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 25:1-3 Lord, I appeal to you. 2 My God, I trust in you. Do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me. 3 No one who waits for you will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced.
Read the Entire Psalm
I appeal to you. Read this Psalm aloud again and this time emphasize all the personal pronouns referring to God. He is a personal being. He is a being you can appeal to and you can trust in.
Scripture Reading
Matthew 21:1-11 – New International Version
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanks 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 Isaac and Suzanne. Ask God to encourage them and use them as they serve at Black Forest Academy in Germany.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
Zechariah 9:9-10
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem!
Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious,
humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem.
The bow of war will be removed, and he will proclaim peace to the nations.
His dominion will extend from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River
to the ends of the earth.
Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey to fulfill an Old Testament prophecy. He did not want there to be any confusion about his identity. Is he a good teacher? Is he just a healer? Is he a fake? He is the true King promised to bring peace. His dominion of peace as Zechariah says will stretch “to the ends of the earth.” No one forces him on the donkey. He is the one who tells his followers to go and get the donkey to ride into Jerusalem. He is very deliberate and purposeful. He is putting his identity on public display. Those walking with Jesus recognize what he is doing and they begin proclaiming him as King. Jesus is the King. He is very comfortable with the title of King. Live under his authority and enjoy the safety and protection that he provides. Only he can be the King in your life. How can you grow in putting yourself under the King’s compassionate rule?