Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 77:7-13 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? Read the entire Psalm
Psalm Reflection: We can feel rejected. We can feel that the Lord has forgotten us. It is acceptable to feel this way and express these feelings to God. If you feel this way, express it to God. Now turn from your feelings to remembering the deeds of the Lord. Call to mind what God has done in scripture. Call to mind what God has done in your life. Now consider this question – “What god is as great as our God?” Express your love for God.
SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Peter 1:3-9 – Christian Standard Bible
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanksgiving to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for those suffering in Ukraine. Ask God to bring an end to the war there.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
Do you ever feel an “inexpressible and glorious joy?” If so, be grateful. If not, don’t worry. First of all, what that phrase means can be different to different people. Some people are easily moved by “joy” and others not so much. Perhaps, because of the way you are wired, it would be better described as a sense of well-being, or you feel meaning and purpose, or you have a sense of happiness where perhaps you didn’t think you would based on current circumstances. If you lack feelings of joy, don’t chase feelings but rather habitualize praise of God. Joy feelings tend to follow faith facts. When you are learning to place your hopes in Christ, you will be surprised when joy turns up at the most surprising moments.