Sheep are one of the only animals that can’t really take care of themselves. All of the dirt, grime, and dust naturally gets absorbed into their wool, and they need someone to clean them. Left to themselves, sheep would wander off into the wilderness and die. They need a someone to guide them. A sheep can't really protect itself, and it can't really provide for itself. Sheep need a shepherd.
Isaiah 53:6a says, we all like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way. This is the human condition. We, like sheep, wander off on our own path leaning on our own understanding - trusting in something other than the Good Shepherd to save, sustain, and satisfy.
Psalm 23 is King David's deeply personal testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness throughout his life. As a Shepherd King, David knew what it meant to say of his creator “The LORD is my Shepherd”
Psalm 32 // The Forgiveness of God
July 16, 2023 • James Moseley • Psalm 32
When it comes to understanding who God is, we often make the mistake of viewing God based on how we
view ourselves. We all have faults and areas where we have come up short, and if we are not careful, we end
up with a view of God that looks a lot like us. When this happens, it affects the way we relate with Him. This is
seen in a big way when it comes to God’s forgiveness. The way you and I forgive is very different from God’s
Forgiveness. Some of us may struggle in our relationship with God because we have defined God’s
forgiveness based on who we are instead of who He is! Today we carry around the weight of our guilt and
shame as believers, and this is not the life Jesus speaks of when He invites us into a relationship with him.
In Psalm 32, we see that David has had his joy restored for his year of carrying around the guilt and shame
from his sins. David experienced the forgiveness of God! He starts by showing us what comes with God’s
Forgiveness. From here, he opens our eyes to what conviction looks like in the life of a Jesus Follower,
followed by how we can experience this forgiveness in our own life that only comes through Him!
HE FORGIVENESS OF GOD
Psalms 32: 1-5 ESV
1. WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?
A. God's forgiveness REMOVES the guilt of our sin
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven… ( v1)
B. God’s forgiveness COVERS the shame of our sin
“… whose sin is covered!” (v.1b)
C. God’s forgiveness WIPES CLEAN the record of my sin
“ How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity…” (v. 2a)
Psalm 145 // Forever And Ever
July 9, 2023 • Psalm 145
Psalm 145, a magnificent hymn of praise, beautifully captures the essence of God’s goodness and mercy towards all His creations. It is an acclamation of God’s greatness, a testament to His everlasting kingdom, a celebration of His righteous acts, and an affirmation of His tender mercies. This Psalm paints an awe-inspiring image of our Lord as a compassionate and gracious God who fulfills the desires of all who fear Him, hears their cries, and saves them. It is not just a declaration of God’s splendor but a call for us to continually extol His virtues to the ends of the earth.
We, as God’s chosen people, are invited to personally bless and praise His name in our daily lives. This is not merely a religious duty, but a joyous privilege that brings us closer to Him. We can do this through prayer, worship, and by living a life that reflects His love and kindness. In doing so, we immerse ourselves in His blessings, experiencing His grace, mercy, and peace in profound ways. This personal act of praising God not only strengthens our relationship with Him but also fills our hearts with hope, love, and unshakeable faith.
Finally, Psalm 145 underscores the importance of passing down God’s teachings to the next generation. Our role extends beyond personal devotion; we are called to be torchbearers of His word, guiding our children and the younger members of our community toward knowing, understanding, and appreciating His grace. By sharing stories of His goodness, teaching His commandments, and demonstrating His love in our actions, we can encourage a deep-seated love for God. This spiritual legacy is invaluable, for it ensures that the praises of God continue to echo through generations, keeping His goodness, mercy, and love alive in the hearts of His people. FOREVER AND EVER.
Outline
Praise must be personal (v. 1).
Praise is proportionate to the way its object is seen. A great Savior results in great praise (v. 3).
Praise God with your children watching, and never make them think it is a burden (v. 4).
Praise God with all your heart, but don’t forget your mouth (v. 6).
A praise that pours comes from the soul who has been to the fountainhead and joins the choir (v. 7).
God stoops to lift those who are prone to fall or do not think they can stand (v. 14).
The hand of grace is never closed to sinners (v. 16).
