (24:1-10)
6. What does this psalm celebrate? (24:1-10)
7. Who may enter God’s presence? (24:3-4)
* 8. What should a person do who wants to enter God’s presence? (24:3-6)
9. What specific character traits do we need in order to enjoy God’s presence? (24:4-6)
10. What do the righteous receive from the Lord? (24:5)
11. How does this psalm use gates and doors to tell us about the Lord? (24:7, 9)
* 12. How does the psalm writer welcome the victorious King into His sanctuary? (24:7-10)
13. How is the “King of glory” described? (24:8, 10)

Get It

14. What difference does it make that the earth and everything in it belongs to God?
15. In light of this psalm, what view should we have of ourselves? of the world? of God?
16. What does it mean to have clean hands and a pure heart?
17. What does this passage tell us about God’s character?
18. In your mind, why is God worthy of worship and praise?
19. What is an idol?
20. What’s wrong with worshiping things, people, or ourselves instead of God?
21. What offerings of praise can you give to the Lord?
22. How does this psalm affect your attitude toward church?
23. How do we need to prepare for entering God’s house each week?
* 24. Why is it good to go to church?
* 25. What changes do you need to make in your schedule or activities to make worship a top priority?
26. How can we guard against the temptation to serve things, other people, or ourselves instead of the Lord?

Apply It

* 27. What is one thing you can do this week to prepare yourself for the next time you go to church?
28. What do you have that you want to “give back” to God?


AFFIRMATIONS
TODAY I AM ...

Standing in the LORD’s holy place with clean hands and a pure heart.
Receiving the blessing from the LORD, and His righteousness.
Blessed with a strong and mighty LORD, the King of glory.

Psalm 23:1-6
A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
[2] He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
[3] He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.

[4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil; for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
[5] Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
[6] Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.


Psalm 23:1-6

Open It

1. What sometimes threatens your peace of mind or sense of security?
2. What do people usually take for granted?
* 3. When do you most want peace and quiet?

Explore It

4. How did David describe the Lord? (23:1)
5. What is God like? (23:1)
6. What mental picture did David use to describe his role in relationship with the Lord? (23:1-3)
* 7. What comforted David? (23:1)
8. How does the Lord provide for His people? (23:1-3)
9. How did God help David? (23:1-3)
10. What motivates God to guide His people? (23:3)
11. What gave David the confidence to face death? (23:4)
12. How was David comforted in difficult times? (23:4)
13. What were David’s fears? (23:4-5)
* 14. How far does the guidance and protection of the Lord extend for His people? (23:4-5)
15. How does God provide for His children, even in the face of death? (23:4-5)
16. How does God honor those He loves? (23:5-6)
* 17. What did the Lord give to David? (23:5-6)
18. How did David feel about his future? (23:6)

Get It

19. How has the Lord guided you through difficult times?
20. What do you think David meant when he said that his cup overflowed?
21. David spoke of a shepherd and sheep—how would you picture your relationship with the Lord?
22. In what ways does God “restore our souls”?
23. What are some of your fears?
* 24. How can you follow David’s example in dealing with your fears?
25. How has God provided for your needs in the past?
26. How have you experienced God’s comfort?
27. In what way has God made your “cup overflow”?
28. What good things in life do you find it easy to take for granted?
29. How can we thank the Lord for the many blessings He has given us?
* 30. How does this passage encourage you to face the future?
31. How has this psalm changed your perspective of the challenges you are facing?

Apply It

* 32. What can you do to celebrate God’s goodness and provision?
33. How could you comfort or encourage a friend who is struggling with fear or grief?
34. What good things, experiences, and people do you want to thank God for now?

TODAY I AM ...

Blessed with a Shepherd who takes care of my needs
Being made to lie down in green pastures
Being led beside still waters
Being restored in my soul
Being led in the paths of righteousness
Not afraid
Comforted by God’s presence, rod and staff
With God who prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies
Having God anoint my head with an abundance of oil
Blessed with goodness and mercy: they shall follow me all the days of my life
Assured that I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever

Monday, December 06, 2010

Psalm 22:1-31
For the choir director; upon Aijeleth Hashshahar.
A Psalm of David.

My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?
Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.
[2] O my God, I cry by day, but Thou dost not answer;
And by night, but I have no rest.
[3] Yet Thou art holy,
O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
[4] In Thee our fathers trusted;
They trusted, and Thou didst deliver them.
[5] To Thee they cried out, and were delivered;
In Thee they trusted, and were not disappointed.

[6] But I am a worm, and not a man,
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
[7] All who see me sneer at me;
They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying,
[8] "Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him;
Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him."

[9] Yet Thou art He who didst bring me forth from the womb;
Thou didst make me trust when upon my mother's breasts.
[10] Upon Thee I was cast from birth;
Thou hast been my God from my mother's womb.

