Save Those You Love
Opening Prayer
If you or your church are in a “rugged place” right now, talk with God about how things are.
Read Psalm 108:1-13
[1] A song. A psalm of David. My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul. [2] Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. [3] I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. [4] For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. [5] Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. [6] Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. [7] God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth. [8] Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter. [9] Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” [10] Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? [11] Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies? [12] Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. [13] With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What is the psalmist’s plea and source of hope?David remembers who God is and what he’s like, and looks forward to being rescued. Imagine David getting out his lyre and strumming along as he sings! But he doesn’t let his tough predicament get him down. He’s full of praise for his Lord who parcels out land for all tribes and peoples (7-9). God, not the warring, conquering nations, is the one who has everything under control. Isaiah needed to remind God’s people in exile of the same thing (Isa. 40:15). Strengthened by this assurance about God, David heads for the strong city (10). He doesn’t sit back and revel in God’s love for him–after being under attack he’s now fighting back. He’s certain of the partnership he has with the Lord (13). Look through the past two weeks’ readings and pick out those that describe who we are and what we are in relation to God. Let those thoughts lift your spirit. Use vs. 3 and 4 to thank God that it is only by his grace that we belong to him and are kept safe. With his help you can move on in faith as his servant.
Apply
Use vs. 3 and 4 to thank God for his saving grace and help. What help do you need to move on with him in faith?
Closing prayer
Lord God, when difficult times come to me, help me to remember that You have everything under Your control.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.