Dear Class:

Today we continued our study of the Book of Psalms with a focus on Psalm 138. The psalmist (David) exhibits his understanding of the difference between praising and thanking God.  We always have reason to praise God for Who He is even when we don’t fully understand what He is doing for us.

If you’re like me, one of the most difficult things for you to master is having the discipline to wait on God.  When I think about it, God waited a very long time for me to be ready to actually submit to His sovereignty and put His will ahead of mine.  Of course He knew all along that I would, and even when I would say yes to His management of me.  However, we don’t have His omniscience which is why faith is such an important commodity for believers.

God is keenly aware of how hard it is for us to really trust Him, especially when things aren’t going our way.  That’s why David says in Psalm 138:3, “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.”  Notice that David doesn’t say that God immediately gave him exactly what he asked for.  What God did do however, was to He give David “boldness” (confidence) coupled with “strength” (perseverance) so that he could get through the difficulty in such a way that God was glorified and David was blessed with spiritual growth.
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Note:

Please note that next Sunday, July 2, we continue our study of the Book of Psalms with a focus on Psalm 84.  The psalmist reflects on the joy of living with the assurance of God’s presence.  Such assurance gives us an incomparable peace of mind and sense of security.  Here we see a foreshadowing of the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit for believers.

Special Note:

Remember to sign-up for the next class event on Sun., July 9 at 12:30p in Heritage Hall (downstairs across from Faith Hall).  Please give $5 per person to Marie to help with the catering cost.  The theme of our event is Worship.  Some will share their favorite hymn by singing or reciting the lyrics.  We’ll also be blessed with Michael W. Smith’s “A New Hallelujah” worship concert.  We encourage you to invite friends and family as well.

Dear Class:

Facilitated by Willie Hart, we continued our study of the Book of Psalms with a focus on Psalm 23. This best known psalm compares the LORD to a loving shepherd in whom the psalmist (David) has complete trust for provision and protection.

In the context of our discussion of Psalm 23 we touched upon a very important truth – knowing and believing are not the same thing.  It’s possible and all too common for us to know something about God but not believe it.  For example, when we truly believe what Rom. 8:28 says about our Heavenly Father “working all things together for good” we should be able to “give thanks in all things” (1 Thess. 5:18).  Knowing is passive, whereas believing requires action.

Yes, David knew the LORD, but he also believed in the LORD evidenced by what he did when Goliath challenged the Israelites and dishonored God.  We need to pray as the father of the possessed son requested of Jesus in Mark 9:23-24, “Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
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Note:

Please note that next Sunday, June 25, we continue our study of the Book of Psalms with a focus on Psalm 138.  In this psalm of thanksgiving we see how David acknowledges the many ways in which he is thankful to God and how he mixes praise and thanksgiving together as the proper response to answered prayer.