[11] Be not far from me, for trouble is near;
For there is none to help.
[12] Many bulls have surrounded me;
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.
[13] They open wide their mouth at me,
As a ravening and a roaring lion.
[14] I am poured out like water,
And all my bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It is melted within me.
[15] My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And my tongue cleaves to my jaws;
And Thou dost lay me in the dust of death.
[16] For dogs have surrounded me;
A band of evildoers has encompassed me;
They pierced my hands and my feet.
[17] I can count all my bones.
They look, they stare at me;
[18] They divide my garments among them,
And for my clothing they cast lots.

[19] But Thou, O Lord, be not far off;
O Thou my help, hasten to my assistance.
[20] Deliver my soul from the sword,
My only life from the power of the dog.
[21] Save me from the lion's mouth;
And from the horns of the wild oxen Thou dost answer me.

[22] I will tell of Thy name to my brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise Thee.
[23] You who fear the Lord, praise Him;
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel.
[24] For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Neither has He hidden His face from him;
But when he cried to Him for help, He heard.

[25] From Thee comes my praise in the great assembly;
I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him.
[26] The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
Those who seek Him will praise the Lord.
Let your heart live forever!
[27] All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,
And all the families of the nations will worship before Thee.
[28] For the kingdom is the Lord's,
And He rules over the nations.
[29] All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship,
All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him,
Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.
[30] Posterity will serve Him;
It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.
[31] They will come and will declare His righteousness
To a people who will be born, that He has performed it.

Psalm 22 - Psalm 22:1-31

Open It
* 1. When was a time that you felt God was unreachable or silent?
2. Why does it hurt when a friend rejects you or turns a cold shoulder?
3. What can make a person feel distant from God?

Explore It

* 4. How did the psalm writer feel about his relationship with God? (22:1-3)
5. What was the focus of David’s prayer? (22:1-31)
6. What did the psalm writer say about what God had been to Israel in the past? (22:3-5)
7. Why did people mock David and how did their insults make him feel? (22:6-7)
8. What did David say about what God had been for him? (22:9-10)
9. How did David describe his enemies? (22:12-13, 16)
10. What four figures did the psalm writer use to describe the attacks of his enemies? (22:12-13, 16-18)
11. How did the psalm writer feel under the attacks of his adversaries? (22:14-15)
12. How did the psalm writer recall the four figures he used to describe his enemies later in the psalm? (22:20-21)
* 13. What changed David’s attitude? (22:22-24)
* 14. What vows did David make to the Lord? (22:22-31)
15. What will motivate other people to turn from their idols and praise the true God? (22:25-31)
16. Who will join the psalm writer in praise to the Lord? (22:26-31)

Get It

17. Why do you think portions of this psalm are quoted or alluded to so often in the New Testament in reference to Christ’s crucifixion?
18. What should we do whenever we feel we have been forsaken by God?
* 19. What should we do when God seems far away?
20. Why do you think people often feel distant from God?
* 21. How can we follow the psalm writer’s example when we want to draw closer to God?
22. What are the benefits of remembering what God has done for us in the past?
23. How has this psalm motivated you to praise the Lord?
24. For what reasons are you inspired to praise God?
25. How can we be involved in telling future generations about the Lord?
26. How can you share with others what God has revealed about Himself to you?

Apply It

27. What is one step you can take to draw closer to God this next week?
* 28. Whom can you encourage who feels distant from God?
29. With whom could you share what God has done for you?




TODAY I AM:

Trusting in the Lord and being delivered.

Crying out and I am being delivered.

Trusting in the Lord and not being disappointed.

Being rescued because I delight in the Lord.
Psalm 21:1-13
For the choir director.
A Psalm of David.

O Lord, in Thy strength the king will be glad,
And in Thy salvation how greatly he will rejoice!
[2] Thou hast given him his heart's desire,
And Thou hast not withheld the request of his lips.
Selah.
[3] For Thou dost meet him with the blessings of good things;
Thou dost set a crown of fine gold on his head.
[4] He asked life of Thee,
Thou didst give it to him,
Length of days forever and ever.
[5] His glory is great through Thy salvation,
Splendor and majesty Thou dost place upon him.
[6] For Thou dost make him most blessed forever;
Thou dost make him joyful with gladness in Thy presence.

[7] For the king trusts in the Lord,
And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken.
[8] Your hand will find out all your enemies;
Your right hand will find out those who hate you.
[9] You will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger;
The Lord will swallow them up in His wrath,
And fire will devour them.
[10] Their offspring Thou wilt destroy from the earth,
And their descendants from among the sons of men.
[11] Though they intended evil against Thee,
And devised a plot,
They will not succeed.
[12] For Thou wilt make them turn their back;
Thou wilt aim with Thy bowstrings at their faces.
[13] Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in Thy strength;
We will sing and praise Thy power.

Psalm 21 - Psalm 21:1-13

Open It

1. How do people usually respond when their team wins?
2. What emotions do people feel when they experience defeat?
* 3. Why is it so hard to lose?

