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 91:1-8 The one who lives under the protection of the Most High
dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust:
3 He himself will rescue you from the bird trap, from the destructive plague.
4 He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under his wings.
His faithfulness will be a protective shield.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day,
6 the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand,
the pestilence will not reach you.
8 You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked.
Praise the Lord Almighty for being the place of ultimate protection. Your physical life on earth will end but He is a refuge and fortress for all of time. Ask Him for help to trust in Him.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Haggai 2:20-23 – The Message
20-21 God’s Message came a second time to Haggai on that most memorable day, the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month: “Speak to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah:
21-23 “‘I am about to shake up everything, to turn everything upside down and start over from top to bottom—overthrow governments, destroy foreign powers, dismantle the world of weapons and armaments, throw armies into confusion, so that they end up killing one another. And on that day’”—this is God’s Message—“‘I will take you, O Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, as my personal servant and I will set you as a signet ring, the sign of my sovereign presence and authority. I’ve looked over the field and chosen you for this work.’” The Message of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
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 children’s ministry at River. Pray for kids who don’t know Christ to turn to him.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
We live in a world filled with evil, corruption, exploitation, and suffering. We read about it in news, we experience it in our communities, and, all to often, we know it personally. Many times, evil men and women go on being evil, with what seems like little or no consequence. Sometimes, it may even seem like their evil deeds are embraced and rewarded while our efforts are powerless to create reform or change. Most problems are too big for us.
But they are not too big for our King. One day He will return and repay every evil deed. No evil will go unpunished. All things will be made right and all things will be made new. His enemies will be cast away forever. He will wipe away every tear. He will make all things new and we will be with Him fully, finally, and forever. We can trust Him to punish all pain and evil in a righteous way. We cannot trust ourselves in the same way.
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Rom. 12:17-19)
What evil, corruption, exploitation, or suffering do you need to trust the King with today? What does it look like to be faithful, but to also trust His just and righteous judgment?