WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Exhilaration and foreboding, confusion and piercing clarity sometimes go together. Life is often very messy! As you read this psalm, which aspects of your life evoke such mixed feelings? Focus on the Lord There is a tremendous sense of the psalmist’s own personal experience and relief at deliverance (v 6) and he considers various situations where others may experience need. But interestingly his focus is upon the Lord, whose name is mentioned no less than 16 times, usually to point out exactly what good things he will do on behalf of his servants. Clearly the point is that God will act on behalf of those who love him and call on his name. Trusting in God The key word in the second half of the psalm is ‘righteous’. See how many times it occurs in the psalm in various forms (vs 15,17,19,21). It is important to bear in mind that ‘righteous’ does not necessarily mean someone who is morally perfect. Indeed David, whose name is associated with the psalm, often behaved in a way that left a great deal to be desired. The ‘righteous’ are often simply those who put their trust in God. This will undoubtedly make them try to behave according to the Lord’s standards but most important are their faith and love of him. Respond: Use this psalm as a declaration of praise, thanksgiving and faith. Identify one or more current situations where you can use these words with David’s kind of gratitude. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-09-16