Day 11
Today's Scripture:
Psalm 19:1-14
Key Verse:
Psalm 19:8
"The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:"
The Point:
A Thriving Heart Rejoices in the Statutes of the LORD!
You have probably heard that joy and happiness are not the same thing. Here is a quick series of questions to illustrate the difference.
- Is it possible to have joy and be unhappy?
- Is it possible to have joy and be suffering?
- Is it possible to be hopeless and be happy?
- Is it possible to be hopeless and prosperous?
True joy, Biblical joy, is a gift from God provided through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Biblical joy is divine well-being that is based on faith in Jesus Christ and the hope (a desired expectation that will be fulfilled based on the promises of God) given to us as part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). There is an essential and unmistakable connection between the statutes of the LORD and the fruit of the Spirit!
Here is a way to think about the connection between the statutes of the LORD and the joy aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. The statutes of the LORD encompass all of the laws, decrees, principles, promises and commands God has given for us to know Him and live according to His will. If we know Jesus as our personal savior and earnestly submit to His Holy Spirit to live according to His will and plan for our lives (as described in His statutes) the indwelling Holy Spirit will fill our minds with hope and our hearts with joy! That is hope and joy that our daily circumstances cannot and will not overcome!!
Today's Scripture (Psalm 19:1-14) was written by David and it begins with David's praise for how God revealed himself through creation, especially the magnificence of the heavens, sun, moon, and earth. David then praises God for His perfect law, sure testimony, the righteousness in His statutes, and the purity of His commandments. David goes on to describe the many benefits of knowing and following God's Word!
Study Today's Scripture for a few minutes and complete the items below:
- Look carefully at Psalm 19:1-3, who is aware of the evidence about God's creation?
- In Psalm 19:4-6, David personifies the sun as a bridegroom, just as every person who ever lived, is living now, or will ever live will experience the heat of the sun, what else will all experience based on this personification?
- Review Psalm 19:7-9 and fill in the blanks below; then meditate for a few moments on each benefit described:
- The law of the LORD is perfect, ______________ the soul
- The testimony of the LORD is sure, making ______ the simple
- The statutes of the LORD are right, ____________ the heart
- The commandment of the LORD is pure, ___________ the eyes
- The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring _____ _______
- The judgments of the LORD are true and __________ altogether
- How great should our desire be for the benefits described above (see Psalm 19:10)?
- Now consider the day-to-day outcomes of practicing the principles expressed in the Psalm thus far:
- I will be ___________ (verse 11)
- I will enjoy a great ________ (verse 11)
- I will understand my ________ (verse 12)
- I will be clean from my ________ ________ (verse 12)
- I will be restrained from ________________ sins (verse 13)
- Presumptuous sins will not have _______ over me (verse 13)
- I will be __________ (verse 13)
- I will be ____________ of the great transgression (verse 13)
- David closes with a simple prayer about his words and thoughts (meditations); pray the same prayer!
Prayer Time
Confess and Forsake Any Known Sin:
Probing Questions:
- What thoughts did the Holy Spirit raise in your mind as you studied and meditated through Psalm 19?
- How strong is your desire for God's Word today and every day? Is it your top priority in how you allocate your time?
- Are you able to truly experience the benefits described in verses 7-9?
- Think about how your days have gone recently, are you able to honestly thank God for warning you about sin, experiencing the reward of His abiding presence, having complete understanding of your errors, being cleansed from those secret faults, holding you back from presuming on God's grace, enjoying uprightness and innocence anew?
- Have you experienced true joy in the statutes of the LORD?
Worship:
- There is much to worship God about in Psalm 19, choose one thing God has called to your attention today and reverence Him for making you aware of His Greatness, Glory, and Holiness!
Praise:
- Take a moment tonight (hopefully you will have a clear sky), step outside, look into the heavens and Praise God for His creation!
- Reflect for a few minutes on God's provision for you in His law, testimony, statutes, and commandments and Thank Him for saving your soul, preserving your life, and your home in heaven!
Confession:
- How did you respond to the idea you should desire God's Word more than gold (wealth) and honey (physical enjoyment)? If you aren't satisfied with your answer, repent of setting the wrong priorities, seek forgiveness, and make a commitment to change your priorities tomorrow and every day after that!
- Have the burdens or circumstances of life overwhelmed your ability to find joy (true joy, not happiness) in God's Word and presence? Confess to Him you have allowed the wrong things to take God's place on the throne of your heart, repent, and make a new commitment to use Psalm 19 and other passages that call us to worship Him above all things!
Intercessory Prayers:
- Pray for the friend, neighbor, family member who demonstrates they are overcome by the circumstances of life, ask God to show them the truth they are missing in Psalm 19.
- Just simply ask God to use today's prayer challenge to encourage someone you know.
Petitions:
- The battle to prioritize our day and spend time with God is ongoing, there are times when good and reasonable things will consume a day, ask God to remind you to stop the pace and meet with Him so you can be renewed for the next day.
- If all of this seems beyond reach, just ask God to help you learn how to rejoice in his statutes! Ask in faith, believing He will answer!
Action:
If you quickly identified a friend, neighbor, or family member who is overwhelmed by the circumstances of life and God convicts you about their need, see if you can encourage them to gain the benefits you have from Psalm 19! Note: the approach for a lost person and a saved person will be different.