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 73 God is indeed good to Israel, to the pure in heart.2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my steps nearly went astray. 3 For I envied the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have an easy time until they die, and their bodies are well fed. 5 They are not in trouble like others; they are not afflicted like most people. 6 Therefore, pride is their necklace, and violence covers them like a garment. 7 Their eyes bulge out from fatness; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. 8 They mock, and they speak maliciously; they arrogantly threaten oppression. 9 They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues strut across the earth. 10 Therefore his people turn to them and drink in their overflowing words. 11 The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High know everything?” 12 Look at them—the wicked! They are always at ease, and they increase their wealth.
13 Did I purify my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing? 14 For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning. 15 If I had decided to say these things aloud, I would have betrayed your people. 16 When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless 17 until I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny. 18 Indeed, you put them in slippery places; you make them fall into ruin. 19 How suddenly they become a desolation! They come to an end, swept away by terrors. 20 Like one waking from a dream, Lord, when arising, you will despise their image.
21 When I became embittered and my innermost being was wounded, 22 I was stupid and didn’t understand; I was an unthinking animal toward you. 23 Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me up in glory. 25 Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. 27 Those far from you will certainly perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.28 But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.
Praise God for the reorienting power of His word and His people. Praise Him for His presence. His presence is your good.
SCRIPTURE READING:
1 John 2:15-17
Christian Standard Bible
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.
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 Israel. Ask God to bring this war to an end.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.
The things of the world and all that lust for them are doomed; they are destined for dust. The person who lives for the glory of God will find that their lives were not in vain, and their lives do not end at physical death. This is really a challenge to focus now on what matters in the end. You may get tired of hearing it, but you must not grow tired of believing and living it: what matters most at the end matters most now. The silly, vain, passing bouts of anger, greed, discontent, demanding, jealousy…they are the dust of death. Do not choke on that dust. Do not believe these things are life giving; they are life taking. Do not give in to passing, empty desires. Resolve to live your life for the glory of God and the good of others. You cannot believe that what your heart desires is outside your control. You decide what you love. Your heart, your love follows your investments. Give yourself away for the glory of God and the good of others. When you do, your heart will follow. You do not “fall” into love. You walk into it. Learning to love God and others is a long, often arduous walk in a single direction.