Sabbath Afternoon - January 6, 2024
Scripture Reading for the Week:
Psalms 105:5; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13; Psalms 44:1-26; Psalms 22:1-31; Psalms 13:1-6; Psalms 60:1-5.
Meditation Thought:
Lord, teach us to pray. Luke 11:1.
Christ did not give this prayer [the Lord's Prayer, Luke 11:2-4] for men to repeat as a form. He gave it as an illustration of what our prayers should be--simple, earnest, and comprehensive. {OHC 130.2}
Many prayers are offered without faith. A set form of words is used, but there is no real importunity. These prayers are doubtful, hesitating; they bring no relief to those who offer them, and no comfort or hope to others. The form of prayer is used, but the spirit is wanting, showing that the petitioner does not feel his need. . . . {OHC 130.3}
Memory Text:
“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples’ ” (Luke 11:1).
This week's SSLesson will describe how the Psalms be used in prayer. This includes traceable principles that were placed in the chapters that are considered in this lesson.
Study Outline:
Sunday - January 7, 2024
Fostering the Use of the Psalms in Prayer - Pray using Psalms (James 5:13).
Psalms 105:5; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13; Psalms 1:1-6.
Monday - January 8, 2024
Trust in Times of Trouble - Pray in difficult times (Psalm 44).
Tuesday - January 9, 2024
A Psalm of Despair - Pray in times of despair (Psalm 22).
Psalms 22:1-31; Matthew 27:46.
Wednesday - January 10, 2024
From Despair to Hope - Pray between doubt and hope (Psalm 13).
Thursday - January 11, 2024
Oh, Restore Us Again - Pray for restoration (Psalm 60).
Friday - January 12, 2024
Insights and Further Study
From the Pen of Inspiration
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday - January 7, 2024
Fostering the Use of the Psalms in Prayer - Pray using Psalms (James 5:13).
Psalms 105:5; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13; Psalms 1:1-6.
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms” (James 5:13)
THE PRACTICE OF DAILY PRAYER IS NOT TO BE FOLLOWED HAPHAZARDLY
Family worship should not be governed by circumstances. You are not to pray occasionally and, when you have a large day’s work to do, neglect it. In thus doing you lead your children to look upon prayer as of no special consequence. Prayer means very much to the children of God, and thank offerings should come up before God morning and evening. Says the psalmist, “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.” {Pr 164.3}
A Consistent Religious Service at Home with Songs and Prayer
The religious service of the home should not be governed by circumstances. Prayer should not be offered occasionally, and, when a large day's work is to be done, neglected, as though it was of no special consequence. Prayer means very much, and we should come to God offering up thanksgiving before him. "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. . . . O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness." {ST, September 10, 1894 par. 2}
Sacrifices of God: A Broken Spirit, A Broken, and a Contrite Heart
Let the prayer in faith go up to God, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. . . . O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise. For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise" [Psalms 51:1, 2, 10-13, 15-17]. {15MR 102.1}
Consider the Following
Each Psalm is a prayer to God that should be used according to the needs of the moment: to lament; to give thanks; To
ask for forgiveness; to seek divine direction; to remember history; to praise; to show anger...
How can we use the Psalms as prayers?
— Read the psalm and pray
— Observe the way the psalmist addresses God
— Discover the reasons for his prayer
— Compare your situation with the psalmist's experience
— Think about how the psalm can help you express your feelings to God.
— If there is something in the psalm that challenges you, reflect on it
— Relate the psalm to Jesus and his work of salvation
— Ask God to put his Word in your heart and mind
Monday - January 8, 2024
Trust in Times of Trouble - Pray in difficult times (Psalm 44).
“Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter” (Psalm 44:22)
Psalm 44 is a poignant expression of faith and national identity. The Psalmist reflects upon God's historic deliverance of Israel, juxtaposed with their present suffering. The psalm speaks of the nation of Israel in a season of great defeat, calling out to God for rescue. It implies that Israel was recovering from an especially embarrassing defeat, possibly at the hands of Edom.
Fellowshipping with Others, Meet Together for Prayer and Encouragement
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." It is the privilege of everyone to be ready and willing to help those in need of help. Meet together for prayer and mutual encouragement. Let your hearts be bound together by one common interest -- the saving of souls. Let your words be well chosen. In the place of speaking foolishly and unwisely, speak words that are a savor of life unto life, even life eternal; "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." {GH, April 16, 1902 par. 7}
Looking to Jesus and Learning to Endure, to Forbear, and to Forgive
"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee." Psalm 9:9, 10. The compassion that God manifests toward us, He bids us manifest toward others. Let the impulsive, the self-sufficient, the revengeful, behold the meek and lowly One, led as a lamb to the slaughter, unretaliating as a sheep dumb before her shearers. Let them look upon Him whom our sins have pierced and our sorrows burdened, and they will learn to endure, to forbear, and to forgive. {Ed 257.3, 4}
Through faith in Christ, every deficiency of character may be supplied, every defilement cleansed, every fault corrected, every excellence developed. {Ed 257.5}
"Ye are complete in Him." Colossians 2:10. {Ed 257.6}
Consider the Following
Do you feel that God treats you unfairly by allowing you to experience difficult situations that you do not deserve?
