Today’s passage: Psalm 53

Helpful thoughts:

• Atheism is portrayed as intelligent and wise by the world.  In reality, it is utter foolishness.
• The Apostle Paul refers to these words in Romans 3:10-12.
• Outside of Jesus Christ, there is not a single person who will ever be in heaven because they were “good enough.”
  • Not only are we not good enough.  We also would not seek after God outside of His gracious intervention.
  • We want wrong. (The heart)  We do wrong. (Sins of commission)  We don’t do what is right, such as seeking after God. (Sins of omission)
• Check out Psalm 14.  Look for the difference between these Psalms.

Questions to consider:

1. According to this psalm (verse 1 included), is it possible outside of God’s grace to have a good heart?  Who has a good heart?  When we say that someone does have a good heart, how do we come to that conclusion?  Who are we comparing them to?
2. Does a lack of knowledge excuse sinful actions (Verse 4)?  What makes an action right or wrong?  Who makes (made) that decision?
3. Why would those who reject God mistreat believers?  Why would they feel like we are against them when in fact, we are seeking to be kind and truthful? (Think: Knowledge of sin, conviction, the necessity of repentance, coming judgment, etc.)

Today’s passage: Psalm 52

Helpful thoughts:

• This psalm was written Doeg the Edomite in mind.  You can see what he did in 1 Samuel 22:6-23.
• God is the only place of refuge that is truly safe.  Anything else we seek to find refuge in will ultimately hurt us.
• David waited on the Lord.  He knew that his growth would not come through the destruction of others but by the steadfast love of the Lord.  He was willing to remain in the “greenhouse” and allow God to raise him up at the proper time.

Questions to consider:

1. How could Romans 12:14-21 give us guidance when people sin against us?
2. Why do other means of “refuge” bring about destruction?  What do we have to leave in order to find new means of safety?  What has to be true of our thinking in order to decide there is better refuge to be had outside of God?
3. How have you been growing in God’s “greenhouse”?  What is He doing in your heart to make you more like Christ right now?

Today’s passage: Psalm 51

Helpful thoughts:

• This psalm was written by King David in repentance after being rebuked by Nathan after his sin with Bathsheba and having Uriah the Hittite killed.
• A desire to share the Gospel with sinners is preceded by joy in our own salvation.
• Signs of repentance in this psalm:
  • David believed he deserved punishment.
  • He confessed.
  • He knew his sin against God was the chief problem at hand.
  • He did not blame God for his troubles.
  • He believed the only hope he had would come from God’s mercy and grace.
  • He knew changing his thinking would result in righteous living (No longer living in sin).
  • He never said anything about forgiving himself.  God is the judge, not me.
  • He didn’t try to buy God’s favor or pay Him back with religious activity.
  • He acknowledged his sin hurt others, and his obedience would bless others.  His sin wasn’t about him…it was much bigger.

Questions to consider:

1. Do you have joy in your salvation?  Why or why not?  Why should we?
2. Did any of the signs of repentance surprise you?  If so which one(s)? Why was it surprising?
3. Which sign of repentance is the hardest for you?  If applied, how would you (and others around you) benefit from learning and growing in any or all of these areas?

Today’s passage: Psalm 50

Helpful thoughts:

• From verses 5-6: We are counted God’s righteous ones by sacrifice, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!  And we are declared righteous based on the righteousness of our sacrifice.  God is judge!  He says that’s the way it works, therefore, that’s the way it works! (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• God does not get richer when we give.  Everything we have already belongs to Him.
• John 8:31 – “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”
  • John 8:34 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.“

Questions to consider:

1. If God already owns everything, then who is the one who truly benefits when we give?  Who receives and increases in joy when I give with a cheerful, thankful heart?
2. What are the “sacrifices” of our day that people have decided guarantee their salvation?  For instance: Why is it a bad idea to automatically assume that someone who goes to church every Sunday is saved?
3. Who do followers of Jesus follow?  Who do lovers of God love?
4. Why is God worthy of our obedience and thanksgiving?  Where might you be able to grow in giving the Lord your whole heart with joy and thanksgiving?

Today’s passage: Psalm 49

Helpful thoughts:

• Some verses to consider with this psalm:
  • And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. – Hebrews 9:27
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    My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. – James 2:1-9

    
    
  • Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:14-21

Questions to consider:

1. What kind of world-view causes us to greatly value wealth and power in this world over God?
2. What truths help us to remember that people who sin against us are not inferior to us (Matthew 7:1-5, Ephesians 2:1-5)?  Would the world be a perfect place if everyone was just like you?  How can this humility help us to love people better?
3. How would this kind of love for people give you a platform to share the love of Christ in the Gospel?  How do we have to view ourselves and other people before we will be willing to share Christ with them?

Today’s passage: Psalm 48

Helpful thoughts:

• Instead of the city being a fortress for her king, God is the fortress for His city.
• People with the greatest understanding of all that God is are the ones with the most reason to praise Him.
  • Knowledge results in worship and obedience.
• Even after looking through the magnificent components of the construction of Jerusalem, the one thing the Psalmist encourages the reader to do, is to tell of the greatness of God.
  • Towers, ramparts, and citadels fall.  Our God remains forever.

Questions to consider:

1. What are we often tempted to trust in when things are going well?  When we have plenty of money, protection, safety, etc.?
2. How does a growing knowledge of the Lord bring about greater affection for Him?  How would this knowledge precede and change our desires and actions?
3. When you think/talk of the history of the church, who tends to be the main character(s)? (Do we talk first about what God has done or what man did? Or even about the building?)  What has God done?  Why should we praise Him?  What should we ask Him to do in and through us for His glory as a church?

Today’s passage: Psalm 47

Helpful thoughts:

• God is not great because we praise Him.  He is great and so we are right to praise Him.
  • He is the Lord Most High, He is to be feared.
• All peoples are to join in this praise.  This psalm calls the Jews and all Gentiles together in praise.
• Our praise to God is not a compulsory chore.  God has chosen to give us an inheritance!  We praise Him because He is worthy and because He has given us reason for joy!

Questions to consider:

1. Sinclair Ferguson said, “When you have a superficial view of sin, you will have a superficial view of grace.”  How can an overblown view of ourselves steal away our ability to enjoy and praise God?
2. What are some reasons that God is worthy of all worship?  Which of His attributes amaze you the most?
3. In what way does Jesus and the Gospel message give us specific reason to be thankful for our inheritance and cause us to rejoice?

Today’s passage: Psalm 45

Helpful thoughts:

• This is a Messianic Psalm.  Though it’s content seems like it could have been written for Solomon, Christ (The Anointed One – Verse 7) should be in view.
  • This Psalm is cited in Hebrews 1:8-9.
• The king rides out in victory for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness!
• Remember, the bride of the King will be clothed in His righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10)

Questions to consider:

1. Who is the bride of Christ? (Ephesians 5:25-27, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 19:7-9)
2. How could verses 10-11 be compared to passages like 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 or Ephesians 4:17-24?
3. Why was the Psalmist motivated to write and sing? (Verse 1)  What is true of our actions when our hearts are filled with the love of Christ?