A holy heart desires what only a holy God can give (v. 19).
Praise and blessing come from a heart that knows it is kept by God’s love (vv. 20-21).
Application
Is God your King?
Each generation composes a chapter of praise to be shared with the next generation… what does yours say?
Is praise a daily practice for you?
Questions
Where have you seen God’s goodness, faithfulness, and power—in this psalm, in the life of Jesus, and in your life?
How could you remind yourself to praise God more often?
How are you teaching the next generation about who God is and what he has done?
What impact might your praise have on those around you?
Is there anything that needs to change in your praise life?
A Satisfied Soul Sings and Clings
July 2, 2023 • Psalm 63
It's details that we sometimes miss. The note at the top of Psalm 63 provides what is needed to understand
the circumstances surrounding this beautiful Psalm. King David was a fugitive from his own land and was
forced to flee into the wilderness because of the treachery of his third son, Absalom. The rebellion against his
father stemmed from a complex web of resentment, ambition, and familial conflict. He cunningly won the
hearts of the Israelites, declared himself king, and even publicly slept with David's concubines in a show of
power. This audacious uprising led to a civil war, where Absalom's forces were ultimately defeated.
David uses the metaphor of a parched body's desperate need for water to illustrate his yearning to feel the
presence of God. His sorrow stems not from threats to his political standing or life but from his involuntary
estrangement from the sanctuary where God is revered. Being away from the Lord's temple is like traversing a
barren, arid land devoid of water (Ps. 63:1). David's "soul thirsting" and his "flesh fainting" for God signifies
his profound longing for a spiritual connection with the Lord. During this difficult time, David faced the
possibility of losing his kingship, reputation, and even his life. Rather than complain, he turned to God and
found joy in knowing that the Lord was all he needed for a fulfilling life. David prayed to seek God's guidance,
found contentment, and resolved to cling to the Lord's steadfast love, which he believed was better than life
itself (Ps. 63:3). A SATISFIED SOUL SINGS AND CLINGS.
Outline:
Fainting flesh needs a faith that will cry out (v. 1a).
God sometimes uses the wilderness to wean us from worldliness (v. 1b).
Love draws the line between worship and idolatry (v. 2-4).
A satisfied soul cannot be silent; it has to sing (v. 5-7).
A soul that clings to God knows whose grip to trust (v. 8).
Salvation is settled by what the soul seeks (vv. 9-11).
Application:
Are you suffering in a dry and weary land?
What is your soul clinging to, and whose grip are you trusting?
Is salvation settled for you?
Questions:
Do you long for God? How strong is your desire for him currently?
How does God use trials in the wilderness to turn our hearts toward him?
Why do our hearts struggle with loving the gifts rather than the giver?
What means of grace are available to help our souls cling to God?
Why is it important to remember who is holding us?
The Witness, The Word, & The Worship
June 25, 2023 • Psalm 19
Psalm 19 has been cherished by believers throughout the ages. C. S. Lewis wrote of Psalm 19 stating, “I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.” This powerful Psalm presents us with three key themes that are not only essential for our spiritual growth but also integral in deepening our relationship with God: The Witness of the Heavens, The Word and Its Work, and The Heart of Worship.
The Witness of the Heavens shows us that God's glory is continuously proclaimed through His magnificent creation. Even though the heavens shout His majesty, our sinful nature suppresses the truth. May we open our hearts to hear and recognize His presence in the world around us. Diving into The Word and It's Work, we learn that God's Word is necessary for knowing Him personally and walking the path of righteousness. It is through Scripture that our souls are revived, wisdom is given, and our hunger for holiness grows. May we treasure God's Word and allow it to shape our lives and guide our actions.
Finally, we will examine The Heart of Worship, may we offer ourselves as living sacrifices in response to the redemption and salvation granted by Jesus Christ. Our spiritual worship is made acceptable to God when we present our lives in surrender and service to Him.
Psalm 46 - Fighting Fear With Faith
June 18, 2023 • James Allison • Psalm 46
We are created to know, enjoy, and glorify God. Colossians 1:16 reminds us that "All things are made by Him and for Him."