Explore It

* 4. How did the king respond to the victory that God granted him? (21:1-6)
5. From whose perspective was this psalm written? (21:1-13)
6. How is the theme of this psalm introduced, developed, and summarized? (21:2, 3-5, 6)
7. What specific blessings did the Lord give the king? (21:2-6)
* 8. What was the king’s main request and how did God answer it? (21:4-5)
9. What extra blessing did God give to the king? (21:5-6)
10. How does this psalm explain the king’s security? (21:7)
11. What characteristic of the Lord protects the king? (21:7)
* 12. What kind of future did the king have to look forward to? (21:8-12)
13. How will the king be rescued? (21:9)
14. What will happen to the king’s enemies? (21:10)
15. How is the last verse of the poem a fitting conclusion? (21:13)

Get It

16. What benefits did the king see as a result of his trust in the Lord?
* 17. How should Christians respond uniquely to defeat and victory?
18. How do you think the king felt about himself and his relationship with God?
19. In what specific ways has the Lord been good to you?
20. How have you reacted to the victories God has granted you in the past?
21. How have you reacted to your past successes and failures?
* 22. In what ways would you like your response to God’s work in your life to be different in the future?
23. What has God been teaching you through your prayers lately?
24. What is one of your recent, significant prayer requests and how has God answered it?
25. Why do you think God sometimes delays in answering our prayers, and other times we see God’s answers immediately?
26. What is one request that you would like to commit to praying about for the next month?

Apply It

27. Who can help you remember to pray consistently about your needs and concerns?
* 28. What steps can you take to remember to credit God with the next success that you experience?
29. How can you praise the Lord for the answers to prayer He has already given you?


AFFIRMATIONS


TODAY I AM :


Rejoicing in His salvation.

Having my heart’s desire given to me.


Having the requests on my lips.


Being met with the blessings of good things.


Having a crown of gold set on my head.


Having life given to me and length of days forever.


Having splendor and majesty place on me.


Being made joyful with gladness in His presence.


Not being shaken through the lovingkindness of the Most High.


Finding out all of my enemies and finding out those who hate me.


Trusting in the Lord.


Having all my enemies taken care of.


Having the plots of evil people thwarted.
Psalm 20:1-9
For the choir director.
A Psalm of David


May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!
[2] May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And support you from Zion!
[3] May He remember all your meal offerings,
And find your burnt offering acceptable!
Selah.

[4] May He grant you your heart's desire,
And fulfill all your counsel!
[5] We will sing for joy over your victory,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners.
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

[6] Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven,
With the saving strength of His right hand.
[7] Some boast in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.
[8] They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stood upright.
[9] Save, O Lord;
May the King answer us in the day we call.

Psalm 20 - Psalm 20:1-9

Open It

* 1. How do you feel before an important test or interview?
2. How do you usually prepare for challenges?
3. How do people often celebrate success?

Explore It

4. What action did the psalm writer ask the Lord to take? (20:1-4)
* 5. What challenges did the king face? (20:1-9)
6. From where did the psalm writer expect help and support? (20:2)
7. How did the king prepare for the challenges he faced? (20:3)
8. What general blessing did this prayer offer the king before he went to battle? (20:4)
* 9. How did the people promise they would respond to the king’s success? (20:5)
10. Whom did the people credit for the king’s military success? (20:5)
11. On what elements of God’s character does this psalm focus? (20:6)
* 12. How was the people’s confession of trust in the Lord unique? (20:7)
13. In whom did the people put their trust and why? (20:7-8)
14. What will happen to those who trust in God, as compared to those who trust in their own abilities? (20:7-8)
15. What final request concludes this psalm? (20:9)

Get It

16. In what do people often put their trust these days?
17. How is your faith in God viewed by your non-Christian friends?
18. In what ways do you think your faith in God could be strengthened?
19. How should Christians respond to success?
20. What promise in this psalm encourages you to continue trusting God?
* 21. What challenges are you facing?
22. What specific advice from this psalm can you apply to the challenges you are now facing?
* 23. How can you prepare yourself, both physically and emotionally, for the challenges you face?
24. Where can you expect to receive the help and support you need?

Apply It

25. What is one way you can share your confidence in God with another person this week?
26. Besides the Lord, who is one person you could go to for the help and support you need?
* 27. When can you pray to prepare yourself to handle the challenges of each day?


AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM:

Expecting my answer in the day of trouble from the Lord.

Being set securely on high by the Lord.

Having help send to me from the sanctuary and support from Zion!

I am being remembered in all my meal offerings and finding my burnt offering acceptable.

Having my heart’s desire and all my counsel fulfilled.

Having the Lord fulfill all my petitions.

Being saved, having the Lord answer me from His holy heaven with the strength of His right hand.
Boasting in the name of the Lord my God.

Being raised and stood upright.

The King answers me in the day I call.