Cross-references for lesson three

Read the following verses. Then please describe some modern day “horses and chariots” you might rely on instead of on God. This wraps up lesson three. Next week we move on to lesson four.

Deuteronomy 8:11
“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today,
Deuteronomy 8:12
“lest–when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them;
Deuteronomy 8:13
“and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied;
Deuteronomy 8:14
“when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Deuteronomy 8:15
“who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock;
Deuteronomy 8:16
“who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end–
Deuteronomy 8:17
“then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Isaiah 31:1
WOE to those who go down to Egypt for help,
And rely on horses,
Who trust in chariots because they are many,
And in horsemen because they are very strong,
But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
Nor seek the LORD!
Isa 31:2
Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster,
And will not call back His words,
But will arise against the house of evildoers,
And against the help of those who work iniquity.
Isa 31:3
Now the Egyptians are men, and not God;
And their horses are flesh, and not spirit.
When the LORD stretches out His hand,
Both he who helps will fall,
And he who is helped will fall down;
They all will perish together.

Week Three, Day Three, –#4

1) Which is easier: to dwell on self or God?  Why?

2) When you are down, how can you remember to focus on God?

Week Three, Day Two — #3

What principles can you gather about the use of “self words” in hard times?  Is it okay to use words like “I” “me” and “my”?

Thoughts for Week Three, Psalm 77

Hi Everyone!  Sorry for the lack of writing. 

Last week I was at my allergist’s office all day and so I had lots of time for study and reading.  After finishing week three (I told you I had a lot of time) I read in How to Read the Psalms by Tremper Longman III.  He wrote “The Old Testament saints lifted their petitions and complaints to God.  We must do the same.  While our prayers shouldn’t be consumed with our needs, who else can we turn to for help in our troubles?. . .Out of fear that our needs and longings will crowd out praise to God, ministers and other Christian leaders emphasize praise in prayer.  However, we must be cautious that the pendulum does not swing too far in the other direction so that petition is considered sub-Christian.  As we read the laments we are encouraged and instructed to turn to Jesus with our needs.”

Derek Kidner says of verses 7-9 that “This is a clear example of confessing one’s doubts to God.  As the broad misgivings of verse 7 are spelt out more precisely in verse 8 their inner contradictions come to light, and with them the possibility of an answer.  Asaph says, ‘It is mine own infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most Highest.’ “

Asaph realized that his doubts and struggles were a result of his own weakness–not God’s.  He chose to remember God’s glorious works.  Despite the way things look to our eyes, God has not changed: He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

This Psalm illustrates the saying, “Preach the gospel to yourself everyday.”  When we see with eyes of flesh we ought to take our concerns to God and ask us to give us a right perspective.  We need to remind ourselves of the truth.  Asaph set us helpful example of how we should approach God when we are going through trials.

Truths about God

Psalms Study, Week Two, Day Five, #5, 7

Which truths about God stood out to you the most?  Why?  How can you apply these truths to your life?

Knowing God Will Judge

This week my husband told me about the sophisticated drug smuggling tunnels that are built under the US/Mexican border.  My stomache turned inside out.  I like being in my own little safe world, but reality is that there is much evil in the world.  I know that I would fear if I didn’t know that God sees it all and will judge the wicked. 

Psalm 75 reminds us that God has an appointed time for judgment.  How does knowing that God will judge the wicked help you?

Pleading with God

From Lesson Two, Day Two, #1

In Psalm 74, Asaph pleads with God.  What attitude does he have towards God? 

Share your thoughts on Psalms, Lesson Two

This is the place to post whatever you want as you study Lesson Two.

A cross reference for Psalm 73

We are starting Lesson Two this week but I wanted to share this passage of Scripture my son was reading for his quiet time this morning. It goes so well with Psalm 73.

Malachi 3:13 “Your words have been harsh against Me,”
Says the LORD,
“Yet you say,
‘What have we spoken against You?’
Mal 3:14 You have said,
‘It is useless to serve God;
What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance,
And that we have walked as mourners
Before the LORD of hosts?
Mal 3:15 So now we call the proud blessed,
For those who do wickedness are raised up;
They even tempt God and go free.’”

Mal 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,
And the LORD listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the LORD
And who meditate on His name.

Mal 3:17 “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts,
“On the day that I make them My jewels.[fn1]
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
Mal 3:18 Then you shall again discern
Between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God
And one who does not serve Him.

Mal 4:1 “FOR behold, the day is coming,

Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“That will leave them neither root nor branch.

Mal 4:2 But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings;
And you shall go out
And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

Mal 4:3 You shall trample the wicked,
For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet
On the day that I do this,”
Says the LORD of hosts.

Footnotes:
3:17 Literally special treasure