Thanksgiving Week - Psalms - Day 03
Day 03 - Wednesday, November 29
Psalm 95
Highlight
Charles Spurgeon noted several ways that we harden our hearts. He said that “we can harden them by resolving not to feel in regard to spiritual things. We can harden them through delayed obedience… an obedience that is convenient. We harden them when we believe doubts and criticism. He said our hearts can be hardened by the company we keep. And, we can harden them by participating in sin that we know is wrong.” The warning of a hard heart is also found 3 different times in the book of Hebrews (3:7, 3:15, 4:7) with an urgency for all of us to listen to God, and an asking for His softening of our hearts, so we can worship. It’s not something we should put off until tomorrow, but is for today - every day.
The hardening of hearts in rebellion specifically speaks of Israel’s trek in the desert where they refused to trust God. Their unbelief brought great consequences as an entire generation perished before entering into the Promise of what God held. The strong warning in the second half of Psalm 95 is tied to the challenge of the first part, which is a plea for us to stop everything and come before our God in full worship. Not just with our tongue but with our very life.
In humility, we bow down before our Maker, giving thanks for His work within us.
In humility, we bow down with our heart, making it pliable before Him.
In humility, it is a deliberate act of declaring our allegiance to Him.
When we are humbly before our God, recognizing who He is, what He has done, how He has been faithful our hearts stay soft in surrender. Coming before our God, bowing down before Him and giving praise each day is needed in our daily relationship with Him. When other things take precedence, our heart grows hard.
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)
Psalm 95
Highlight
Charles Spurgeon noted several ways that we harden our hearts. He said that “we can harden them by resolving not to feel in regard to spiritual things. We can harden them through delayed obedience… an obedience that is convenient. We harden them when we believe doubts and criticism. He said our hearts can be hardened by the company we keep. And, we can harden them by participating in sin that we know is wrong.” The warning of a hard heart is also found 3 different times in the book of Hebrews (3:7, 3:15, 4:7) with an urgency for all of us to listen to God, and an asking for His softening of our hearts, so we can worship. It’s not something we should put off until tomorrow, but is for today - every day.
The hardening of hearts in rebellion specifically speaks of Israel’s trek in the desert where they refused to trust God. Their unbelief brought great consequences as an entire generation perished before entering into the Promise of what God held. The strong warning in the second half of Psalm 95 is tied to the challenge of the first part, which is a plea for us to stop everything and come before our God in full worship. Not just with our tongue but with our very life.
In humility, we bow down before our Maker, giving thanks for His work within us.
In humility, we bow down with our heart, making it pliable before Him.
In humility, it is a deliberate act of declaring our allegiance to Him.
When we are humbly before our God, recognizing who He is, what He has done, how He has been faithful our hearts stay soft in surrender. Coming before our God, bowing down before Him and giving praise each day is needed in our daily relationship with Him. When other things take precedence, our heart grows hard.
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 Thanksgiving Week - Psalms