Foundations August 1, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Ezekiel 41-43

Remember the Works of the Lord

Read Psalm 78

Through the book of Psalms, the basic themes of Scripture are turned into songs. The psalms ushered the people into worship, proclaiming essential truths about God and man. This month we will look at a number of those truths more closely.

A number of Psalms, like Psalm 78, stress the importance of remembering what God has done. Whether or not we remember, His deeds directly impact our beliefs about God and ourselves. The Israelites did not remember and it led them into much trouble and sorrow. And this lack of remembrance was not due to a foggy memory; it was a deliberate ignorance of God’s mighty acts, which in turn was a rejection to their calling as a chosen people subject under God. When they “forgot” God, they withdrew from the covenant they had made. They no longer feared God; rather they upheld themselves, rejecting the truth about the nature of God and man.

Overview:

Verses 1-8: The importance of recounting the past to new generations

Verses 9-16: God’s people forgot how He rescued them from Egypt

Verses 17-31: They complained in the wilderness, despite God’s care

Verses 32-39: Continued sin, despite God’s judgment

Verses 40-64: How they forgot the exodus and tested God

Verses 65-72: God chooses the line of David for an eternal kingdom

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1)   Have you ever noticed your opinion of God and your fear of the Lord diminish because you have neglected to thank Him for what He’s done for you?

2)   Think about what God has done for you in the last month. Then thank God for His sovereign hand in your life.

a.   What is something He saved/protected you from?

b.   What is something He blessed you with?

c.   What is something He taught you?

d.   What is something He forgave you for?

3)  Tell others about these blessings today. Be sure to speak praises to God in your home so those who live with you may hear and rejoice!

Foundations July 30, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Ezekiel 37-38

Messianic Prophecy

Read: Psalm 22

This Davidic Psalm is a Psalm of the cross. It is a prophecy of Christ’s suffering and the record of many of His dying words.  In this Psalm we see the sufferings of Christ and the glory that follows.  The gospels give us an account of Jesus sufferings from the viewpoint of witnesses but this Psalm reveals the viewpoint of Christ.  It begins in verse 1 with Jesus’ famous cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (See also Matt. 27:46).  The first half of the Psalm depicts a sufferer who is surrounded by enemies and who feels forsaken by God.  (Verses 7 and 8 are referenced in Matthew 27:39, 43).  In this Psalm we find David crying out for deliverance and at the same time we see that he places his hope and trust in the Lord, based on God’s past faithfulness.  The second half of the Psalm expresses the joy of deliverance.  This praise encourages all those who fear God to praise Him and is confident that all will turn to the Lord (vs. 27). 

Overview:

Verses 1-21: A cry for help

Verses 22-31: A foretaste of deliverance

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1.   David felt the distress of unanswered prayer (vs. 2) but He did not blame God, instead He trusted God and spoke of His greatness (vs. 3-5).  How do you respond to unanswered prayer?  Do you blame God or quit praying or do you press in and keep on knocking?

2.   David also knew the distress of being mocked (vs. 6), they mocked him for his trust in the Lord, yet He continued to trust and recall God’s loving care.  Have you experienced persecution for your faith in the Lord?  Ask the Lord to strengthen you and to help your trust in Him to grow in spite of the mockery.

3.   David committed to praising God when God answered his prayer (vs. 22-23).  He knew that the Lord would vindicate Him through this trial.  Pray that the Lord would do the same for you and that you would patiently wait for that vindication. 

Foundations July 29, 2012

Messianic Kingdom

Read: Psalm 72

The title of today’s Psalm tells us that it is of Solomon which means that Solomon is the author of this Psalm.  This Psalm is a prayer that all the future kings of Israel would rule God’s people well, protect the poor and needy and bring blessing to all the nations of the earth.  It is considered to be a Messianic Psalm because it looks forward to what Jesus will ultimately accomplish.  Jesus will bring justice to the world and He will judge in righteousness (vs. 2).  He will have dominion over the entire world (vs. 8) and all kings will fall down before Him and worship Him (vs. 11).  All nations will be blessed in Him (vs. 17) and call Him blessed.  Jesus is a great leader, in fact, He is the greatest.  He judges correctly and never makes a mistake.  We don’t always understand what He is doing but we can trust that His decisions are always right.  This Psalm mentions the poor and needy several times, (vs. 4, 12, 13).  The Sovereignty of God brings much hope to the poor and despised.  They are safe under the watch of the King who will be their protector.  Sin, Satan and all our enemies will be crushed by Christ. 

Overview:

Verses 1-7: A description of the reign of the Messiah as righteous & just

Verses 8-11:  The universal reign of the King

Verses 12-14: He brings justice, relief for the needy

Verses 15-17: Let all be blessed through Him

Verses 18-20: Doxology

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1.   What are all the things that this Psalm tells us about Jesus? Spend some time thanking Him for these things.

2.   What do verses 8-11 tell us about Christ’s reign? 

3.   What should be our response to this passage of scripture, our response to the rule and reign of Christ?

4.   Pray that the church would grow in experiencing the hope that comes when they put their trust in Christ. 

Foundations July 28, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Ezekiel 34-36

Royal Psalm

Read: Psalm 20

This Psalm is like a national anthem for the nation of Israel to sing at the outbreak of war.  It’s interesting to note how if the trials of war wouldn’t have existed then we would not have been blessed by this Psalm.  It’s the same in our lives, sometime the trials and troubles that we go through are actually God’s blessing on our lives because they give us the opportunity to seek Him and grow in our walk with Him.  The first four verses are a prayer for protection and success in battle.  Verse 7 states, “some trust in chariots, and some in horses”; these were the most dreaded war engines of the day yet God’s people considered the name of the Lord to be a better defense.  Faith in the Lord and trust in Him is better than following the ways of the world.  Verse 8 tells us that chariots and horses collapse and fall but that those who rely on the Lord will rise and stand upright.  So what are some of the things that we rely on in our society?  A steady income, technology, ourselves, a retirement plan, friends, family and the list could go on and on.  Yet David, when heading into battle, often knowing that he was outnumbered and outgunned, put his faith and trust in the Lord.

