All Scriptures are from The Message Version
It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate lots of thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm19.htm
One of the questions people have for those who profess a faith in God is about God’s presence; how is our life different because of our spirituality? And it is a question that we should ponder for ourselves, are we really tapping into the power of God’s spirit that is present with us? Psalm 19 is a reflection on that presence and the impact of being in touch with it. It is worth reading and contemplating on during this Lenten season – someone might ask us – or we might need reminding ourselves. The psalm begins with some reflections on the presence:
1-2 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
3-4 Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded,
But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
4-5 God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun's a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.
6 That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
• How does the psalmist sense God’s glory, what does he cite and what words would you use to describe the nature, the effect and the characteristics of God that you find in his words?
• Madame Day and Professor Night are here to teach us, how do they instruct us? How might silence fill and the unspoken be spoken? Can you relate to a finding a sense of God’s presence in creation, the world that we live in each day? What reminders come to us as we experience the 24 hour cycle if we take time to pay attention?
• One of our reminders is the impact of the sun on our world each day. What image is the psalmist trying to give us of the sun, what is it compared to? How does the sun impact your life, how would you describe it?
• God’s Word or the Torah is compared to the sun, again what characteristics is the psalmist giving to written words? Is Torah passive or active? How do you feel about scripture, has it melted ice, scorched, or warmed your and others faith? What gives scripture power; what makes it alive for you?
The psalmist now speaks to some of the power that can flow into our faith lives whether through Torah (scripture) or through our daily relationship with God:
7-9 The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.
God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.
• The psalmist speaks of the revelation, signposts and life-maps of God; where might we find these things? The immediate response might be scripture but what about the word of others, prayer, a spiritual retreat, reading a commentary or even the words of a hymn? Think of a time when you felt that you received support and strength, direction in your life or joy; what was the spark for that experience?
• The psalmist tells us that the directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes, would you agree with him? What do you find to be clear and easy to understand about our faith life? Where did this clarity come from, was it simple logic or something else?
• But is everything so very clear after all, do you have questions and search for answers? Where do you turn to receive clarity, will it ever all be clear to us? I recommend reading John chapters 14-16 for some spiritual tools for bring more clarity to our lives. An example for me is John 14:25-26:
"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.
• What does the psalmist say we can count on from God, what do you count on from God?
The psalmist continues with more words of praise for Torah (scripture) from which he has gained so much:
10 God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.
11-14 There's more: God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
• What are some analogies he makes for scripture and what images do they make in your mind? Can you make some of your own analogies; how has scripture benefited you on your faith journey? How would you describe it?
• In the last section he speaks of the specific, practical benefits of using scripture to live his life. Are there specific scriptures you feel have impacted the way you live your life, established important values, given you an understanding of what it means to be a person of faith? Take time to contemplate an maybe re-look at them now.
• Do you find God’s presence in scripture? How is your relationship with God sustained and grown through your reading of scripture?
• The search for a stronger bond with God never ends, what are some ways that you might increase your sense of God’s presence during this Lenten season? Consider making some suggestions in the comment box below.
Closing Prayer
Now into the keeping of God I put
All things of today
All disappointments
Hindrances
Forgotten things
All gladness and beauty
Love
Delight
Achievement
All that people have done for me
All that I have done for them
My work and my prayers
And I commit all the people I love
To His Shepherding
To His healing and restoration
To his calling and making
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen
Margarette Cropper, The Oxford Book of Prayer
Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21
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