Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Psalm 109:21-27 KJV
21 But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy [is] good, deliver thou me. 22 For I [am] poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. 23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness. 25 I became also a reproach unto them: [when] they looked upon me they shaked their heads. 26 Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy: 27 That they may know that this [is] thy hand; [that] thou, LORD, hast done it.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) In this psalm, David asks the Lord to judge his accusers, what does he ask of the Lord? Why? (v.21-25)
2) What does David ask of the Lord for himself? (v.26-27)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) Have you ever asked the Lord to judge your adversaries? If so, why?
4) How have you reacted when your opponents experienced difficult times in their lives? Why?
5) What doors have you unwittingly opened to the enemy, in the lives of your spiritual brothers and sisters, because of your unforgiveness?
LIFE LESSONS
6) The Lord vindicates His people. His people are those who live in His love, even for our enemies.
7) As believers, we are to forgive and pray for those who mistreat, or otherwise oppose, us.
8) When we react in unforgiveness and/or bitterness toward others, we open doors to the accuser to wreak havoc in their lives.
9) We will always reap what we sow in this life. To reap kindness, sow kindness.
10) The Lord often chastens His children by withdrawing His hand of loving protection from us to allow the enemy to wreak havoc in our lives.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Lev 26:22-33 KJV
22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your [high] ways shall be desolate. 23 And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; 24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. 25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of [my] covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26 [And] when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver [you] your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. 27 And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. 30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. 31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. 32 And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. 33 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The Lord God told His people what would happen to them if they walked contrary to Him or disobeyed Him. What did the Lord say that He would do if His people rebelled against Him? How would this affect their families and their property? (v.22)
2) What twelve things did the Lord God say would happen if His people refused to repent and do as He commanded them to do? (v.23-33)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) Have you ever experienced progressively difficult hardships or troubles in your life? If so, please describe the most recent difficulty?
4) What do you typically do when you are inundated with difficulties in life?
5) Have you ever considered that your troubles may be the result of your disobedience to the Lord's commands? If not, why not.
LIFE LESSONS
6) The Lord chastens his children when we do not obey His commands because He wants what is best for us.
7) When we refuse to repent, the Lord's chastening becomes increasingly more punitive and progressively more severe.
8) A genuine change of heart that leads to obedience is the only acceptable sacrifice of the rebellious when facing the wrath of Almighty God.
