At The Movies - Day 16
Day 16: Monday, August 07
Read Psalm 109
Highlight
For those that were with us last week as we studied Lament Psalms, you will notice a very similar structure here in Psalm 109. The psalmist begins by addressing God, then he makes his complaint against his enemies and a petition to God for justice. The language of this psalm warns us against a casual indifference to sin. The suffering of the psalmist is real and deserves justice! Sin hurts the people that God loves and neither He nor we should take it lightly. The curses that the psalmist calls down upon his enemies are exactly what their sin deserves. The mystery of the Gospel is that instead of the enemies of God being cursed… Jesus became the curse for us (Galatians 3:13). Paul, who wrote that line, was more aware of this than most. Paul’s sin against Jesus and His Church was so great that Paul deserved everything Psalm 109 calls for and more, yet Jesus took the punishment and offered forgiveness and new life.
Psalm 109 should remind us of the grace of Jesus, but it is also a guide to how we can experience peace when experiencing persecution. This prayer models how we can express our real emotion to God, and in bringing that before a God who hears and cares, we can ultimately receive His comfort. The psalmist ends in a statement of peace because “he stands at the right hand of the needy one.” (v31) Bible scholar Daniel Estes tells us, “In his frank dialogue with God the poet has wrestled in prayer till he has attained the certitude of faithful trust that leaves behind it all fears and doubts and wholeheartedly throws itself wholly upon God. . . . It is only when God takes the affairs of men into his own hands that the net woven by human lies and hatred is torn to pieces, and cursing is turned into blessing and fear of man into joy in God, who ensures the ultimate triumph of truth and justice.”
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 109
Highlight
For those that were with us last week as we studied Lament Psalms, you will notice a very similar structure here in Psalm 109. The psalmist begins by addressing God, then he makes his complaint against his enemies and a petition to God for justice. The language of this psalm warns us against a casual indifference to sin. The suffering of the psalmist is real and deserves justice! Sin hurts the people that God loves and neither He nor we should take it lightly. The curses that the psalmist calls down upon his enemies are exactly what their sin deserves. The mystery of the Gospel is that instead of the enemies of God being cursed… Jesus became the curse for us (Galatians 3:13). Paul, who wrote that line, was more aware of this than most. Paul’s sin against Jesus and His Church was so great that Paul deserved everything Psalm 109 calls for and more, yet Jesus took the punishment and offered forgiveness and new life.
Psalm 109 should remind us of the grace of Jesus, but it is also a guide to how we can experience peace when experiencing persecution. This prayer models how we can express our real emotion to God, and in bringing that before a God who hears and cares, we can ultimately receive His comfort. The psalmist ends in a statement of peace because “he stands at the right hand of the needy one.” (v31) Bible scholar Daniel Estes tells us, “In his frank dialogue with God the poet has wrestled in prayer till he has attained the certitude of faithful trust that leaves behind it all fears and doubts and wholeheartedly throws itself wholly upon God. . . . It is only when God takes the affairs of men into his own hands that the net woven by human lies and hatred is torn to pieces, and cursing is turned into blessing and fear of man into joy in God, who ensures the ultimate triumph of truth and justice.”
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