Matthew 16:13-20

WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?

 Keywords 16:15

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

 

1. Jesus is many things to many people. A possible poll today might include: A great spiritual leader, the Messiah, God himself, or even a hippie Jew.

 

2. While we spend a lot of time maintaining and worrying about our public image, it is the person who we share our personal life with that really knows us best. For Jesus, Peter was one of those people. Peter encountered Jesus when Jesus told him to let his net down for a miraculous catch of fish after a failed night of fishing. Peter was given a new hope when Jesus called him to fish for people. After this, he could not but say, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

 

3. Even as Christians, sometimes we only know Jesus as we are expected to know him. But Jesus wants us to know him as God knows who we truly are and loves us. We can do that when we open our heart and life to him and experience his truly life-giving Spirit in our own life. It is God who speaks into our own hearts who Jesus is to us. If we let him, he can save us from whatever failure, shame, or sin we find ourselves in.

 

Prayer Lord, I want to experience your grace on my life and struggle. I want to know your power to heal and transform me.

One Word Who is Jesus to you?

Psalms 56:1-13

IN GOD I TRUST AND AM NOT AFRAID

Keywords 56:3-4

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

 

1. David’s time in Gath is recorded in 1Sa. 21:11-15. David fled from Saul and hid in the enemy territory where he was recognized as Israel’s hero. He had to pretend madness to escape the Philistine king’s condemnation. Wherever he turned, he was surrounded by enemies who wanted to take his life. At the time of dread, David decided to trust God and praised his words (3-4). By holding onto the word of God’s promise and protection, he could overcome his fear.

 

2. David trusted that God was merciful and cared about his sorrow. Can you imagine a mother blotting her child’s tears drop by drop, recognizing his misery? That was the image of God David saw as he asked him to list his tears (8).

 

3. As David remembered God’s mercy through his words, David knew he was not miserably alone and had an assurance of God’s protection. With hope, he looked ahead to the day when he would walk before God in the light of life (13). What is the picture you have when you think of your hope in God?

 

Prayer Father, thank you for guiding me faithfully according to your promise. I find my hope and peace when I turn to you.

One Word In God, I am not afraid

Psalms 55:1-23

 Cast Your Cares On the LORD

 Keywords 55:22

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

 

1. David shows his desperation as he pleads with God. He repeats his request in four different words in verses 1 and 2; listen, do not ignore, hear, and answer me. His heart sinks when he thinks of enemies who surround him with their superior force. David’s wish to fly away like a dove to escape his enemies (6-8) is similar to his expression in 1Sa 26:20 when he was cornered in the desert of Ziph by Saul and his troops.

 

2. In verses 12-14, David speaks his mind to his enemies who had been his dear friends. Dealing with enemies who are full of insults may be endurable (12). However, the pain David experiences from dealing with enemies who were once close friends are nearly indescribable. Being chased by Saul and his troops without having done anything wrong pained him greatly.

 

3. As David pours out his heart to the LORD who saves him, bringing all his burden before him (16-21), he finds a new direction to cast his care upon the LORD (22), the one who does not allow the righteous to be shaken and brings down the wicked (23). Our comfort comes from remembering God’s character and his faithfulness.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for being my anchor when I am hurt and confused. Help me to fix my eyes on you to find comfort.

One Word Cast my cares on the LORD

 

 

Psalms 54:1-7

 God Is My Help

 Keywords 54:4

 

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

 

1. David pleads with God to save him by his name. David’s intention becomes

clear as he asks God to vindicate him from the accusation of his enemies who did

not have any regard for God (3). By hearing David’s prayer and saving him from

the enemies’ attack, God would display His might and uphold His name.

 

2. David’s confidence is based on his relationship with God. He calls God his

‘help’ and the one who sustains him (4). He relies on God’s faithfulness. He trusts

in God’s unchanging character to destroy his enemies. What is a name that you

call God personally? Eternal Father? Best Friend? The Comforter? The Provider?

In times of discouragement, we can find confidence by calling his name that is

known to us intimately.

