Prophet’s
Reading Plan: Hosea
1-5
The Nature of Man: On
the Mountain
Read Psalm 146
The worshipper who writes this song is on a mountain, a
spiritual high. He is full of joyful praise, urging those around him to put
their trust in his God, too. He is not in a place of doubt or anxiety or fear
or loneliness; he is not crying out to God for help and freedom from despair;
he is rejoicing in the works of the Lord, that he clearly knows from experience.
These mountaintop experiences are important to have.
These times where we feel so close to God and so blown away by His character
are essential refueling times in our walk with the Lord. It is often in these
times that God reveals the truths about His character that we will need to
cling to when we are in the valley.
Verse 10 tells us “The
LORD reigns forever”. God’s worthiness has nothing to do with whether or
not we like what He is doing; it has everything to do with who He is. Whether
we praise the Lord or curse Him does nothing to affect His worthiness of
praise. He is worthy of praise and He will receive eternal praise whether or
not we participate. So whether on the mountain or in the valley, let’s remember
first and foremost who He is, and
this will always speak to our circumstances.
Overview
Verses 1-2: I
will praise the Lord
Verses 3-4: The
foolishness of trusting man
Verses 5-10: Hope
found in Yahweh
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1) What do you think it means to put your
trust in men (vv 3-4) as opposed to putting your trust in God? When have you
chosen man over God? When have you chosen God over man?
2) What does God do for 1) the oppressed,
2) the hungry, 3) the prisoner, 4) the blind, 5) the bowed down, 6) the
righteous, 7) the alien, 8) the fatherless and widow, and 8) the wicked? Think
about what this tells you about God. Which impacts you most deeply?
3) Do you like everything that God is
doing/allowing in your life right now? Ask Him what He wants you to remember
from a mountaintop experience in order to keep you praising Him.
