Reading the Scriptures Together: Week of May 13, 2018

Reading the Scriptures Together is a weekly post that is intended to serve as an extension of our Sunday Sermons. This reading plan is a compliment to the sermon, Psalm 25: A Psalm of Reliance on God

Monday: Psalm 25

Take time to read the Psalm that we considered on Sunday. The notes from the message are available on our website. As you read remember this: David isn’t writing from a place of peace and comfort, he’s in the middle of great opposition. As we read his prayer and hear the confidence that he has in God it’s easy to forget the difficulties of his situation, but his prayer reveals how even when he’s experiencing affliction and trouble he turns to God. He’s confident that God can deliver (vs. 1-3), guide (vs. 4-5) and forgiven him (vs. 6-7), and that there are blessings for those who place their hope in the Lord (vs. 8-14).

Tuesday: Romans 5

In Psalm 25 we have the reminder that those who place their hope in God will not be put to shame (25:1-3); David’s confident that God will not fail those who trust in Him. This doesn’t mean that we won’t suffer, but that in our suffering God will continue to show Himself faithful. In Romans 5:5 Paul makes a similar point, that our faith will not lead to disappointment (shame), even in the midst of suffering. Our hope in God is sure because of the work of Christ, which Paul unpacks in the rest of Romans 5. Even though we are sinners and undeserving of grace Jesus died to reconcile us to God (5:6-11). While in Adam we inherited sin and death through Christ we can receive forgiveness and life (5:12-21).

Wednesday: Nehemiah 9

In Psalm 25 David asks God to remember his mercy and love that ‘have been from of old.’ David knows the history of the nation of Israel and he knows the great mercy that God showed in spite of their rebellion. In Nehemiah 9 we have an overview of the egregious rebellion of Israel and the incredible mercy of God. Even after all that God had done to rescue His people and fulfill His covenant to them, they refused to obey and lived in defiance toward Him. But God never ceased to be faithful, and this is what David recalls. Now he’s asking God to extend this same kind of mercy toward him. We too are guilty of taking for granted the grace and mercy of God. As we read about Israel we shouldn’t point fingers in judgment, instead we should seek forgiveness for our own disregard of God’s kindness and ask for grace to live in grateful obedience to Him.

Thursday: Proverbs 3

Part of David’s prayer in Psalm 25 is a request for guidance. He asks God to lead Him and to give him wisdom. In Proverbs 3 Solomon writes about the benefits of God’s wisdom and the blessings of walking in His ways. When we depend on our own understanding of life we will ultimately be disappointed, but when we trust in the knowledge and wisdom of God we can walk confidently knowing that His ways are perfect. This doesn’t mean that life will be free of pain, but even our pain can be endured with contentment when we see it through the lens of God’s care and wisdom.

Friday: Psalm 30

Read Psalm 30 in preparation for our service on Sunday. As you read ask yourself these questions: What does this Psalm teach us about God? What does this Psalm teach us about ourselves? Also, take time to write down questions that you have about the Psalm, then come on Sunday and listen for answers to those questions.

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