Unrest

Introduction to the Leviticus Psalms Book 4

Every emotion of the heart is Reflected in the Psalms with words that express our deepest and strongest feelings. They provide comfort and joy, leading us to the place where worship flows. Psalms is divided into five books, mirroring the five books of Moses that form the Old testament. Together they convey the depth of our longings and fears, joys and celebrations, becoming a mirror to the heart of God's people in our quest to experience God's presence.

and strongest feelings. They provide comfort and joy, leading us to the place where

worship flows. Psalms is divided into five books, mirroring the five books of Moses that

form the Old testament. Together they convey the depth of our longings and fears, joys and

celebrations, becoming a mirror to the heart of God's people in our quest to experience

God's presence.

The Numbers Psalms, is Book Four in this anthology of Hebrew poetry. It is composed of a series of praises and prayers for our pilgrimage on earth, giving voice to the highs and lows of our life journey and drawing our attention to the the sovereign Lord who reigns over it all. Throughout this collection, psalmist remind us of our Eternal God who is our safe and secure shelter, and is enthroned as God Most High. In response, we're called to praise his rule and celebrate his compassion. we're also invited to pray for help, knowing he will listen and Act because of his past faithfulness.

series of praises and prayers for our pilgrimage on earth, giving voice to the highs and lows of

our life journey and drawing our attention to the the sovereign Lord who reigns over it all.

Throughout this collection, psalmist remind us of our Eternal God who is our safe and secure

shelter, and is enthroned as God Most High. In response, we're called to praise his rule and

celebrate his compassion. we're also invited to pray for help, knowing he will listen and Act

because of his past faithfulness.

Our Eternal Home and Hiding Place and Psalms 91

Here we discover and explore an aspect of our life Journey that anyone on any journey

knows is a number one priority: shelter.

When you backpack over a mountain or travel through a country, if you don't have shelter, you're in trouble. Thankfully we have an eternal home and hiding place - and that shelter has a name: Shaddai. Shaddai is taken from a Hebrew root word with many expressive meanings. It can mean " God of the Mountain," "God the Destroyer of Enemies, " "God the Self-Sufficient One," " God the Nurturer of Babies," or "God the Almighty."

you're in trouble. Thankfully we have an eternal home and hiding place - and that shelter has

a name: Shaddai. Shaddai is taken from a Hebrew root word with many expressive meanings.

It can mean " God of the Mountain," "God the Destroyer of Enemies, " "God the Self-

Sufficient One," " God the Nurturer of Babies," or "God the Almighty."

Isn't it great to know that on our pilgrimage through this life, we have Someone who protects us from false accusations, overwhelms our grief with gladness, provides wisdom to guild us, shields us from harm, and gives us his presence during times of pressure and trouble?

us from false accusations, overwhelms our grief with gladness, provides wisdom to guild us,

shields us from harm, and gives us his presence during times of pressure and trouble?

The Kindness and Love of Our Reigning King , and 94

Aren't you glad that the sun sets on every day and rises again on a whole new one? Imagine if the kind of day you had yesterday - filled with whiny kids or back-to back meetings or endless lectures - continued on and on for another week with no clear reset. That's what so special about the sunrise: it's a reset of our life by a loving, kind King over every moment of it.

the kind of day you had yesterday - filled with whiny kids or back-to back meetings or

endless lectures - continued on and on for another week with no clear reset. That's what so

special about the sunrise: it's a reset of our life by a loving, kind King over every moment of it.

Each Morning is evidence of God's Kindness, love, and mercy; each sunset is an occasion to proclaim God's faithfulness for carrying us through another day. His anointing over our lives makes us strong and secure, empowering us for victory. He makes his lovers flourish like palm Trees and defeat their enemies.

proclaim God's faithfulness for carrying us through another day. His anointing over our lives

makes us strong and secure, empowering us for victory. He makes his lovers flourish like

palm Trees and defeat their enemies.

But what matters even more than this daily renewal for our life journey is that he reigns over it as king. From eternity past God has reigned, stilling the chaos of our world and issuing royal decrees that last forever. His rule extends everywhere, especially over every one of our days - which should give us confidence to live them, and joy to praise him for them.

it as king. From eternity past God has reigned, stilling the chaos of our world and issuing

royal decrees that last forever. His rule extends everywhere, especially over every one of our

days - which should give us confidence to live them, and joy to praise him for them.

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With my mouth I will

greatly extol the LORD; in

the great throng of worshipers

I will praise Him!

Let's Sing Our New Song to the Lord! and 96

A quick Internet search for “top worship songs” yields a mixture of old and new ones. There are the mainstays like “Amazing Grace,” “Shout to the Lord,” and “Blessed Be Your Name.” Then there are more recent additions to the contemporary worship charts like “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord),” “Mighty to Save,” and “How Great Is Our God.” Each of these songs tap into something we learn in today’s lesson: we need to worship God for what he’s done for us on our pilgrim journey.

are the mainstays like “Amazing Grace,” “Shout to the Lord,” and “Blessed Be Your Name.”