The moment sin entered the world, the shalom (peace and wholeness) the Creator made was shattered. Every day, somehow, someway, the brokenness of your world will press in on you. We live in a cultural moment defined by division and fear. But the war all around us in simply symptomatic of the greater war inside us, dividing our loyalty, attention, and focus.
God doesn’t expect us to cover up these worries with a fake smile, pretending that everything is fine. He invites us to run to Him with our worries in hand. Psalm 46 tells us that we do not have to be afraid. The Lord of Host is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.
While fear usually has us looking at our past, at ourselves, or at our circumstances, faith redirects our focus to our future, to God, and to His promises. This is how we fight fear, by seeking refuge in God's presence, trusting in His power, choosing surrender, and relying on His sovereignty.
Summer in the Psalms // Psalms 8 // Uncommon Invitation
June 11, 2023 • Chris Greenwood • Psalm 8
Psalm 8 serves as a breath of fresh air to the book of Psalms. It is David’s personal declaration of who God is, His heart towards humanity, and ultimately the invitation to join him in his kingdom work. Scholars believe David would have used this Psalm to regularly remind himself of his relationship with the One True King. Join us as we walk through the words of David and see the Heavenly Father through his eyes.
Summer in the Psalms // Psalm 1 // Which Way?
June 4, 2023 • Psalm 1
The Psalms are a divinely ordained way to learn devotion to our God, a collection of timeless songs and poetry
that have been treasured by the Church for centuries. Why are they so important? They are holy Scripture
filled with rich theological truths and they provide us with an insight into God's character and actions. The
Psalms stir our hearts in a unique way. As John Calvin so aptly put it, the Psalms are an "anatomy of all parts
of the soul," meaning that no matter what emotion we are feeling, we can find solace, comfort, and inspiration
in these ancient texts.
The Psalms are particularly special because they are not meant to be merely read but also recited, prayed, and
sung. This makes them a powerful tool for learning devotion to our God and for connecting with Him on a
deeply personal level. It is no wonder that Martin Luther called the Psalms a "mini Bible," as they offer a
comprehensive look at the human experience and our relationship with God.
Psalm 1 is a wisdom Psalm that shows the way of the righteous versus the way of the wicked. In this Psalm, we
see the importance of aligning our lives with God's Word and avoiding the temptations of the world. Through
meditating on this Psalm and incorporating it into our prayers and worship, we can learn to live more fully in
God's grace and embrace the abundant life that He has promised us. The question we must ask ourselves is:
WHICH WAY?
So let us take the time this summer to dive deeper into the Psalms and allow them to transform our hearts and
minds. These ancient texts still hold so much relevance for us today and offer us a window into the beauty and
majesty of our God.
Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 1
June 4, 2023 • Psalm 1
The Psalms are a divinely ordained way to learn devotion to our God, a collection of timeless songs and poetry
that have been treasured by the Church for centuries. Why are they so important? They are holy Scripture
filled with rich theological truths and they provide us with an insight into God's character and actions. The
Psalms stir our hearts in a unique way. As John Calvin so aptly put it, the Psalms are an "anatomy of all parts
of the soul," meaning that no matter what emotion we are feeling, we can find solace, comfort, and inspiration
in these ancient texts.
The Psalms are particularly special because they are not meant to be merely read but also recited, prayed, and
sung. This makes them a powerful tool for learning devotion to our God and for connecting with Him on a
deeply personal level. It is no wonder that Martin Luther called the Psalms a "mini Bible," as they offer a
comprehensive look at the human experience and our relationship with God.
Psalm 1 is a wisdom Psalm that shows the way of the righteous versus the way of the wicked. In this Psalm, we
see the importance of aligning our lives with God's Word and avoiding the temptations of the world. Through
meditating on this Psalm and incorporating it into our prayers and worship, we can learn to live more fully in
God's grace and embrace the abundant life that He has promised us. The question we must ask ourselves is:
WHICH WAY?
So let us take the time this summer to dive deeper into the Psalms and allow them to transform our hearts and
minds. These ancient texts still hold so much relevance for us today and offer us a window into the beauty and
majesty of our God.
