Welcome to the Weekly Digest!
Below you will find resources to help you on your journey through the Book of Psalms. We've provided you with a reading plan for the upcoming week, journaling prompts, a weekly Spotify playlist, and ideas for prayer. Be sure to check in every week to see what we have for you next as we continue to enrich our journey through the Psalms.
Reading Plan January 30 - February 12th
Psalms 86-90. Read and reflect on Psalm 89 in preparation for Sunday, February 12th's teaching. You can download the reading guide for the entire series here.
Scripture Memorization
Scripture memorization is an important discipline to introduce to our lives as a way to actively hide God's word in our heart. It allows us to not only internalize the text, but to share that truth with others more readily.
Memory Verses forJanuary: Psalm 71:17-18 ESV
O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
Journal Prompts
* A quick note on journaling: if you're new to this practice, our journey through the book of Psalms will be a great way to get started. The most important step to forming this discipline in your life is to write anything and write often. Journaling is an incredible way to slow down, digest the content of a text, let your brain internalize thoughts that may come up, and keep a record for future reflection on what God was speaking to you during your reading. Journaling can take many forms such as written prayers, bullet points, stream of consciousness, or even poetry. Try some different methods and find the one that works best for you.
Journal Prompts / Discussion Questions from Today's Teaching
The act of worship internalizes the way of discipleship into habits of praise and obedience so that life is not a depressing descent, but an exhilarating ascent to strength. What are the rhythms in your life that help put you in a place of deep trust and gratitude?
Journal Prompts / Discussion Questions for This Week's Reading
Psalm 86
Where does David’s bold sense of confidence and faith in God as we see in this prayer come
from? It’s not rooted in his own ability or performance as he calls himself; “poor and needy (Ps.
86:1).” His words are centered around God and God alone.
After desperately pleading for God to deliver him in the tough circumstances he’s facing, he
goes on to praise God even more speaking of who God is, His characteristics and heart, and the
amazing works God has done in His life.
--Take a moment and reflect on your conversations with God in prayer
--Where’s the focus of your heart and your words when talking to God?
--When talking to God in prayer today, intentionally incorporate praising God for who He is, His
characteristics, and all the many ways He works in your life.
--At the end of the day spend a few moments to reflect on how praising and focusing on God
affected the way you saw and handled circumstances you were faced with.
Psalm 87
When the Psalmist speaks of the “gates of Zion (Ps. 87:2),” he is referring to the dwelling place
God made among His people in Jerusalem through Jesus’ time of serving the people there in his
earthly ministry and ultimately the place where Christ died and rose back to life.
God’s work through Jesus in Jerusalem opened up the gates of God’s dwelling and gave the
opportunity for all people, even outside of the people of Israel, to know God personally and
experience God’s love in their lives as well.
-To see how God’s love and desire is for all people to know Him personally, how does this affect
the way you see God’s relationship with you?
-God wants to make His dwelling place with you, in what ways are you making your dwelling
place with God?
Psalm 88
The Psalmist in Psalm 88 shows us the beauty of prayer as he is honest with God about his
struggles, hurts, and the tough circumstances he faces in life. Admitting to God “my soul is full
of troubles (Ps. 88:3),” and “I have no strength (Ps. 88:4),” can be extremely difficult.
The moments we confess our pain and troubles is when the “God of my salvation (Ps. 88:1),”
can do his work of transforming and saving our lives from the pits of our despair.
--Think back on your time in prayer with God, how honest and open are you with God about
life’s struggles and everything that may weigh your heart down?
--Are there any things or places you go to other than God when seeking to find comfort over
the pain, hurt, and challenging moments of your life?
--What are some tough situations and pain you are dealing with right now?
Write them down on paper then spend a few moments sharing every aspect of them out loud
with God.
Later on, reflect on how God has worked through the things you confessed to Him.
Psalm 89
Psalm 89 is a Psalm that anyone who lives in relationship with God can relate to. The writer’s
words go from the mountain top experience of praising God for His steadfast love and
faithfulness while also mentioning the covenant promises God made to David.
Then the writer’s words show his feelings of confusion over the current circumstances he faces
as he feels like God is absent and why it seems like God had forgotten the promises He had
made earlier.
But to end off the Psalm, the psalmist finishes with another statement of praise; “Blessed be
the Lord forever (Ps. 89:52)!”
--When you have knowledge of God’s goodness and faithfulness, but when faced with difficult
situations in life you feel as if God is absent in those moments.
--What are some ways you can stay connected to God and be reminded of who He is and His
always present loving hand in your life?
Psalm 90
In light of how eternal God is, “from everlasting to everlasting (Ps. 90:2),” the writer of Psalms
90 reminds us of the reality and brevity of our life here on this earth. “So teach us to number
our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Ps. 90:12)
--Are you making the most of the days that God has blessed you with?
--Spend time taking an inventory of your life and use these questions to journal further.
--How are you filling your time, what do you spend your time doing daily?
--Ask God in prayer Psalm 90:12; write down a few things you can spend your time doing that
would make a significant impact on your relationship with God and His kingdom?
Prayer
I lift my eyes to you, O God, in worship and adoration. I focus on your promises and expect your grace. I gather all my needs and desires and bring them to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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