If we find that we are not at rest, it is because we are not resting in God’s goodness.
– Philip Graham Ryken in Discovering God
Author: Brian
Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor
Reflections on Psalms 56-60
Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today? Use those words to talk to the Lord.
- Responding to fear – Psalm 56 bids us to trust in God when we are afraid. Indeed God is greater than anything that can come against us so we need not fear. Psalm 60 reminds us that he is our fortress, refuge and strength. What brings you fear? Will you trust in your refuge?
- Exalted – The Psalmist exalts, gives thanks, and praises God for his great love and faithfulness (Psalm 57). How have you experienced God’s love and faithfulness? Give thanks to God and exalt him!
Polycarp
My family watched this movie a few days ago. What a great challenge for the church!
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
Current
Here are some good posts about discernment and the movies:
What Does ‘The Shack’ Say About Your Pain? – David Mathis (DG)
Why I Won’t Be Seeing (or Reviewing) The Shack Movie – Tim Challies
Our Mother Who Art In Heaven? – Tony Reinke (DG)
“Beauty and the Beast” to Feature an “Exclusively Gay Moment” – Denny Burk
The Facts about Beauty and the Beast Disney Movie – Amy Blevins
Sex on the Silver Screen: What Would a Victorian Christian Say? – Tim Challies
Prayer Quote of the Week
Prayer makes a godly man, and puts within him the mind of Christ, the mind of humility, of self-surrender, of service, of pity, and of prayer. If we really pray, we will become more like God, or else we will quit praying.
– E.M. Bounds
Reflections on Psalms 51-55
Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today? Use those words to talk to the Lord.
- Sinners – Psalm 53 reminds us that we are all sinners (v2-3). And Psalm 52 reminds us that God will judge the wicked sinner. So we plead for God’s mercy and seek his forgiveness (Psalm 51). He can cleanse us from our sins and blot out our iniquities. For what sins do you need to seek his forgiveness? Praise the Lord for his mercy!
- God our Helper – God is our helper and the upholder of our lives (Psalm 54). And so we cast our burdens upon him – and he will sustain us (Psalm 55). Where do you need God to help and sustain you? Cast those burdens on him.
Classic Quote
No one ever said at the end of his course that he had been too holy and lived too near to God.
—J.C. Ryle
Psalms 51-60: God Our Helper
(52-53, 58-59) How does David describe the wicked who have come against him in these psalms?
(52, 55-56) How does David respond when people come against him according to 52:8, 55:23, 56:3-4?
How are we often tempted to respond when people come against us?
How do you need to apply David’s response to your own life?
(54-59) How else does David respond when people come against him (54:1-3, 55:1-3, 56:1-2, 57:1, 59:1-2)? What is he looking for?
Name one situation in your life today in which you need to follow David’s example. Stop and do it now!
(52-60) In response to David, what does God do for David?
What does God do with the wicked?
How can this encourage you when you have others come against you?
(52, 54, 57, 59) How does David respond to what God has done for him (52:9, 54:6-7, 57:7-11, 59:16-17)?
For what situations in your own life can you do the same?
(51) Sometimes you are the person acting wickedly. How might you use this psalm to help you confess and repent your sins?
(51-60) Which verse(s) or psalm especially speaks to you, and why?
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
God Will Use Even You – Steven Lee (DG)
It’s okay to be a nobody, if in all you do, you serve Somebody.
Contentment in a Discontented World – Jason Helopoulos (TGC)
The Christian finds Christ to be sufficient. We are the richest and most secure people in the universe; so the storms may beat the walls of our lives and yet contentment can lie safe within. It isn’t touched, because it is wrapped up in Him, who is our All in all.
Do You Disagree Online Like a Nonbeliever? – Alex Hong (DG)
If our lives testify in any way large or small to the stunning beauty of our rescue, then we will begin to outshine the hostility and argumentative dialogue of our day.
When Christians Hurt You – Nicholas Batzig
In the house of God, Christians must learn to remember the identity of their brothers and sisters, humbly pray for their brothers and sisters, lovingly cover the sin of their brothers and sisters and privately confront their brothers and sisters.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping our great God with your local church!
Incite Joy
One of the ways we incite joy in our hearts is to rest in the gospel, recount its wonders, and recite its truths to ourselves.
– Stanley Gale in A Vine-Ripened Life
Brian J. Mikul 