A few questions

1) Do you think it was just physically entering the sanctuary that was helpful for Asaph, or was there more to it than that?

2) Why is God’s perspective on life better than our own?

3) What do you think is the purpose of going through a faith crisis such as Asaph experienced?  Or, to ask it another way, how can God use a faith crisis to strengthen our faith?

How do you comfort a suffering brother?

Week One, Day 5 #2a

Donna asked for feedback on this question, “How could you use the experiences of the psalmist in Psalm 73 to encourage a believer who’s faith has been weakened after years of barely making it financially while watching an ungodly sibling prosper?”

How to find the introductions post

If you need to introduce yourself but couldn’t find the right place, click on “Introductions” under catagories on the sidebar.  This will take you to only one post–the right one for introducing yourself under.  I am sorry for the previous confusion.

A prayer from Psalm 73

I look around, what do I see–but evil all around me.

The wicked prosper and prevail–do You not see?

Is this walk of faith I’m living worth the effort it takes?

The worldy seem to be happier than I?

 

I spoke too soon–put a guard over my mouth.

You are God in heaven–let my words be few.

Forgive me for not trusting You–for honoring the wicked above You.

 

Despite my dreadful thoughts, You do not cast me away.

You hold me by my right hand and keep me close to You.

What I thought was happiness only leads to death.

You are my only treasure–there is none like You.

 

I draw near to You.  I put my trust in You. 

Fill my heart with joy unspeakable.

I will tell of all Your works.

Picture of the wicked man of Psalm 73

Meditations

“Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. . . .I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. . . .it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works” Psalm 73:1, 23-26, 28.

Is it true that there is none upon earth I desire more than You?  Reveal the idols of my heart and cast them down.  Make me faithful to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.   I want to be faithful to You, to rest in Your strength, to feed on Your word.  You are my portion, my supply.  My body is weary, but You sustain me.  Your grace IS sufficient.

 You Are My All In All by Dennis Jernigan

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising up again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name 

 

Seeing from God’s Perspective

Week One, Day Four, #3 – Please share with everyone:

“Why is seeing God for who He truly is, and seeing life from God’s perspective, so essential for living a life of faith that is pleasing to God?”

Be Thou My Vision

It is appropriate that as we study, various songs come to mind that remind us of the Scriptures we are studying.  Sheila asked me to post a traditional version of Be Thou My Vision as sung by Moya Brennan on Whisper to the Wild Water:

Lyrics:	English Translation:
Bí Thusa mo shúile	Be my vision
A Rí mhór na ndúil	Oh King of creation
Líon thusa mo bheatha	Fill my life
Mo chéadfaí’s mo stuaim	With understanding and patience
Bí Thusa i m’aige	Will You be in my mind
Gach oiche’s gach lá	Every night and everyday?
Im chodladh nó im dhúiseacht	Sleeping or awake
Líon mé le do grá	Fill me with Your love
Bí Thusa mo threorú	Will You be my guidance
I mbriathar is i mbeart	In my words and actions?
Fan thusa go deo liom	Stay with me forever
Is coinnigh mé ceart	And keep me on the right path
Glac cúram mar Athair	As my Father take care of me
Is éist le mo ghuí	And listen to my prayers
Is tabhair domsa áit cónaí	And give me a place
Istigh i do chroí	To live inside Your heart

The more familiar version has been a favorite of mine for years:

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

You can listen to the music at Cyberhymnal.

Which truth is most comforting?

Please share your answer to Day 2, question 6c: Which truth is most precious to you today?  Why?

My answer is the truth that He holds me by my right hand–because I prefer being held by my right hand; I feel comforted and secure when I am “guarded” on that side.

Why was the psalmist grieved?

Please share your answer to Day 2, question 5: What do you think has grieved his heart and made him feel foolish and ignornant?