Aligning Hearts with God's Truth in Turmoil
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Psalm 34, a beautiful psalm that offers profound insights into aligning our hearts with God's truth, especially when our feelings don't match up with what we know to be true about God. David, in this psalm, teaches us to bless the Lord at all times and to let His praise continually be in our mouths. This is not always easy, especially when our emotions are in turmoil. However, David provides a roadmap for us to navigate these challenging times.
First, we must remember God's past faithfulness. David's praise stems from his recollection of God's previous acts of deliverance and provision. When we recall how God has answered our prayers, blessed our character, and protected us in the past, it strengthens our faith and helps us trust Him for the future.
Second, we must pursue our own faithfulness by God's grace. David invites us to taste and see that the Lord is good, encouraging us to savor God's goodness. This pursuit of righteousness should flow from our experience of God's love and grace. When we delight in God and seek His ways, our lives align more closely with His truth.
Lastly, we must cling to God's promises by faith. David assures us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Even when our hearts are heavy and our spirits are low, we can trust that God is with us. By looking to Jesus, who endured suffering and was ultimately vindicated by God, we find the strength to trust in God's promises.
### Key Takeaways
1. Remember God's Past Faithfulness: Reflecting on God's past actions in our lives can bolster our faith during challenging times. David's praise in Psalm 34 is rooted in his memories of God's deliverance and provision. When we recall how God has answered our prayers and protected us, it helps us trust Him for the future. [12:41]
2. Pursue Faithfulness by God's Grace: Our pursuit of righteousness should stem from our experience of God's love and grace. David encourages us to taste and see that the Lord is good, emphasizing that our righteousness flows from delighting in God. This approach helps us align our lives with God's truth, even when our emotions are in turmoil. [17:36]
3. Cling to God's Promises by Faith: Trusting in God's promises is crucial, especially when our hearts are heavy. David assures us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. By looking to Jesus, who endured suffering and was vindicated by God, we find the strength to trust in God's promises. [24:26]
4. Aligning Emotions with Truth: It's essential to let our emotions be governed by what is true. David's psalm teaches us that while our feelings are valid, they should not overshadow the truth of God's word. By focusing on God's faithfulness and promises, we can bring our emotions in line with His truth. [07:12]
5. God's Personal Comfort: God cares deeply about our emotions and offers personal comfort. David reminds us that God will wipe away every tear and personally comfort those who mourn. This assurance helps us trust in God's compassionate nature, even when we are struggling emotionally. [08:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - Opening Scripture: Psalm 34
[02:59] - The Power of Praise
[04:27] - Feelings vs. Truth
[05:52] - The Challenge of Emotions
[07:12] - Validity of Emotions
[08:37] - Aligning Heart with God's Truth
[09:35] - Remembering God's Faithfulness
[12:41] - God's Past Deliverance
[17:36] - Pursuing Faithfulness by Grace
[20:49] - Savoring God's Goodness
[22:20] - Wisdom and Righteous Living
[24:26] - Clinging to God's Promises
[27:02] - Jesus as Our Example
[29:16] - Invitation to Respond
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 34
#### Observation Questions
1. What does David mean when he says, "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth"? ([01:32])
2. How does David describe the Lord's response to the poor man's cry in Psalm 34:6? ([02:59])
3. What does David invite us to do in Psalm 34:8, and what is the promised outcome? ([17:36])
4. According to Psalm 34:18, what is God's relationship to the brokenhearted and the crushed in spirit? ([24:26])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to remember God's past faithfulness, and how does this practice impact our current faith? ([12:41])
2. How does David's invitation to "taste and see that the Lord is good" relate to our pursuit of righteousness? ([17:36])
3. What does it mean to cling to God's promises by faith, especially during times of emotional turmoil? ([24:26])
4. How can aligning our emotions with God's truth help us navigate difficult times? ([07:12])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in the past. How can recalling this experience strengthen your faith in your current situation? ([12:41])
2. David encourages us to "taste and see that the Lord is good." What are some practical ways you can savor God's goodness in your daily life? ([17:36])
3. When you are feeling brokenhearted or crushed in spirit, what specific promises of God can you cling to for comfort and strength? ([24:26])
4. How can you ensure that your emotions are governed by the truth of God's word rather than your current feelings? ([07:12])
5. Think of a recent situation where your feelings did not align with what you know to be true about God. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time? ([08:37])
6. In what ways can you actively pursue righteousness by God's grace, especially when facing trials or temptations? ([22:20])
7. How can you offer personal comfort to someone who is struggling emotionally, reflecting God's compassionate nature? ([08:58])
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting on God's Past Faithfulness
Description: Reflecting on God's past actions in our lives can bolster our faith during challenging times. David's praise in Psalm 34 is rooted in his memories of God's deliverance and provision. When we recall how God has answered our prayers and protected us, it helps us trust Him for the future. David's experiences remind us that God is consistently faithful, and this recollection can be a powerful tool to strengthen our faith and trust in Him. [12:41]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Think of a specific instance in your life where you experienced God's faithfulness. How can recalling this event help you trust God in a current challenge you are facing?
