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 39:7-11 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.
9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.
10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath.
Read the Entire Psalm
What Do I Look for? What a great self reflective question. What do I look for? Then the writer says “My hope is in you.” Your hope comes from God. He is your everything. He is more than enough. Praise Him that you have found what you are looking for. Pray that your would remember that your hope comes from Him.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Psalm 62 – Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director: according to Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 I am at rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you threaten a man?
Will all of you attack
as if he were a leaning wall
or a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to bring him down
from his high position.
They take pleasure in lying;
they bless with their mouths,
but they curse inwardly.Selah
5 Rest in God alone, my soul,
for my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock.
My refuge is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts before him.
God is our refuge.Selah
9 Common people are only a vapor;
important people, an illusion.
Together on a scale,
they weigh less than a vapor.
10 Place no trust in oppression
or false hope in robbery.
If wealth increases,
don’t set your heart on it.
11 God has spoken once;
I have heard this twice:
strength belongs to God,
12 and faithful love belongs to you, Lord.
For you repay each according to his works.
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 the So. Baptist Convention taking place next week in New Orleans. Ask God to guide the people giving direction to the meeting and pray that He would strengthen the churches we are cooperating with across the country.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
Have you ever viewed prayer as a last resort? I know I have done this before and I’ve even said, “All we can do is pray.” I’ve said this as if prayer is a fall back position. Prayer maybe a position of weakness for me but it is a position of strength, when I acknowledge that I am dependent on God. I also work to edit my prayers, trying to find just the right word to speak to God. Or I will speak to God and ask for something and also offer Him suggestions for how He could accomplish what I ask for as if He needed my wisdom or help. Pouring out your heart to Him can feel uncomfortable, but in the Psalms you see many examples of unedited prayers prayed from a place of desperation. The prayers in the Psalms are always built on hope. The hope that comes from the God who sees, who is able, and who is wise. Remember as you pray that faithful love belongs to God. Even in your prayers of anguish you can hang your prayers on the constant faithful love of God. He is present. He is near.
Application: Pour out your heart to Him. Use a Psalm to guide your prayer, but just say to God how you feel. Ask Him for what you want, with no qualifiers or suggestions. If you are angry, tell him. If you are sad, tell Him. If you are joyful, tell Him and thank Him. Pour out your heart to Him.