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.