BIG IDEA
We worship to remember what God has done.
MESSAGE NOTES:
WHAT:
Last week, we started a new series where we're exploring a book of the Bible called the Book of Psalms. This book is a collection of songs, rhymes, and rhythms written by and for the nation of Israel. Just like we use songs to remind us of important things, the writers of the Psalms did this too. They wrote down some of the things God had done for them so that when times were tough, it would be easy to trust God, even if things were looking bleak.
SO WHAT:
I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. 2 Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! 3 Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave[a] overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Please, Lord, save me!” 5 How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! 6 The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. 7 Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. 8 He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. 9 And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth! 10 I believed in you, so I said, “I am deeply troubled, Lord.” 11 In my anxiety I cried out to you, “These people are all liars!” 12 What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me. 14 I will keep my promises to the Lord in the presence of all his people. 15 The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die. 16 O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains. 17 I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. 18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people—
19 in the house of the Lord in the heart of Jerusalem.Praise the Lord! Psalm 116
Just as God's plan to save the world through Jesus was coming to pass, Jesus Himself was singing songs of remembrance that God is a God who saves. God created humans to be in relationship with God, but because of sin, those relationships were broken. But God's people were promised that there would be a permanent solution to this brokenness and that there would one day be a way for this relationship to be made right. This solution came through Jesus.
NOW WHAT:
Just like Jesus remembered the words of the psalmist, and the psalmists remembered the incredible things God had done, we're called to remember as well. We may not always be good at remembering details, but we can learn to remember the stories of God's goodness and praise God for them. Those songs we find in the book of Psalms are worth remembering (and new songs are still worth writing) because we worship to remember what God has done.
This week, I want to challenge you to write your own psalm that is specific to your life, using the pattern we identified from Psalms 120-134.
Start by identifying a struggle or challenge that you or your community faced.
Think about how you called out to God and how God responded during that time. Sometimes we can see how God was at work more easily when we look back!
When we trust God, God helps us. Identify how trusting in God helped in that circumstance and what you've learned about trusting God.
Think about the ways and reasons God is deserving of praise based on your specific circumstance from the first step.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Q1: Do you ever use a song or rhyme to help you remember something important? If so, what is it?
Q2: Why do you think we need so many reminders about who God is or what God has done?
Q3: What's something God has done for you or someone you love that you never want to forget?
Q4: Read Deuteronomy 6:10-12. What's something God has rescued you from?
Q5: This week, what's one way you're going to practice remembering what God has done for you?