Last week we began a journey exploring the book of Psalms as a daily Bible study. You may have noticed that each selection of last week’s reading plan had to do with the nature of scripture. Peering into the attitude of all the psalmists and the way they regard God’s Word has brought to the forefront how much the Bible takes the form of God’s love letter to each of us. I mean, each psalm we looked at had brought out the writer’s delight in being able to open up to scripture and study it for themselves because it is a treasure.
As we continue this journey, find a rhythm that causes your attitude to become one of excitement and anticipation (like the psalmists we read from last week) as you open up the psalter each day. Personally, I grab my first cup of coffee and recline back on my wooden deck the same way I would if I had just dug out the box of notes and love letters that Michelle and I have saved from our days in high school together. Doing this sets the stage for my mind to be attentive to what I am getting ready to do and helps to defend against unnecessary distractions. After I pray, asking God to “open my eyes” (Ps 119:18), I’m ready to dive in. What does your routine look like?
This week, as we set back and cherish the elegant love letter that we have before us, we will be focusing on the ultimate demonstration of that same love – the Psalms that point towards the Messiah who was yet to come. As I read through the circumstances that cause the psalmist we’re reading from this week to reflect and ponder their own restoration and salvation, I am reminded that I too wait and look forward to the day that my Savior will return. In many ways, as we eagerly await announcements of phased reopenings, I find our circumstances to parallel each other. I should be reminded to look forward to the day that our Savior will return to earth – and whether I’m here or not for that glorious day, the day that I will be reunited with Him in Heaven.
Truthfully, that hope that we can rest assured in is easy to take for granted. The psalms we are looking at this week serve as a reminder and encouragement of the relationship we have with our Savior.
Reminders from the Messianic Psalms
God is interested in me as an individual
When we talk about the work that Jesus accomplished when he came back to life after being crucified on a cross, we celebrate the fact that for anyone who would make Jesus the Lord of their life, he had just once and for all had the penalties of sin paid on their behalf. That death, as the penalty of sin, had been conquered by God himself in the form of a man. It is mind-boggling to ponder the effects, how many people’s eternal destiny has been changed because of the sacrifice made by Jesus.
It is easy to get caught up in awe of trying to comprehend how a sacrifice could be made. Or even, to attempt to evaluate the immeasurable love that God has for us in rescuing us. We need a reminder from time to time that to Jesus, the sacrifice that he made was explicitly for ourselves. As individuals, God is interested in us. In Psalm 8 David asks, “what is a man that you are mindful of him?” God is involved in the details of our lives. In application, we can consider what we’re holding back.
God is focused on fairness
A good portion of the Psalms we’re looking at this week has to do with the circumstances and unique situations that individuals find themselves in. The reality is, we’re in situations where we need a savior. We need redemption. We need help.
On top of being interested in each individual, God is also concerned with justice. Executing what is right and fair is a part of God’s essential nature. It is who He his. The penalty of sin had to be paid; Jesus’ dying on a cross was the only way we could experience an eternal restoration of our relationship to God.
In light of the personal nature that God has towards each person, we should realize that God is also interested in the justice of this world. Of course, injustice still happens. It exists as a result of sin. Until the world is restored under God’s judgment, there will continue to be injustices. For the time being, I’m thankful that God wants us to come to him with our shared concern for what is fair. When you read Psalm 35 on day 3 of this week’s reading plan, think about what sort of injustice you can bring to God in prayer.
God craves our captivation with him
There isn’t any part of our life that we need or should hold back from our God. That includes the quarantined circumstances that we find ourselves in. We may not understand how or why different hardships come into our life. Still, we have a Savior who is interested in each and every detail of those hardships.
As I read through these Psalms, it keeps occurring to me that it isn’t enough to bring the details of our life to God. To model the heart of worship that we find in these songbooks, we have to do so and caused our attention to turn back to God. The psalmist who calls for God’s judgment against the unrighteousness of their time is acknowledging God’s authority over the world. They’re admitting that they’re not the ones in control – only God is.
In realizing who is really in charge of all things, we’re able to realign what it actually means to be a Christian – to have a Lord who is in charge of our lives. As we consider who the Messiah is this week, don’t forget to realize who you are in relation to Him.
Week 2 Psalm Reading Plan
Here is a link to a daily Psalm reading plan that you may use as we Resume our Routines. We have included five days of focused study with a discussion question you can use as a journal response, or to start a conversation at lunchtime with your family. If you’re up for the challenge, we’ve planned out finishing the book of Psalms in this six-week study with some additional reading that sticks to each week’s theme.
If you’d prefer a PDF version you can use this link.
Exploring-the-Psalms-Week-2