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 35:11-18 Malicious witnesses come forward; they question me about things I do not know. 12 They repay me evil for good, making me desolate.
13 Yet when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, and my prayer was genuine. 14 I went about mourning as if for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for a mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; they gathered against me. Assailants I did not know tore at me and did not stop. 16 With godless mockery they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages;
rescue my precious life from the young lions.
18 I will praise you in the great assembly; I will exalt you among many people.
Read the Entire Psalm
Unconditional Praise and Exaltation. This Psalm goes back and forth with the writer complaining about how he has been mistreated and asking God to intervene. In verse 17 He asks, how long will you look on? Rescue me the Psalmist prays. In verse 18 the Psalmist declares his commitment to praise. He does not say rescue and I will praise. He asks for rescue but commits to praise. His praise is motivated by God’s ability to rescue. He commits to praise because God sees his plight. Praise God because He is. There is no one like Him. He will act justly. He will rescue whom He rescues. He is worthy. Praise Him.
Scripture Reading
1 John 1:1-4 – English Standard Version
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
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 CAYM (Christina Association of Youth Mentoring). Ask God to use this ministry for His glory and to make Himself known to children and their families through faithful mentors and mentoring organizations.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
John proclaimed what he had seen with his eyes and looked upon. This seems redundant. If you have seen something clearly, you have looked at it. The truth is that he is using two different ideas that can be lost in translation. You can “see” something and not know what you are “looking at.” You could be shown the blueprints of some revolutionary technology and have no idea what you are “seeing.” A child can see a priceless diamond and not “see” its great value. John saw, with his human eyes, the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and John was empowered to see with understanding what it meant. What have you seen in your life? What has God done for, to, and through you as you have believed the gospel? You’ve “seen it.” It is after all, your life. Have you “seen” what it means? Have you understood how God has woven you into his story? Have you seen and understood that the things that have happened have not been random or without purpose? You have seen, but have you seen? Ask God to help you to see him in all of it.