The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Psalms 65-67, 69, 70
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: Psalms 65-67, 69, 70
The Psalms were written for community worship. People tend to make them, like they make their faith, mostly something done at home, alone. Israel was a faith community; the church is a faith community. The idea of an “unchurched” Christian would make no sense to the writers of the Psalms or of the New Testament. This doesn’t mean the Psalms should not be read in private worship in our homes, it just means that we must not see our relationship with God as something largely separate from our relationship with others. Jesus said that total love for God and love for each other sums up all the law and prophets. Psalm 65 begins with throngs of worshippers at the Temple in Jerusalem, and their worship takes their thoughts to the God whose greatness covers the earth as he very personally sends rain and harvest to provide for his people. Psalm 69 speaks of David and Israel’s suffering and hope of deliverance. It is also a prophetic Psalm that was frequently used by the Lord Jesus to describe his life. He was hated without cause by the Jewish leaders (Ps 69:4, John 15:25). Zeal for his Father’s house consumed him (Ps 69:9, John 2:17). Jesus had this Psalm in mind in his last minutes on the cross. In order that Scripture be fulfilled he said, “I’m thirsty.” After being given a jar of sour wine, he cried out “it is finished,” then he died. (Ps 69:21, John 19:28). This Psalm describes the life of Jesus except for one very important point. Unlike David, Jesus had no sin for which to repent (Ps 69:5). Jesus, the sinless son of David, brought the forgiveness of sins through his substitutionary death on the cross. Give thanks to God that even as he sends the gentle rains to cover the earth, he has sent his son, whose blood covers our sins. Give thanks that you have the privilege of gathering with God’s people in worship each week to worship Jesus, whose finished work on the cross has changed our lives forever.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Tonight is the last worship gathering for the semester for Christian Challenge. Pray for the students as they gather. Ask God to speak to the students and encourage them in the faith as they get ready to launch into the summer.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.