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 27:5-6 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Read the Entire Psalm
Look at God’s responsibility and the writer’s responsibility. God’s responsibility – keep the writer safe in the day of trouble. God’s responsibility is not to keep the writer from all trouble, but to keep the writer ultimately safe. The writer is safe when he draws near to God, dwelling with God. The writer also says that he will sacrifice with joyful shouts and he will make music. The writer is saying that he is responsible to praise God. If you are in a time of trouble go to Him. Praise God that He ultimately keeps you safe.
Scripture Reading
1 Peter 4:12 – English Standard Version
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Give thanks to God for His gifts and His goodness.
- 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 River Youth. Today is the first full day of Super Summer. Ask God to use this week to build the student’s faith.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
One theme in Scripture that speaks to the question of why we suffer is that suffering can lead to God’s glory. God can reveal himself through healing or through the faithfulness of his people as they continue to trust him. Closely tied to this theme of God’s glory is the theme of our sanctification. God uses suffering to grow us in faith and faithfulness. In John chapter 9 Jesus was asked, “Who sinned that this man was born blind, him or his parents?” Do you see the false assumption in that question? It was believed that everything was a kind of cosmic karma. Good things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people. One form of this false idea is the health and prosperity gospel which teaches that the “good” person has a certain type or amount of faith, and God gives that person whatever they desire. The “bad” person lacks the right kind or amount of faith and so God withholds good from them. Jesus answered those who asked the loaded question in an unsuspecting way. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; this affliction is for the glory of God.” Then Jesus healed the man. You might say, “This proves the health gospel, Jesus healed him!” Keep in mind the purpose of the healing. It was for the glory of God. The long list of faithful and faith-filled believers in Hebrews 11 contains some who escaped suffering for the glory of God, and others who suffered terribly and died for the glory of God. The common denominator was the glory of God. By all means pray that God would relieve you of suffering; this is honoring to him and he may choose to do what you ask. But whether he does what you ask or not, you must remain faithful. You must choose to bring him glory. The Israelite boys sent to Babylon when told to disobey God said, “The God we serve is able to rescue us from death in the fire, but even if he does not, we will not disobey and dishonor him.” (Daniel 3). This is faith and faithfulness in action. God can rescue us to life, but if he doesn’t, we will honor him in our deaths.