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Why this series on the Psalms?

Why this series on the Psalms?. Why this series on the Psalms?. Because the Psalms teach us how to pray. Why this series on the Psalms?. Because the Psalms teach us how to pray Because the “lament” Psalms teach us how to pray when we are in pain . Why this series on the Psalms?.

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Why this series on the Psalms?

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  1. Why this series on the Psalms?

  2. Why this series on the Psalms? • Because the Psalms teach us how to pray

  3. Why this series on the Psalms? • Because the Psalms teach us how to pray • Because the “lament” Psalms teach us how to pray when we are in pain

  4. Why this series on the Psalms? • The first two Psalms are not prayers – but are the “gateway” to effective prayer

  5. Psalm 1 1 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. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

  6. Psalm 1 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

  7. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day & night.

  8. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHAT IS MEDITATION? 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day & night.

  9. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHAT IS MEDITATION? • It has a mental object 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day & night.

  10. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHAT IS MEDITATION? • It has a mental object • It is musing, pondering, ruminating 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day & night.

  11. “. . . it involves murmuring and mumbling words . . . getting the feel of the meaning . . . Isaiah used this word ‘meditate’ for the sounds the lion makes over its prey (Isa. 31:4). A lion over its catch and a person over (God’s Word) act similarly. They purr and growl in pleasurable anticipation of taking in what will make them more strong . . . This is quite different from merely reading God’s Word, or thinking about it. This is not so much an intellectual process, figuring out meanings, as it is . . . hearing and rehearing these words . . . letting the words sink into our (spiritual) muscles and bones. Meditation is mastication.” Eugene H. Peterson, Answering God (Harper Collins: 1989), p. 26. Psalm 1NEEDS TITLE • WHAT IS MEDITATION? • It has a mental object • It is musing, pondering, ruminating

  12. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHY IS MEDITATION ON GOD’S WORD ESSENTIAL?

  13. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHY IS MEDITATION ON GOD’S WORD ESSENTIAL? • Because it yields the “blessedness” of God’s presence 1 Blessed is the man . . . 2 (whose) delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

  14. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHY IS MEDITATION ON GOD’S WORD ESSENTIAL? • Because it yields the “blessedness” of God’s presence Num 6:24“The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

  15. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHY IS MEDITATION ON GOD’S WORD ESSENTIAL? • Because it yields the “blessedness” of God’s presence “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” (Revelation 3:20)

  16. “In what way shall we attain to this settled happiness of the soul? How shall we learn to enjoy God? How shall obtain such an all-sufficient soul-satisfying portion in him as shall enable us to let go the things of the world as vain and worthless in comparison? I answer, This happiness is to be obtained through the study of the Holy Scriptures . . . not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe, but considering what we read, pondering over it, and applying it to our hearts.” George Mueller, Addresses by George Mueller Complete and Unabridged, 2 vols. (Muskegon, Mich.: Dust and Ashes, 2003), 1:646, 272-273. Psalm 1NEEDS TITLE • WHAT IS MEDITATION? • It has a mental object • It is musing, pondering, ruminating

  17. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHY IS MEDITATION ON GOD’S WORD ESSENTIAL? • Because it yields the “blessedness” of God’s presence • Because it will make you “like a tree”

  18. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHY IS MEDITATION ON GOD’S WORD ESSENTIAL? • Because it yields the “blessedness” of God’s presence • Because it will make you “like a tree” 2 On his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

  19. “Why do I meditate? . . . Because I need help against the ungodly haste and unrest which threaten my work as a (Christian). Only from the peace of God’s Word can there flow the proper, devoted service of each day. In the same way that the word of a person who is dear to me follows me throughout the day, so the Word of Scripture should resonate and work within me ceaselessly . . . Accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart . . . That is meditation . . . Ponder this word in your heart at length, until it is entirely within you and has taken possession of you.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Meditating on the Word Psalm 1NEEDS TITLE • WHAT IS MEDITATION? • It has a mental object • It is musing, pondering, ruminating

  20. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHY IS MEDITATION ON GOD’S WORD ESSENTIAL? • Because it yields the “blessedness” of God’s presence • Because it will make you “like a tree” • Because the only alternative is a life “like chaff”

  21. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word 1 (Those who) walk in the counsel of the wicked & stand in the way of sinners & sit in the seat of mockers . . . 4 . . . They are like chaff that the wind blows away. • WHY IS MEDITATION ON GOD’S WORD ESSENTIAL? • Because it yields the “blessedness” of God’s presence (1:1) • Because it will make you “like a tree” • Because the only alternative is a life “like chaff”

  22. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word 24 Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matthew 7:24-27) • WHY IS MEDITATION ON GOD’S WORD ESSENTIAL? • Because it yields the “blessedness” of God’s presence (1:1) • Because it will make you “like a tree” (1:3) • Because the only alternative is a life “like chaff” (1:4-6)

  23. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • WHY IS MEDITATION ON GOD’S WORD ESSENTIAL? • Because it yields the “blessedness” of God’s presence (1:1) • Because it will make you “like a tree” (1:3) • Because the only alternative is a life “like chaff” Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

  24. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • HOW CAN I GET STARTED IN BIBLICAL MEDITATION?

  25. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • HOW CAN I GET STARTED IN BIBLICAL MEDITATION? • Select a small passage that strikes you • Memorize it • Say it to yourself throughout the day for several days • Emphasize different words & apply it to different situations in your life • Ask God to plant it deeply into your life

  26. Psalm 1Gateway to Prayer: Meditation on God’s Word • HOW CAN I GET STARTED IN BIBLICAL MEDITATION? • Find a quiet place for 20-30 minutes • Briefly ask God to speak to you • Select a small portion of Scripture & write it out on a sheet of paper • Notice what part “lights up” – why? • Write out the prayer this part ignites • “Chew” on this part through the day

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