Community Bible Study - Frisco

Psalm 3 serves as an excellent model of faith for us to follow in challenging times. In the beginning of the Psalm, David says there are “many” people who are rising up against him and taunting him. Those foes include his own son and the people that he used to lead. Wow.

Despite what others are saying about him, he says “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” This isn’t a prayer asking God to be his shield. This is David boldly declaring that God IS a shield for him. The word shield evokes the feeling of protection. David knew that God would protect him from harm and this sense of peace is what he needed to rest from his worries. No matter what others said about him, David remained steadfast in his faith that God would deliver him.

When we are full of anxieties and pressures, we need to follow the example set by King David in this Psalm. Rather than focusing on our problems, we should remember God’s goodness and center our thoughts on Him, trusting that from Him will come deliverance. He is always there to be our shield! We are never alone, no matter what situation we are going through. He is, by night, “a shield about me,” and by morning, “the lifter of my head” (Psalm (3:3).

"In our language, as in biblical terms, the word (majestic) captures not only greatness but also goodness, both bigness and beauty, awesome power together with pleasant admiration." - David Mathis

Psalm 145:5 says, "On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate." If you just panicked and thought, "I don't remember reading Psalm 145 in our lesson this week," don't worry - you aren't wrong! But what a wonderful reminder for this week as we study songs to the creator. We hope you've found some time to set aside this week to marvel at and meditate on the majesty of our God. Let yourself be filled with awe and wonder as you worship our creator!

“When man gazes up at the illimitable expanse of the heavens studded with stars, the difference between God and man is revealed in all its magnitude, and the whole contradictory quality of that difference is made manifest. The finite is confronted with the infinite, the transient with the eternal, the perpetual sorrows and anxieties of man, who constantly goes astray, with the peace, steadiness and order manifested by the heavenly bodies which run their prescribed course. All these thoughts are implied in the question, “What is man?””
- Artur Weiser

When we think of our God, these words should come to mind - Steadfast love... Plentiful redemption. We worship a faithful God who is ready to forgive and who deserves for us to put our hope in Him. He is our great Redeemer and is worthy of all of our praise.

The Hebrew word "hesed" is translated into "steadfast love" in this verse. This word, which is one of the most common descriptions of God in the Hebrew Bible, is actually a difficult word to translate into English because there are so many meanings for it. If we look deeper into the word, we see that it combines the ideas of love, loyalty, covenant faithfulness, mercy, and grace. It is love in action. Theologian John Oswalt said hesed is “… a completely undeserved kindness and generosity”.

As you go through your lesson this week about contrition and confidence, meditate on hesed - the unfailing, steadfast love that God has for you!

We heard in our teaching this week that the Psalms invite us to lay it all out before God and they also teach us how to pray to Him. God's Word for this first week is Psalm 91:2.
"I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'"
God is bigger than any problem or situation we may face. Praise him and thank Him for what He is doing in your life - trust and believe that He is working for your good! We are so grateful for each and every one of the 110+ women who have said yes to studying the Psalms with us every Monday and we can't wait to see you again on the 8th!

2 days until we dive into the Psalms!

We have been praying for you ladies and our study all summer and are so excited to start in 3 days!!!

Can you believe it?!? Only ONE WEEK until class begins!

What a blessing this study will be!