Overview:

Verses 1-4: Prayer for the success of the king

Verse 5-7: Confidence in God and his Anointed

Verse 8: Declares the defeat of the foe

Verse 9: A concluding appeal

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1.   Ask the Lord to show you some of the things that you rely on… a steady income, technology, yourself, a retirement plan, friends, family, etc.  Pray that you would grow in putting your faith and trust in the Lord.

2.   Ask the Lord to expose more of the things that you put your trust in throughout the rest of the summer and into the fall so that you can deal with them and put Him first in your life. 

3.   Thank the Lord for His protection, that it’s available to the faithful.

Foundations July 27, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Ezekiel 32-33

Covenant Psalm

Read: Psalm 132

This joyful Psalm speaks of God’s covenant with the house of David (2 Sam. 7:4-16).  Most of the Psalm is expressing trust and belief in these promises.  The writers pray that God will carry out His plans and purposes.  It starts with a plea to the Lord to remember David’s desire to find a dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 25:10-22).  Once the Ark finds its resting place in the temple, the Psalm continues by reviewing the oath that God made to David to preserve His dynasty.   God is unchangeable and He will not turn from His covenants.  We know that this covenant was fulfilled in Christ because Christ sits on the throne forever and ever.  Jesus came from the line of David and through Him comes blessing for Zion.  Even today, He is King of the Jews.  The Lord chose Zion, David captured it, Solomon built it and the Lord dwelt in it and He is coming back to rebuild the Earth and dwell in Zion once again!   

Overview:

Verses 1-7: David’s desire to build a house for the Lord

Verses 8-10: A prayer at the removal of the Ark

Verses 11-18: A pleading of the divine covenant and its promises

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1.   David is remembered as the man who desired to build a house for the Lord.  What will you be remembered for?  Will you be remembered for your faithfulness to the Lord?

2.   Jesus is coming back again.  These words bring joy to the hearts of some and fear to the hearts of others.  Ask the Lord to show you where your heart is at when it comes to looking forward to His return. 

3.   Ask the Lord to grow in you a joy, a yearning and an eager anticipation of His return.

Foundations July 26, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Ezekiel 29-31

Messianic

Read: Psalm 2

A Messianic Psalm is one that looks to the future, to the coming Messiah.  Today’s Psalm shows us picture of people who fight against the Lord’s anointed and the purpose of God to exalt His Son; and the ultimate reign of that Son over all His enemies.   It must be read with faith in the final triumph of Christ over His enemies.  The first few verses describe the hatred of human nature against Christ.  The focus turns in verse 4 to the secret place of the Most High.  How does God react to the rage of man?  He laughs at the rebels and declares His firm purpose to establish the throne of David as He has promised.  In verse 7 we hear the Anointed One declaring His rights of Sovereignty and warning the traitors of their doom.  The promises of God will not be shaken, they are sure to be forever.  In verse 10 the scene changes again and counsel is given to those who may rebel.  They are encouraged to obey and submit to God’s will. 

Overview:

Verses 1-3: The nations are raging

Verses 4-6: God’s perspective

Verses 7-9: The Davidic covenant promise

Verses 10-12: Advice is given to the kings to obey the Lord’s anointed

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1.   When we look around in our world we see many people raging against the Lord.  Yet verse 1 tells us that they plot in vain.  Verse 4 tells us that God laughs at the rebels and declares His firm purpose to establish the throne of David.  Spend some time thanking and praising God that in Christ, we have the victory. 

2.   How does it make you feel to know that God has ultimate control over world affairs?  What does God promise to those who trust in the Son? (Verse 12). 

3.   Spend some time thanking God for His Sovereignty.  Pray that the Canadian Church would come to know the truth about His Sovereignty and develop a deep trust in God.

Foundations July 25, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Ezekiel 27,28

The Temple

Read: Psalm 84

Today’s Psalm celebrates the people’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem so they can worship at the temple.  As you read the Psalm you can sense the writers longing for communion and his love for God’s house.  He believed that one day of worship gave more satisfaction than a thousand days spent elsewhere.  There are a lot of pleasurable things in our world, there is much to be enjoyed but these cannot compare to the delights of loving and serving God.  To feel His love, even just a glimpse of Him is better than ages of worldly pleasures.  The Psalmist said that he would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord then dwell in the tents of wickedness.  The doorkeeper is the “lowest” position in God’s house but even that is better than the highest position among the godless.  God’s worst is better than the devil’s best.  God’s doorstep is better than the luxuries of sinners.  Do you sense the sweetness of walking with God?  Verse 12 gives us the key of the psalm – its trust.  This is the only path to really knowing God.  A person must know the Lord by a life of real faith and by living a life of trusting God.  It is then when true worship and praise comes forth. 

Overview:

Verses 1-4: Blessing for those who meet with God

Verses 5-9: Meeting with God is a journey

Verses 10-12: Blessing for those who trust in the Lord. 

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1.   Ask the Lord to grow in your heart a deeper longing for communion with God, to really know Him on an intimate level.

2.   What are a few of the pleasurable things in your life?  Do you trust that pursuing God can provide you with more pleasure? 

3.   Pray that the church would be strengthened in knowing the Lord by living lives of real faith and trusting Him.  Pray that this would lead to more authentic worship and praise of Him.