I Have a Question…

Throughout the Psalms, David asks God lots of questions. It’s okay for us to ask questions of God when we are confused, angry, hurt, sad…you get the idea. And just like Andrew said in his sermon, our praise must come before our protest. David does a good job of that! Let’s see what else there is for us in the Psalms this week.

Monday, April 27 – Psalm 15

Today’s Takeaways:

• David starts by asking God a question. There is likely both a literal and figurative meaning in this question. David is not a priest, so he can’t live in the physical house of God. Figuratively dwelling in God’s tent represents a desire to be close to God. 

Today’s Talking Topic:

• The word sojourn means, “a temporary stay”. Back in David’s time, hospitality meant doing everything you could to make your guest comfortable and safe. How does that change your view of God?
• What stands out to you the description of a person who can live in God’s tent(verses 3-5)?

Tuesday, April 28 – Psalm 16

Today’s Takeaways:

• This psalm was written in a time of despair, but David’s outlook and confidence is still in God. Even when times are hard, we can put our trust in God. 
• In verse 6, David references “a beautiful inheritance.” David was the last of many sons and would not receive any sort of money from his family. 
• David says, “I have set the Lord always before me” in verse 8. David is making an active decision to place God first.

Today’s Talking Topics:

• How can you put God before you today?

Wednesday, April 29 – Psalm 17

Today’s Takeaways:

• David asks God to hear his “just” cause. It’s easy for us to think what we want is just. 
• David was confident in God in the midst of crisis. He says, I have called upon God and He WILL answer me. 

Today’s Talking Topics:

• David says God has tested his heart. David wanted God to test him! That can require us to admit we were wrong or hard of heart. What are some questions we can ask ourselves to examine our heart?

Thursday, April 30 – Psalm 18

Today’s Takeaways:

• This is the fourth longest psalm. Fun fact. 
• In verses 7-15, David describes the way God rescued him. The image David paints involves intense emotion and anger and God himself coming to retrieve David. 

Today’s Talking Topics:

• David says God is his rock. What do you think that means? 

Friday, May 1 – Psalm 19

Today’s Takeaways:

• The psalm is filled with lots of images of the sky and sun – including references to day and night. 
• David talks about the way God reveals himself in creation in verses 1-6, then he shifts to the way God reveals himself through His word in verses 7-9. 

Today’s Talking Topics:

• In the first verse, David says the heavens declare the glory of the Lord. He is literally talking about the day and night sky. What about nature “declares” God’s glory for you?

Saturday – Psalm 20

Today’s Takeaways:

• This psalm is a prayer for the King David before he goes to battle
• A message of confidence is seen in verse 5. They are talking about hanging their victory banners up before the battle has even been fought. 

Today’s Talking Topics:

• In verse 7, David talks about how people trust in horses and chariots – what he is referring to is our human strength. But, he trusts in the name of the Lord! What are some “human strengths” you put your trust in instead of trusting God?

Sunday – Psalm 21

Today’s Takeaways:

• This psalm connects to the one before it. Psalm 20 is a prayer before battle and this is a praise after the battle is won. 
• David praises the goodness of God(3-7), but it’s important to remember that there were years in his life where he had to wait on God, particularly from the time he was anointed king to when he actually took the throne. 
• David was confident God would deal with his enemies. The Bible tells us that these men were intentional in their evil plans against David.

Today’s Talking Topics:

• David prays to God before battle(Psalm 20) and praises God after winning the battle(Psalm 21). Is there something you were praying for that you can now give God praise for? David teaches us a great lesson, which is to give God praise after He answers our prayers not just praying when there is a problem.