Point of Grace Online Worship 9.6.20

Sermon Notes - “Psalms – Ancient Prayers for Unprecedented Times! - Psalm 142, 145”

Jesus, what are you showing me through this Psalm journey?

“No matter where I am,

the Psalms

Lead me where I need to be!”

Sometimes my starting point is not a very pretty place!

The Psalms run the gamut from extreme Lament to extreme Praise and everything in between!

LAMENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRAISE

“No matter where I am,

the Psalms

Lead me where I need to be!”

Where do I need to be?

Psalm 27 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 34 22 The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 42 5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 51 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 95 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Sometimes the Psalm uses blinkers, sometimes brakes, sometimes accelerators … to lead me where I need to be!

Psalm 142 A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.

1 I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. 2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.

3 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.

5 I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Psalm 145 1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

“No matter where I am,

the Psalms

Lead me where I need to be!”

Homework: Read and pray a Psalm each day!

Two suggestions:

- Live a while with the Psalms we have covered 27, 34, 42, 51, 95, 103, 136!

- Live with a Psalm a day according to the day of the month. Cover the psalms in 5 months!

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Join in through Facebook Live or go to www.pog.church/live to view.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

These resources which will help you “Pray a Psalm a Day” this week from those we covered in this series.

Since this is the last week in our series on the Psalms, we can return to at least one Psalm a day this week. I encourage you to read the designated Psalm every day and then take some additional focus time to reread and meditate what grabs your attention that day. Remember, No matter where I am the Psalm will lead me where I need to be. Repetition is your friend. Remember you are not necessarily looking for new information from the Psalm once you understand it. These Psalms are a great opportunity to begin journaling if you do not. Making written note of what God brings to your mind is a great way to begin journaling. I don’t do it every day but it is always a blessing when I do. If the schedule below is helpful, great, use it. If not, then work through the Psalm at your own pace. We covered all or part of 9 Psalms in the series! Enjoy as you recall what you have learned and hear the fresh voice of God each day.

Mon – Psalm 27 and Psalm 34 Tue – Psalm 42 Wed – Psalm 51 Thu – Psalm 95 and Psalm 103 Fri – Psalm 136 Sat - Psalm 142 and Psalm 145

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Recommended Titles and Resources

Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller excellent daily devotional based on the Psalms

The “One Minute Pause” App by Wild at Heart – Look in your app store. (use is multiple times every day)

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

Restoration Year by John Eldredge – A 365 Day Devotional - These daily devotions are excellent encouragement to live by the Spirit each day.

Check out bibleproject.com. Look for their videos on the Psalms.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Devotional Book)