Maybe yes, or maybe not. But, if so, would you express it in a prayer, whether public or private?
The psalmist did not hesitate to do so. The people of Israel were being plundered, exiled and murdered. And they had done nothing to deserve it! They had not turned away from God nor sinned against Him (Ps. 44:9-19).
We should feel free to express our feelings and emotions to God in prayer. Let's present reality as we live it. Let us recognize that He can get us out of the most complex situations (Ps. 44:1-8), even if we do not understand why He does not do it now.
Above all, let us not doubt that, even in the midst of problems and difficulties, God is loving and merciful (Ps. 44:26).
Tuesday - January 9, 2024
A Psalm of Despair - Pray in times of despair (Psalm 22).
Psalms 22:1-31; Matthew 27:46.
“Be not far from Me, for trouble is near; For there is none to help” (Psalm 22:11)
The Joy of His Release from Fall, David Sang
David's repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his crime. No desire to escape the judgments threatened, inspired his prayer. But he saw the enormity of his transgression against God; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. David did not in despair give over the struggle. In the promises of God to repentant sinners he saw the evidence of his pardon and acceptance.
"For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:16, 17. {PP 725.2}
Though David had fallen, the Lord lifted him up. He was now more fully in harmony with God and in sympathy with his fellow men than before he fell. In the joy of his release he sang: See: Psalm 32:5-7. {PP 726.1}
Faithful Sentinels on Guard - None Need Despair
God will not appear as a tyrannical, relentless being, but as a father longing to embrace his repenting son. The sinner will cry with the psalmist, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him" (Psalm 103:13). All despair is swept from the soul when Christ is seen in His true character. {1SM 371.2}
None need despair because of the inherited tendencies to evil, but when the Spirit of God convicts of sin, the wrongdoer must repent and confess and forsake the evil. Faithful sentinels are on guard to direct souls in right paths (MS 8, 1900). {6BC 1120.3}
Consider the Following
Imagine Jesus praying with the words of Psalm 22:1, while his body hangs on the cross (Ps. 22:14); his hands and feet pierced (Ps. 22:16); surrounded by a threatening crowd (Ps. 22:7-8); observing the soldiers dividing his clothes (Ps. 22:18); thirsty, waiting for the moment of his death (Ps. 22:15); … desperate.
Your situation may not be as agonizing as that of Jesus, but you have surely felt, like Him, desperate at some point.
In those moments, Psalms teach us to pray, looking beyond our current situation, and see by faith the restoration of our lives. See by faith the moments in which we will return to praise God with joy and gladness (Ps. 22:25-26).
In times of despair, we can be sure that God hears us. He cares about our affliction and sees us, even though we do not see Him (Ps. 22:24)
Wednesday - January 10, 2024
From Despair to Hope - Pray between doubt and hope (Psalm 13).
“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?" (Psalm 13:1)
The Grace of God Enables Us to God Forward and Surmounting Difficulties
Courage, energy, and perseverance they must possess. Though apparent impossibilities obstruct their way, by His grace they are to go forward. Instead of deploring difficulties, they are called upon to surmount them. They are to despair nothing, and to hope for everything. With the golden chain of His matchless love, Christ had bound them to the throne of God. It is His purpose that the highest influence in the universe, emanating from the Source of all power, shall be theirs. They are to have power to resist evil, power that neither earth, nor death, nor hell can master, power that will enable them to overcome as Christ overcame. --Gospel Workers, p. 39. {ChS 235.2}
Christ Lifted Us from Despair and Ruin as He did to Mary
Mary had been looked upon as a great sinner, but Christ knew the circumstances that had shaped her life. He might have extinguished every spark of hope in her soul, but He did not. It was He who had lifted her from despair and ruin. Seven times she had heard His rebuke of the demons that controlled her heart and mind. She had heard His strong cries to the Father in her behalf. She knew how offensive is sin to His unsullied purity, and in His strength she had overcome. {DA 568.1}
Personal Gloom and Unbelief maybe Filled Our Heart like Thomas
When Jesus first met the disciples in the upper chamber, Thomas was not with them. He heard the reports of the others, and received abundant proof that Jesus had risen; but gloom and unbelief filled his heart. As he heard the disciples tell of the wonderful manifestations of the risen Saviour, it only plunged him in deeper despair. If Jesus had really risen from the dead, there could be no further hope of a literal earthly kingdom. And it wounded his vanity to think that his Master should reveal Himself to all the disciples except him. He was determined not to believe, and for a whole week he brooded over his wretchedness, which seemed all the darker in contrast with the hope and faith of his brethren. {DA 806.4}
In Times of Despair, Learn to Trust, to Depend Solely on Jesus
The powers of darkness gather about the soul and shut Jesus from our sight, and at times we can only wait in sorrow and amazement until the cloud passes over. These seasons are sometimes terrible. Hope seems to fail, and despair seizes upon us. In these dreadful hours we must learn to trust, to depend solely upon the merits of the atonement, and in all our helpless unworthiness cast ourselves upon the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour. We shall never perish while we do this--never! When light shines on our pathway, it is no great thing to be strong in the strength of grace. But to wait patiently in hope when clouds envelop us and all is dark, requires faith and submission which causes our will to be swallowed up in the will of God. We are too quickly discouraged, and earnestly cry for the trial to be removed from us, when we should plead for patience to endure and grace to overcome. {AG 114.2}
Consider the Following
Has God forgotten me? Sometimes, our perception is yes. The psalmist expressed it with great clarity. But he went
beyond the doubts and showed us his hope.