Then there are more recent additions to the contemporary worship charts like “10,000

Reasons (Bless the Lord),” “Mighty to Save,” and “How Great Is Our God.” Each of these

songs tap into something we learn in today’s lesson: we need to worship God for what he’s

done for us on our pilgrim journey.

Think about the ten thousand reasons we should bless the Lord: his amazing grace that saved us wretches; his might in saving us from what could have happened in our day; and his blessings of provision and security. and 96 extend these reasons to include not only what God has done for us but also who God is. The Lord is the great King-God over all gods.

us wretches; his might in saving us from what could have happened in our day; and his

blessings of provision and security. and 96 extend these reasons to include not only

what God has done for us but also who God is. The Lord is the great King-God over all gods.

He holds the mysteries of earth in his hand as the Engineer and Sculptor of creation. He rules over all.

over all.

Yahweh Reigns as King Over All! and 99

Reformed Theologian John Calvin once quipped, " the human mind is, so to speak, a perpetual forge of idols." In other words, there is no end to our worship of false gods, because our heart churns out idols like widgets in a factory.

perpetual forge of idols." In other words, there is no end to our worship of false gods, because

our heart churns out idols like widgets in a factory.

Though our idols aren't stone or wood variety, modern hearts forge objects of devotion in plastic and Silicone(technology), paper and nickel (money), aluminum and steel (cars). And then above these stands another who reigns supreme: the individual person. In the course of our pilgrimage, we want the right to decide right from wrong and the right to decide the way things should be. We want to be like God, as the serpent offered Adam and Eve.

plastic and Silicone(technology), paper and nickel (money), aluminum and steel (cars). And

then above these stands another who reigns supreme: the individual person. In the course of

our pilgrimage, we want the right to decide right from wrong and the right to decide the way

things should be. We want to be like God, as the serpent offered Adam and Eve.

and 99 remind us that neither blocks of wood nor wafers of silicone, neither careers nor cars, neither men or women ultimately reign and rule. Yahweh reigns as king over all! David describes as King-God and the Most High God over all the earth; he is exalted over every power.

nor cars, neither men or women ultimately reign and rule. Yahweh reigns as king over all!

David describes as King-God and the Most High God over all the earth; he is exalted over

every power.

Sing to the lord, with Your Lips and Your Life , , and 101

The psalmist continues to draw our attention to the need to worship the Lord—deliberately and persistently. When you explore all that today’s lesson has to offer, you’ll realize why David invites us to “break out of the box and let loose with the most joyous sound of praise” ().

and persistently. When you explore all that today’s lesson has to offer, you’ll realize why

David invites us to “break out of the box and let loose with the most joyous sound of

praise” ().

Just look at all the reasons we have to praise God during our pilgrimage: he’s saved us, displaying his justice throughout history; he never forgets to show us his love and faithfulness; he stands with us and showers us with kindness; he is always good and ready to receive us; and he keeps his promises from one generation to the next. So, yes, “blow those trumpets and shofars!” (v. 6).

displaying his justice throughout history; he never forgets to show us his love and

faithfulness; he stands with us and showers us with kindness; he is always good and ready

to receive us; and he keeps his promises from one generation to the next. So, yes, “blow

those trumpets and shofars!” (v. 6).

True worship is life oriented. David knew this, which is why he refused “to gaze on that which is vulgar” and despised “what is evil and anything that moves my heart away from you” (101:3).

which is vulgar” and despised “what is evil and anything that moves my heart away from

you” (101:3).

Two Responses for the Overwhelmed and Discouraged and 103

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With my mouth I will

greatly extol the LORD; in

the great throng of worshipers

I will praise Him!

Two Responses for the Overwhelmed and Discouraged and 103

Becoming overwhelmed and discouraged are par for the course on this pilgrim journey. How often have you come to the Lord to pour out your heart, in both praise and prayer?

have you come to the Lord to pour out your heart, in both praise and prayer?

See if you can resonate with what the psalmist wrote in . He cried out to the Lord for help, pleading with him to listen; his happiness had gone up in smoke; he felt depressed, lonely, forgotten, and abandoned; he was sleepless, shivering in the cold, forlorn and friendless; his enemies mocked him and used his name as a curse; and his crying filled cups of salty tears. Sound familiar?

See if you can resonate with what the psalmist wrote in . He cried out to the Lord for help,

pleading with him to listen; his happiness had gone up in smoke; he felt depressed, lonely, forgotten,

and abandoned; he was sleepless, shivering in the cold, forlorn and friendless; his enemies mocked

him and used his name as a curse; and his crying filled cups of salty tears. Sound familiar?

Yet, we have one who listens to us responds to our overwhelm and discouragement. Generation after generation live securely because the Lord listens to us and protects us - which is why David pledged to bless and praise the Lord with his whole heart, and encouraged others to do the same.

after generation live securely because the Lord listens to us and protects us - which is why David

pledged to bless and praise the Lord with his whole heart, and encouraged others to do the same.

