The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Psalms 111-118
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: Psalms 111-118
Psalms 111 and 112 are called acrostic poems, which means that, in the original Hebrew, they have twenty-two lines each beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. There are nine of these alphabet poems in the book of Psalms. They may have been shaped this way as an aid in memorization or just to demonstrate order and the beauty of God’s word. As we read the Psalms, we will often see a line drawn between an exalted vision of the transcendent glory of God and the faithful actions of God’s people. What we actually believe about God will show up in our actions. For instance, if we believe God is able to provide all we need and that he is our greatest reward, then we will live lives of generosity with our time, talents, and treasure.
Paul quotes Psalms 112:9 as he challenges the New Testament church to be generous in their giving:
“The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. As it is written: He distributed freely; he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
This is not a promise that, if we give money away, then God is obligated to give us even more money. That is a lie of the prosperity gospel. Paul is casting a compelling vision of love for God that shows up in practical, sacrificial actions. God loves a cheerful giver because a cheerful giver is demonstrating, in the “attitude” of their giving, that they love God from the heart. This is something that we must train our hearts for over time. This training doesn’t begin by looking at our hearts, but by looking first to the glory and goodness of God. If we catch and hold a vision of God’s greatness, then we are positioned to be transformed at the heart level. Read the Psalms with that goal in mind.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Jason & Lisa as they study the Bible with a believing couple overseas. Also pray for their visas to be approved!
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.