JOJO

Q1. (Psalm 27) What does it mean that David desires to "dwell in the house of the Lord"? What does it mean to "seek his face"? How does David provide hope at the end of this Psalm? part 1 - To be in the prescence of God and to do His will. part 2- We are hungering for His presence in our lives, we want - we yearn for- a closer relationship with God. part 3 - David reveals to his readers, that the wait will be worth it - God is faithful. And... we are not to lose faith - the reward will be awesome!

Q3. (Psalm 139). In what way does the wonder of creation in the psalm seem to affect the psalmist? In his concluding prayer in verses 23-24, what does he ask God to do? First, the psalmist realizes that God knows him completely, that He knew him before his birth, and realizing this makes him revere God and know he can never fully absorb the knowlege and wonder of God. Then the psalmist (David) recognizes the omnipresence og God (that He is EVERYWHERE!) Then he reemphsizes how well God knows him and has known him. The final beseeching prayer asks God (who knows him so well) to root out all offensive thoughts and actions, cleanse him and lead him in the Way.

Q2. (Psalm 19) Verses 1 to 6 seem very different from verses 7 to 13, but there is a common thread that relates the first part to the second part. What is it? In what way does the psalmist seem to bask in God's Word? Have you ever felt that way? How does the psalmist's wonder in creation seem to affect him in this psalm? In the classic prayer of verse 14, what is David asking God to do? Verses 1-6 speaks to us of the magnitude of God's creation, that, no matter when we look up at the heavens, we see (day or night) God's mighty works. David also rejoices at the sun. Then he goes on to discuss the value of the law, the written word which connects the works of God with how much value and respect we are to view them as mere humans. I especially love 12 and 13 and the "mirror" image as it builds our protection against sin. The final prayer, oft repeated from the pulpit (and till now, I never knew its origination) is so beautiful. Quoting it, we pray that our words and our thoughts please God, our Redeemer! Amen! I will pray it now in the morning and whenever I am leading prayer, participating in a meeting or speaking from any venue.[/b]

Psalm 1 teaches me that God is the creator of all, and even in the vastness of His creation, He cares for us. We are so small in this vast creation, but we are important to God. God, in the form of lowly man, will come to us and show us GOd's love. We need to care for and respect and preserve this precious earth.