Today’s passage: Psalm 62
Helpful thoughts:
- God is not a last resort rock/salvation/fortress. He is the only one.
- This includes ourselves. The idea of finding strength within ourselves to overcome is contrary to this Psalm, to the Word of God.
- Increased success, popularity and wealth could be the greatest temptations on the earth.
- There is no lasting joy or strength in these things.
- There will be people who give no true respect as a result of these things…only expectations and manipulation from those who desire to benefit from your success, popularity and wealth.
Questions to consider:
- How does a verse like James 4:14 (What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.) affect your view of your inherit inner strength? How does seeing ourselves as weak, seeing God as ultimately strong and then resting in Him enable us to endure all things (Philippians 4:13)?
- Why does elevating my view of self end up being my downfall? How would viewing myself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-3) bring about a life of joy?
- How should a Christian treat a person who is “successful” (Like a professional athlete, a wealthy businessman, a celebrity)? What do they truly need? How might many others be treating them? How could you offer them something different and life-giving?