For further reference:
1. Read Psalm 37:3-4: "Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart."
Why do you think delighting in God combats our tendency towards comparison and envy?
2. Read Psalm 37:11: "But the humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity."
Believers can look forward to their inheritance of eternal life, where they will spend eternity with God, ruling over a restored heavens and earth. How does this future reality change our perspective towards the things we envy?
3. Think about a person in your life right now who you often compare yourself to. Is there anything that this person has that you envy, or wish you had? What would it look like to surrender this to God?
Comparison and Envy
Psalms: Episode 6
Psalm 37:1–11
Trusting God
Psalm 1
For further reflection: 1. Read Psalm 1:1-2: "Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, And on His Law he meditates day and night." What characteristics define the person who is "blessed"? 2. Read Psalm 1:3-4: "He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers." This verse describes the existence of someone who trusts in God. Interpreting the metaphor of the tree, how would you describe this person's reality? 3. Choose from one of the three situations and reflect on where you’ve been trusting in yourself rather than God. Ask God to help you trust him in this area. -Something unknown in the future you’re anxious about -A decision you’re having to make -Something that’s causing pain or suffering in your life
Weakness
Psalm 8
For further reflection: 1. Read Psalm 8:2: "From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength." Why do you think God chooses to work through weak people to put his strength on display? 2. Read John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” This verse tells us that abiding in Christ is what give us strength. What do you think it looks like practically to "abide" in Jesus? 3. Think about an area of weakness being exposed in your life right now. What are three ways in which you could praise God for his strength in this area?