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5-minute Meditation on Psalm 119:153-168
Read, circle words, underline phrases
Then answer What and So What?

Psalm 119:153-168
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
165 Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.

“What a small God we would have if divine character was dependant on our behavior.” ~David Benner

154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life… according to your promise.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life… according to your laws.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.

“Following Jesus doesn’t mean that all suffering will go away, it means that God’s presence will be with you in the midst of it.” ~Danielle Strickland, The Other Side of Hope

Hebrews 12:1-2 - …And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Psalm 119:168 …for all my ways are known to you.

Call for Commitment
Acknowledge your need for God
Believe in Jesus
Commit to follow the Spirit

PCC Benediction
May you jump into the arms of Jesus.
And may He push you out into the world.
May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others.
Not because you must, but because you may.
This is why we were born!

Beyond Sunday
There may not be a better tribute to the Holy Scriptures than the one that is provided in Psalm 119. Every verse in Psalm 119 exalts the Word of God and the God of the Word. During this 10-week summer series, Finding The Way, we get back to the basics of allowing Scripture to help us grow in gratitude, awe, and dependence on God and His Word. In doing so, we believe it will guide us in the best way we should go in whatever comes our way. This week in Psalm 119:153-168, we focus on how to find the way through the rough places.

1. Where are you with gratitude, awe, and dependence? Which is easier or harder to lean into? Which one do you want more of?

2. Read Psalm 119:153-168 Identify the many things the psalmist is struggling with. How can you relate?

3. Note the three different times the psalmist writes, “Preserve my life” and what comes immediately after. What three attributes of God does the psalmist depend on when he makes his request?

4. Notice the bookends of our passage today. The first word of Psalm 153 is “Look.” The last word of Psalm 168 is “...for all my ways are known to you.” When you consider the challenges in your life, what do you sense in knowing that God already sees you?

5. Consider the idea posed by Danielle Strickland, that following Jesus does not mean that there won’t be suffering in your life, but it does mean that God will be present with you in your suffering. What comfort does this bring for you?

6. What one thing in your life are you asking God to see? How could you let what you already know about God, lead you to trust in Him with that one thing?

7. Write a prayer about a challenging situation in your life. Include the following:
a. What is true about God,
b. what you want from God, and
c. a willingness to wait on God.

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Resource: (see link below)
RightNow Media : Psalm 119 - Matt Chandler Video/Study Question

For PCC's budgeted giving year
(June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023)

Giving Update (as of 8/23/22)
Budgeted Giving: $3,000,000
Giving to Date: $ 503,199
Shortfall: $2,496,801