Psalm 6: Prayer for Mercy in Time of Trouble.

Joshua did a great job walking us through this Psalm. Judging by the conversation, I think we were all inspired. Some highlights I have been mulling over:

1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your wrath. 2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am pining away ; Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are dismayed. 3soul is greatly dismayed ; But You, O LORD -how long ? And my

There are times when the consequences of sin threaten our very existence. Was David physically ill? Or was his acknowledgment of the depth of his sorrow because he had realized the ultimate price his sin required? Either way, God provided, in "how long," time for a request for mercy.

4 Return, O LORD, rescue my soul ; Save me because of Your lovingkindness. 5 For there is no mention of You in death ; In Sheol who will give You thanks ?

David's faith persevered through the darkness. He knew who God was and asked Him for mercy, not for anything David had done, but for the innate quality of God's character. David's understanding was that we had finite existence restrained to this world, but for us with the New Covenant perspective, are we seeking to glorify God and fulfill our earthly life's purpose? Maybe we need to remind ourselves that it is not God's will that we give up on glorifying Him in this world before we are called to glorify Him in the next. We HOPE for heaven, but we walk through this life because of our FAITH in God. As Josh explained, that's the difference between our "glory" and our "honor" Glory is scoring the touchdown, honor is showing up for practice.

6 I am weary with my sighing ; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. 7 My eye has wasted away with grief ; It has become old because of all my adversaries.

What is an enemy? Someone who is launching a dedicated campaign for our destruction. Whether against physical enemies, personal enemies, or the spiritual enemy, God's got our back so we can stand, or even weep, in His strength.

8 Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer. 10 All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed ; They shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed.

Our enemies don't gain strength from our tears, we gain strength when we bring our tears to God. He awakens us with new mercies: songs on our lips and praises on our tongues. He hears us as we seek Him in righteousness. He answers us when we call out to Him. And thank you for the testimonies of God revealing His glory in times of our brokenness. They were so beautiful.

Love you guys,
Hannah

A Homegroup Blog Update

Yesterday we went through Psalms 5 and it seemed like this Psalm was a template of how to deal with being wronged. 

So here is 

David's 5 (sometimes 6) Step Program for How to Deal When You've Been Royally Messed Over

1) Remind yourself by reminding God how powerful and awesome He is for listening to you.

2) Be honest with Him and tell him you are ready to bust some freaking heads.

3) Remind yourself, by reminding God that He's just , in control and isn't stoked about the wrongs done to you- He's got your back

4)Remind yourself, by reminding God that it is because of Him that you are different, because of Him that He sees you differently- ask Him to continue to guide you in being different. 

5)If necessary, you can again remind Him of attributes of your enemy in eloquent poetic form. God already knows and sees this, but it can be helpful and therapeutic to point it out. If not, you can skip to step 6.

6)End on a high note. Ask God to bless all those who follow Him, as He always does and remind yourself ,by reminding Him, that His love is like a shield that protects you and all who come to Him.

Cheers, Nortons! 

~ Rachael

Thanks so much for doing this Jess! Missed you yesterday!

-Rachael

Psalm 4

Selah: root might be from the Hebrew word "Calah" which means: "to hang", and by implication to measure (weigh)

According to this Psalm, what are the lessons about trust?

·         Trusting God

·         Trusting yourself

·         Trusting authority

·         Trusting...

What feelings does the word "Trust" evoke in you? What lessons have you learned and/or been taught about trusting?

How are the ideas of trust, justice, and peace connected?

Psalm 4:8 "At day's end I'm ready for sound sleep, For you, God, have put my life back together." (MSG)

Thanks

Jessica
Thanks for setting all this up!
Erica

Sent from my iPad

Week 3: Tuesday, September 28th

Psalm 3 (NASB)        
        ¹O LORD, how ^(A)my adversaries have increased!
         Many are rising up against me.
      ²Many are saying of my soul,
         "There is no ^(B)deliverance for him in God." ^[a]Selah.
      ³But You, O LORD, are ^(C)a shield about me,
         My ^(D)glory, and the One who ^(E)lifts my head.
      ⁴I was crying to the LORD with my voice,
         And He ^(F)answered me from ^(G)His holy mountain. Selah.
      ⁵I ^(H)lay down and slept;
         I awoke, for the LORD sustains me.
      ⁶I will ^(I)not be afraid of ten thousands of people
         Who have ^(J)set themselves against me round about.
      ^7(K)Arise, O LORD; ^(L)save me, O my God!
         For You have ^(M)smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
         You have ^(N)shattered the teeth of the wicked.
      ^8(O)Salvation belongs to the LORD;
         Your ^(P)blessing be upon Your people! Selah. 


They fishes breathe but where thy waters roll;
Thy birds fly but within thy airy sea;
My soul breathes only in thy infinite soul;
I breathe, I think, I love, I live but thee.
Oh breathe, oh think,--O Love, live into me;
Unworthy is my life till all diving,
Till thou see in me only what is thine.

- George MacDonald