At The Movies - Day 01
Day 01: Monday, July 17
Read Psalm 145
Highlight
Psalms of Praise fall into a couple of categories. Some focus on the general characteristics of our good God, while others focus on individual acts of God in history that reflect his character. Psalm 145 is a psalm that praises the character of God rather than anything he specifically has done. Like many Psalms of Praise, it follows a pattern. It starts with a call to praise that invites others to join the speaker. Then it describes the aspects of God that are worthy of praise. And finally it concludes with an exhortation or encouragement to continue to praise God.
Psalm 145 specifically is a perfect example of a psalm of this kind because of two attributes. First, the psalm can be read as expanding circles of praise for God. First, it’s just the psalmist themselves (v1), then it’s the community of all believers (v10), and finally it’s every creature forever (v21). As the psalmist describes the goodness of God, it is as if he realizes that more and more creatures should be joining in to praise alongside him. Second, the psalm itself is structured to reflect how everything should praise God. This is seen in the fact that this psalm is an acrostic. Each line begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This was used by poets of ancient Israel to express that the whole alphabet, representing all of the words of Hebrew, are being brought forth to praise God. It’s a symbolic way of saying that it would require every word of their language and beyond to possibly reflect the goodness of God.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Psalm 145
Highlight
Psalms of Praise fall into a couple of categories. Some focus on the general characteristics of our good God, while others focus on individual acts of God in history that reflect his character. Psalm 145 is a psalm that praises the character of God rather than anything he specifically has done. Like many Psalms of Praise, it follows a pattern. It starts with a call to praise that invites others to join the speaker. Then it describes the aspects of God that are worthy of praise. And finally it concludes with an exhortation or encouragement to continue to praise God.
Psalm 145 specifically is a perfect example of a psalm of this kind because of two attributes. First, the psalm can be read as expanding circles of praise for God. First, it’s just the psalmist themselves (v1), then it’s the community of all believers (v10), and finally it’s every creature forever (v21). As the psalmist describes the goodness of God, it is as if he realizes that more and more creatures should be joining in to praise alongside him. Second, the psalm itself is structured to reflect how everything should praise God. This is seen in the fact that this psalm is an acrostic. Each line begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This was used by poets of ancient Israel to express that the whole alphabet, representing all of the words of Hebrew, are being brought forth to praise God. It’s a symbolic way of saying that it would require every word of their language and beyond to possibly reflect the goodness of God.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Posted in At The Movies