David's Trust

Patiently Awaiting

 

David offers us another example of an Old Testament believer who endured a great deal of trouble and hardship while still trusting God. His father-in-law, King Saul, tried to kill him on several different occasions, yet he refused to take vengeance (see 1 Samuel 19 and 23; compare 1 Samuel 24 and 26). Later, even one of his own sons plotted against him and nearly succeeded in murdering him (2 Samuel 15). Throughout his reign, David faced enemies within his own family and country and many from outside as well. In several psalms David turns to the Lord for mercy. In Psalm 86, the center verse (v.9) sets forth the theme of God's salvation for all people. This is the purpose of God's patience with sinners. God delays His wrath so that His plan of salvation in Christ Jesus might be accomplished and people from all nations, not just Israel, will come and worship Him.

Does David depend on his own good works as a basis for seeking God's help in this psalm?

David seems to think that an attack on him is an attack on God. Why would he think this (v.14)?

How does God show His compassion, mercy, love, and faithfulness in being longsuffering (slow to anger)?

The Children of Israel

Patiently Awaiting

Parents might talk about how a strong-willed or mischievous child "tests" their patience. In that context, the child rebels against the parent, who then must figure out the appropriate response. Imagine you have told your child to stay away from the cookies jar until after dinner. Behind your back, she disobeys you. When you find her, how do you respond? If you do nothing, she will lose her respect for you. If you react in anger, you might punish her too harshly. Keep this scenario in mind as you read Exodus 32 and discuss the following questions.

* In Exodus 34:1, God refers to a previous set of stone tablets on which He had written the Ten Commandments. What happened to them (See Exodus 32:1-19).

* What did God propose to do to His people in response to the great sin in Exodus 32? Why didn't God do it?

* How did God discipline them? (See Exodus 32:19-29;35.)

* What does Moses do that gives us an early picture of the cross of Christ? (See Exodus 32:30-34)

Now read Exodus 34:1-7. The Lord "unpacks" His name for Moses in verses 6 and 7.
* What do we learn about the Lord in these verses?

* Compare several translations of verse 6 with one another. How do they differ?

* Discuss the justice (righteousness) of God and the mercy (grace) of God in light of Exodus 34:7 and Exodus 20:3-6.

Patently Awaiting

Lord, please give me patience . . . and give it to me right now! (Anonymous)

Paul lists patience as one of the precious gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life. Like the other fruit of faith, patience grows from our relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. We will turn to the Old Testament to learn something about the patience of God and then, in the New Testament, examine patience in the lives of God's people. Our study will conclude by exploring what the Bible teaches about the patience God gives through His Son.

Patience for one person may be considered impatience by another. What might Paul have in mind
when he includes patience among the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

PEACE

The God of Peace and the Peace of God

This section introduces the "ministry of reconciliation" entrusted to the church by Jesus (Paul's terminology in 2 Corinthians 5:18). As Christians spread the Gospel, they bring peace to people mired in a spiritual war. Jesus calls believers "peacemakers" in Mathew 5:9 and refers to them as "sons of God," a Semitic way of saying that they share the qualities or characteristics of the God of peace.

Genesis 3:15 records the first Gospel promise of a Savior. New Testament authors never cite this passage, but it is easy for Christians to see a strong reference to the coming cross--- apparent defeat followed by joyful victory over sin, Satan, and death. God reconciled the world to Himself at the cross, and Jesus commissions His church to spread that word of reconciliation and peace.

A woman (the people of God), a red dragon (Satan), a male child (Jesus), God, the archangel Michael and his angels.
They overcome Satan by the blood of Christ (the Lamb) and by the Word. Note that they still faced death. Their victory is spiritual security but not necessarily physical security.

We enjoy peace with God through the Gospel. However, Satan will not make peace. In fact, he rages all the more against the people of God.

Real peace comes from God alone, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus and has made us "the righteousness of God." Through us God makes His appeal to the world, calling all people to reconciliation and peace.

The Beginning of Peace

PEACE WITHOUT END

Peace is such a great, yet elusive blessing. People will try anything from medication to meditation in order to experience peace. But peace is much more than something we experience. It is a gift from  God, a gift the church can enjoy now and for all eternity.

Can you name some things people turn to in their quest for peace? Who is behind man-made promises of peace?

Luke records a powerful story about sin, forgiveness, and peace in his Gospel.

Read John 1:24-25 and Luke 7:36-39.

• Why do you think Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner?
• What unusual things did the unnamed woman do?

Read Luke 7:40-50.

• What does Jesus mean by the last words He speaks in this story (v.50)?
• How has He fulfilled the promise of these words?

 

Joy in Service (Ecclesiastes 11-12)

JOY EVERLASTING

Because Christ will return to grant you the fullness of His salvation, you can face each new day in joy. Like a child who joyfully counts down the days to Christmas, we joyfully count each day as one step closer to the fullness of our salvation in Christ. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

We do not live in a vacuum, nor do we experience joy as a purely abstract concept, God created us to work, serving Him throughout our lives, (see Geneses 2:15). God warns His people about failing to serve Him gladly and willingly (Deuteronomy 28:47), yet the experiences of our lives often make it difficult to serve the Lord joyfully. How often we struggle to find the joy in our service when the responsibilities pile up and complaints come in! Read Ecclesiastes 11-12 and answer the following:

·         How does the author describe life in Ecclesiastes 11:1-6?

·         Read Ecclesiastes 11:7-10. What are the advantages and the dangers of youth?

·         Read Ecclesiastes 12:1-8. What are the burdens and disadvantages of age?

·         According to Ecclesiastes 12:9-14, what is the key to meaning in life?

As we will see more clearly in the New Testament, joy looks forward with great expectation and eagerness to the glorious arrival of the Messiah, while remaining firmly anchored in the Lord’s gracious work and clear promises in the past.