Praise Him

*Apologies for delayed post, but I had some technical difficulties.

We’ve been given a great opportunity to use this slowed down pace of life and spend regular time with our children in Bible study. These are 15 minutes a day you will never regret!

June 15: Psalm 64

Today’s Takeaways:

• David is asking God to protect him from his enemies
• Only God will pass judgment and deal with the wicked accordingly

Today’s Talking Topic:

• We need to pray as the psalmist does: not only for God to save us from our enemies but also to save us from our fear of them. Is there anything that overwhelms you with fear right now?

June 16: Psalm 65

Today’s Takeaways:

• When David was alive, his culture still sacrificed animals according to Moses’ law. But David still believed God would provide the ultimate atonement. (verses 1-3)
• This psalm lists many reasons for praising God: answered prayer (verses 2 and 5); forgiveness of sin (verse 3); close relationship with God (verse 4); God is everywhere (verse 5); God’s power (verses 6 and 7)

Today’s Talking Topic:

• Psalms often give us clues for what occasion and/or season they were written. Could you find clues in this psalm to see if you can figure out what time of year this might have been written in? (hint: many believe this composed for a harvest festival, perhaps the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall)

June 17: Psalm 66

Today’s Takeaways:

• God alone deserves our awe – He alone is AWESOME
• The psalmist talks about the amazing things that God has done that show His power and how he deserves our praise.

Today’s Talking Topic:

• In verse 6 the psalmist talks about the parting of the Red Sea as an awesome act of God. What other awesome and mighty acts of God from the Bible can you name?
• What awesome things has God done in YOUR life?

June 18: Psalm 67

Today’s Takeaways:

• This is the third psalm in a row that talks about how God deserves our praise and worship.
• Our God is wonderful, mighty and worthy of our praise.

Today’s Talking Topic:

• Verse 1 says: “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us.” Have you heard Pastor Andrew say something similar in Big Church?
• Write down or draw all the things you are thankful for today and give God praise for them.

June 19: Psalm 68

Today’s Takeaways:

• God triumphs over enemies and wins the battle for his people
• This psalm points out a lot of God’s attributes. Verse 35 says that “God gives power and strength to His people.” We can trust God for strength when we need it. It may not come as we would like, but He promises it will come.

Today’s Talking Topic:

• Psalm 68 describes God as a “father to the fatherless” and as a “defender of widows”. Can you see other examples of God coming to the rescue of the vulnerable and defenseless?
• Think of one vulnerable or defenseless person and consider ways you can help them.

June 20: Psalm 69

Today’s Takeaways:

• This is a good example of a Messianic Psalm (that is, a Psalm that points to the coming of a Messiah). Seeing Jesus in the Psalms shows us that God’s word is true.
• We must love our enemies and leave the judgment to God.

Today’s Talking Topic:

• I think my favorite thing about the psalms (including this one) is that even when the psalmist is under a lot of stress, the psalms tend to end in joy and praise and in assurance that God will help.
• Try to find the verses pointing to Jesus (Hint: verses 4; 9; 21).

June 21: Psalm 70

Today’s Takeaways:

• Go back to Psalm 40:13-17, this Psalm is copied from it.
• David asks for deliverance for himself and for punishment for his enemies.

Today’s Talking Topic:

• There are 10 petitions in this short 5 verse Psalm. It shows a lot of urgency from the writer. What petition do you want to put in front of God today?