Our Compassionate, Giving Creator-God

Our Compassionate, Giving Creator-God

The poet in reminds us all what we have-all of creation-that sustains us comes from the hand of a loving Lord. He provides every living thing what it needs to drink, and even the trees drink until they are satisfied. He feeds the hungry, from the cattle to people. Goats find home in the mountains, and all the creatures of the earth wait expectantly for the Lord to give them everything they need as he determines.

hand of a loving Lord. He provides every living thing what it needs to drink, and even the trees drink

until they are satisfied. He feeds the hungry, from the cattle to people. Goats find home in the

mountains, and all the creatures of the earth wait expectantly for the Lord to give them everything

they need as he determines.

Go Ahead - Thank God for His Glory and Goodness! and 106

Take a moment to think about all that has happened in your personal journey through life, from the day you were born until today. Such a pilgrimage is bound to be marked by valleys of life’s darkest experiences, as well as mountain-top highs of success and joy. The psalmists want us to recognize today that through it all, God was there and he was not silent.

day you were born until today. Such a pilgrimage is bound to be marked by valleys of life’s darkest

experiences, as well as mountain-top highs of success and joy. The psalmists want us to recognize

today that through it all, God was there and he was not silent.

In considering our own journey, we are invited to trace the pilgrimage of Israel, who also experienced highs and lows. Yet from Abraham to Jacob, Joseph to Moses, the Lord was faithful and good; from generation to generation he was true to his word and kept every promise. Such help and hope, salvation and security blanketed the entire story of Israel—even when they rebelled and wandered. It blankets our own story too.

experienced highs and lows. Yet from Abraham to Jacob, Joseph to Moses, the Lord was faithful and

good; from generation to generation he was true to his word and kept every promise. Such help and

hope, salvation and security blanketed the entire story of Israel—even when they rebelled and

wandered. It blankets our own story too.

In this lesson we explore the wonderful works of God and his eternal goodness—which should cause us to not only thank God with praise but also tell the world by sharing his heart far and wide.

us to not only thank God with praise but also tell the world by sharing his heart far and wide.

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Devotion (Personal Study)

1.What happens when people “sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai” ()? What don’t we who shelter ourselves in Shaddai have to worry about, even in times of disaster and the terror of night?

shadow of Shaddai” ()? What don’t we who

shelter ourselves in Shaddai have to worry about, even in

times of disaster and the terror of night?

􀀕􀀑􀀃Why do you think Moses asked the Lord to “help us to

remember our days are numbered, and help us to

interpret our lives correctly” ()? How does it

look to do this in our everyday living?

3. What do you think it would mean to those you

know that the Lord is our “eternal Home, our

Hiding Place from generation to

generation” ()?

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4􀀑􀀃After readin9293, and 94, what did you

notice, perhaps for the first time? What questions do you

have? What did you learn about the heart of God?

Since when has Yahweh reigned? What challenges Yahweh’s

decrees? How long do they stand?

5. Why is it true that “such a blessing comes when you

teach us your Word and your ways. Even the sting of

your correction can be sweet” ()?

6􀀑􀀃What did the psalmist want God’s people to do in Psalms

95 and 96? Why didn’t the psalmist in want people

to hold back what he wanted them to do?

7􀀑􀀃According to the psalmist i96, how great is the

Lord? What about other gods?

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Discussion (Small Group Study)

8􀀑􀀃What are lovers of God called to do? Why?

9.Why should everyone rejoice and the earth be glad at

the reality that Yahweh reigns as king? What does it

mean that Yahweh’s “throne of glory rests upon a

foundation of righteousness and justice” ()?

10􀀑 What does0 invite us to realize when it

comes to the Lord and our praise of him?

11. In what way is the Lord “famous for his miracles

and marvels”? How has he “displayed his justice

throughout history” (, )?

12􀀑􀀃What had happened to the psalmist’s days, body, and

heart? What kind of emotion did the psalmist use in

to describe his condition?

13􀀑􀀃 David listed a number of reasons why he bowed

in wonder and love before the Lord. What are all the

dimensions to the heart of God that

reveals? List them here.

14. Why do you think the Lord’s great and furious

anger was against the psalmist? Why would the Lord

have rejected him in his wrath?

􀀔5�:17 speaks of a deep faithfulness to God. What

does it mean that the Lord is faithful? How does this verse

and the psalmist explain this aspect of the heart of God?

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16. How did the psalmist describe God’s involvement with

all the living things of the world?

Digging Deeper (Further Study)

􀀔7􀀑􀀃What does it tell us about the heart of God that he holds

the earth “all together so it will never fall apart” (104:5), and

that he provides “drink for every living thing” (104:11)? In

what way does the Lord “give us daily bread to sustain life,

giving us glowing health for our bodies” (v. 15)?

18.What was the promise God gave to Jacob? What

didn’t he permit when it came to him and his people?

􀀔9􀀑􀀃What are all the ways the people of God had

rebelled against the Lord? In what way had the

Lord “saved his people more than once” (106:8)?

What do all these ways tell us about the heart of

God?

􀀃

Scripture for Meditation

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of

the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat

of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and

on His law he meditates day and night.