Day 2: Pursuing Faithfulness by God's Grace
Description: Our pursuit of righteousness should stem from our experience of God's love and grace. David encourages us to taste and see that the Lord is good, emphasizing that our righteousness flows from delighting in God. This approach helps us align our lives with God's truth, even when our emotions are in turmoil. By savoring God's goodness and seeking His ways, we can live a life that reflects His truth and grace. [17:36]
Psalm 119:103-104 (ESV): "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."
Reflection: In what ways can you "taste and see" God's goodness today? How can you let this experience guide your actions and decisions this week?
Day 3: Clinging to God's Promises by Faith
Description: Trusting in God's promises is crucial, especially when our hearts are heavy. David assures us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. By looking to Jesus, who endured suffering and was vindicated by God, we find the strength to trust in God's promises. Even in our lowest moments, we can hold onto the assurance that God is with us and will see us through. [24:26]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to cling to today? How can you remind yourself of this promise throughout your day?
Day 4: Aligning Emotions with Truth
Description: It's essential to let our emotions be governed by what is true. David's psalm teaches us that while our feelings are valid, they should not overshadow the truth of God's word. By focusing on God's faithfulness and promises, we can bring our emotions in line with His truth. This alignment helps us navigate emotional turmoil with a foundation rooted in God's unchanging nature. [07:12]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Reflection: Identify an emotion you are currently struggling with. How can you align this emotion with the truth of God's word today?
Day 5: Embracing God's Personal Comfort
Description: God cares deeply about our emotions and offers personal comfort. David reminds us that God will wipe away every tear and personally comfort those who mourn. This assurance helps us trust in God's compassionate nature, even when we are struggling emotionally. Knowing that God is intimately aware of our pain and offers His comfort can bring immense peace and hope. [08:58]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's comfort in the past? How can you extend that same comfort to someone else who is hurting today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There can be a difference between what we feel and what is true. Okay? Now, some of us at different times in our lives are almost entirely governed by what we feel. That includes myself, so don't feel like I'm beating up on you guys or dogpiling here." [04:27] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's okay to experience emotion. Don't mishear me. The Bible doesn't teach that we ought to be simple brains and vats. Just nothing but reason. Just computers. Gospel robots, if you will. We have to remember this. What is true matters. More than how we feel." [07:12] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We must remember God's faithfulness in the past. We must remember God's past faithfulness. Remember God's past faithfulness. Notice how the psalm opens up. I will, David says, bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord." [09:35] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Look at verse 10. I mean verse 9. Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no lack. Though young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." [17:36] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We believe. We believe that God kept Jesus and we believe God will keep us. We believe that God suffered for us and it's a sign that we can trust Him that He sent His own Son actually into the world. Affliction will slay the wicked. We believe in God's justice ultimately." [28:45] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What do we do when our heart doesn't line up with God's truth? This morning, I'm going to show you three points from this psalm. Three things I think David is showing us here in this psalm that will help us line our hearts up with God's promises. Help us cling to God's truth even when our hearts is tumultuous." [09:17] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We must remember in the past when God has answered our prayers. It's an amazing thing to consider. I'll tell you, I have the worst memory in the world. The worst memory in the world when it comes to remembering the way God has answered my prayers. It's so funny how quickly we forget, isn't it?" [13:02] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Pursuing righteousness is the means to a good life. It's upside down from our intuition. Our intuition is to do what we want no matter what, and that's the way to have a good life. But God says there's another way to pursue Him. And so when we start by loving and pursuing Him, then our righteousness flows out of that." [22:20] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We must cling to God's promises by faith. Do you see verse 15? The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil to cut off the memory of them from the earth. And when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles." [23:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We look to the One who though He was perfectly righteous, endured many sufferings. We look to the One who endured the cross, despising the shame, the Bible says, looking to the joy set where before Him. Trusting God out into the future. Believing that God would raise Him up and have Him. How did God justify His Son? How did God prove the righteousness of His Son? By raising Him from the dead." [27:02] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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