 

3. As David gains confidence, he sees hope for the future (6-7). David does not

know when and how, but he knows that God will surely deliver him from his

troubles. And David would give thanks and praise to the Lord. David has a clear

vision of the day when God’s name will be exalted and vindicated as an answer to

his prayer.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for being my good shepherd. I fear no evil when I am

with you. Please help me not to deviate but grow in my relationship with

you to overcome troubles.

One Word Surely God is my help

 

Psalms 53:1-6

NO ONE DOES GOOD, NOT EVEN ONE

 

Keywords 53:6

 

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

 

1. To be a fool is not related to a person’s education level but one’s heart’s attitude toward God. Fools say in their hearts that there is no God. As a result, fools are corrupt and vile.

 

2. Who specifically is a fool? According to this Psalm, everyone! God looks on mankind to see if there is anyone who seeks him. But no one seeks him. Everyone has turned away from God and has become corrupt. We can compare ourselves with others and deceive ourselves into feeling we are “good”. However, before God, there is not even one person who does good. Without God, we are evildoers who devour other people for personal gain. We are also overwhelmed with dread because of God’s certain judgment. Romans 3:10-12 quote this Psalm to show that all are under the power of sin. Do you see yourself in this Psalm or do you only apply this to others?

 

3. Seeing the spiritual condition of all mankind, the author longs for salvation for Israel to come out of Zion. Salvation has come through Jesus. Though we are sinners from the deepest part of our hearts, salvation is available to us when we repent and believe in Jesus. Praise God for salvation in Christ!

 

Prayer Father, I was a fool who did not recognize you and still I am a sinner. But thank you for saving me from my sins through Jesus.

One Word Salvation has come out of Zion!

 

Psalms 52:1-9

TRUST IN GOD’S UNFAILING LOVE FOREVER

 

Keywords 52:8

 

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

 

1. David contrasts two kinds of people: those who trust in themselves and grow

strong by destroying others and those who always trust in God’s love. Doeg the

Edomite was the former. When David was running for his life from Saul, Doeg

betrayed David’s helper, Ahimelek the priest, to Saul. At Saul’s order, Doeg

slaughtered the priest and his family (1 Sa 22). Doeg boasted of his evil deeds.

He took advantage of situations and destroyed people to advance himself in the

world.

 

2. David does not respond with fear or despair. He trusts God. God brings justice.

God brings people like Doeg to everlasting ruin. Whatever they trusted in will be

snatched away. The righteous will see what happens to those who do not trust

God.

 

3. Most importantly, anyone who trusts God’s unfailing love will be like a fruitful

olive tree in the house of God. When face-to-face with evil and godless people,

David decided to trust in God’s justice, unfailing love and to hope in him. He

decided to praise God for all he has done. No matter our situation, let us also trust

in God’s unfailing love for us and put our full hope in him.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for your unfailing love for us. Help me not to trust in

myself or the things I possess but to trust only you in every situation.

One Word Who will you trust this day?

Psalms 51:1-19

REPENTANCE AND RESTORATION

 

Keywords 51:10

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

 

1. David was filled with regret after Nathan confronted him about his sin of

adultery and murder (1 Sa 12). David’s heinous sins could not be reversed or

taken away by any human action. Sin is more than an immoral act committed in

a moment in time. As David confessed, sin is deep in our human nature, present

even at conception (5). Though we are born with sin, we cannot excuse ourselves

from sin. God still desires faithfulness to him from us (6).

 

2. To whom do you turn when you are made aware of your sin? David cried out to

God for his mercy. He depended on God’s unchanging character – his unfailing

love, his great compassion, and his desire to cleanse us from sin. Only God

could wash David, make him whiter than snow, and deliver him from his guilt of

bloodshed. God made cleansing from sin available to everyone through Jesus

Christ. Turn to Jesus in repentance and he will cleanse you from your sins.

 

3. David also asked God to create in him a pure heart and for the Holy Spirit. He

longed for God’s presence. He prayed for a restored relationship with God. Then

he would sing praise to God and teach others to also turn back to God.

 

Prayer Father, I am a sinner, but I praise you for forgiveness of sins and

restoration in Jesus. Create in me a pure heart and restore the joy of your

salvation. Help me to lead others to Jesus.

 

One Word Create in me a pure heart