— Psalm 13:1-2. He rebukes God for his indifference toward him: “How long?”
— Psalm 13:3-4. He asks him to respond so that his enemies do not rejoice.
— Psalm 13:5. He shows his complete trust in God, and trusts in his salvation.
— Psalm 13:6. Finally, he breaks into songs of praise.
When in doubt, we must ask that the Spirit “enlighten our eyes,” that is, help us clear our doubts (Ps. 13:3).
Thursday - January 11, 2024
Oh, Restore Us Again - Pray for restoration (Psalm 60).
“That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and hear me” (Psalm 60:5)
Future Restoration of All Things, Health and Deliverance
"O daughter of Zion, . . . the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they His counsel." "Because they call thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after," "I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord." "I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places." Micah 4:10-12; Jeremiah 30:17, 18.
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us: This is the Lord; we have waited for Him, We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." {Ed 181.4}
"He will swallow up death in victory; . . . and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it." Isaiah 25:9, 8. {Ed 182.1}
"Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down. . . . For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king." Isaiah 33:20-22. {Ed 182.2}
Acknowledge Our Need of Pity and Forbearance from God and our Brethren
We learn from Bible history that men whom God had used to do a great and good work committed grave sins. The Lord did not pass these by unrebuked, neither did he cast off his servants. When they repented, he graciously forgave them, and revealed to them his presence, and wrought through them. Let poor, weak mortals consider how great is their own need of pity and forbearance from God and from their brethren. Let them beware how they judge and condemn others. We should give heed to the instruction of the apostle: "Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." We may fall under temptation, and need all the forbearance which we are called to exercise toward the offender. "With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." {ST, January 25, 1883 par. 15}
Consider the Following
Lamentation psalms – like 60 – are prayers expressed in moments of physical, psychological or spiritual pain (or all together).
They help us to be aware that suffering is part of the experience of both the just and the unjust.
They also help us understand that God is in control, and that He will deliver us at the right time (Ps. 60:5).
Our suffering helps us to be compassionate toward those who suffer, just like the psalmist who, seeing the world shaken, pleads with God: “heal his brokenness, because he wavers” (Ps. 60:2).
Above all, this psalm teaches us to fully trust in God (Ps. 60:11); to exalt Him before the world (Ps. 60:4); and to be instruments in his hands: “In God we will do mighty things” (Ps. 60:12)
Friday - January 12, 2024
Insights and Further Study
PRAY AT ALL TIMES
Cultivate the habit of talking with the Saviour when you are alone, when you are walking, and when you are busy with your daily labor. Let the heart be continually uplifted in silent petition for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. Let every breath be a prayer.—(Temperance, 135.) {Pr 179.3}
The way to the throne of God is always open. You cannot always be on your knees in prayer, but your silent petitions may constantly ascend to God for strength and guidance. When tempted, as you will be, you may flee to the secret place of the Most High. His everlasting arms will be underneath you.—(Counsels on Health, 362.) {Pr 179.4}
Questions to Ponder
In what way does the book of Psalms be utilized as part of the prayer in different areas?
How could the Psalms be a part of our worship experience?
Why is it important to read the Bible as part of Christian experiences?
How can our past experiences be drawn as a backup in dealing when troubled?
Why does God allow immediate trials to assail us, and how are we to trust His goodness?
When is the right time to use the Psalms as part of our prayers?
Based on the statement above, ({Pr 179.3, 4}, what principles are drawn by this passage with regards to prayer?
From the Pen of Inspiration
“Darkness and discouragement will sometimes come upon the soul, and threaten to overwhelm us; but we should not cast away our confidence. We must keep the eye fixed on Jesus, feeling or no feeling. We should seek to faithfully perform every known duty, and then calmly rest in the promises of God. […]
We may not feel today the peace and joy which we felt yesterday; but we should by faith grasp the hand of Christ, and trust Him as fully in the darkness as in the light.” EGW (Messages to Young People, pg. 102)
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