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Psalm for Prayer and Praise:

Psalm 32 (ESV)

1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD” — and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.

7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 32:10

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.

Praying through the Psalms

Week of February 14, 2010

Day 1 ~ The Joy of Confession

Read: Psalm 32, focus today on verses 1 through 5

Consider:

For Adults: Consider the mood of the psalmist and his struggle with sin that he was refusing to deal with. How was God’s “heavy hand” actually a work of grace to the psalmist. Is God’s hand “heavy” on you for something?

Older children: How do you feel when you hide something that you have done wrong? How did the psalmist feel? Does God want us to hide our sins?

Younger children: What is sin? What does every sin deserve? What makes someone a sinner?

Family Application: Talk together about the terrible consequences of sin both now and in eternity. Consider together how you can be better as family about confessing sin both to God and to one another. Consider how the gospel frees believers to be honest about their struggle with sin.

Pray: Pray together through these verses of the Psalm. Thank God for how He sent Jesus to provide a way for our sins to be “covered” and forgiven. Ask God to reveal any sins to you that you may be cherishing in your heart and, hence, are hurting your fellowship with Christ.

Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.

Day 2 ~ The Mercy of God

Read: Psalm 32, focus today on verses 6 through 9

Consider:

For Adults: According to v. 6, when is the appropriate time to call out to God? When is it too late? What is the proper response of “The Godly” to times of trouble?

Older children: Why does the psalmist say that we should not be like a horse or a mule? Have you ever done what is right, but only because someone made you do it? How are God’s people to obey Him?

Younger children: What do you use a hiding place for? How can God be a “hiding place” for believers?

Family Application: Consider together why God allows His people to go through hard times even when they are under His protection. Talk about how God wants us to earnestly seek him and treasure Him at all times.

Pray: Pray through today’s verses of Psalm 32. Praise God for being a God who makes Himself known so that He can be found. Confess to Him your need of His sustaining care at all times and thank Him for being a “hiding” place for all those who call upon Him. Ask Him to move in your family to give you hearts that are eager to follow Him in obedience and pray that you would learn to follow Him with joy.

Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from Day 1 that may have been lost.

Day 3 ~ The Joy of the Godly

Read: Psalm 32, focus today on verses 10 through 11

Consider:

For Adults: How does the knowledge of God’s mercy translate into “gladness” and rejoicing in your life? How has God’s lovingkindness surrounded you as you have trusted Him?

Older children: How do you feel when people sometimes appear to be rewarded for sin and evil? Why is true happiness only to be found in following and trusting in Christ?

Younger children: Can wicked people be happy forever? What “sorrows” come from choosing to sin?

Family Application: Talk together about how the Bible so clearly states that sin always eventually leads to sorrow and misery even though it may sometimes appear to bring happiness. Talk about the kind of lasting joy that God wants believers to experience through trusting in Him and how that should work itself out in our day to day attitudes.

Pray: Pray through verses 10 and 11 of Psalm 32. Praise God that he is a God of perfect justice who will allow no evil to go unpunished and also a God of abundant mercy for repentant sinners. Pray that He would help you to trust Him more and that He would restore your joy as you seek Him this week and give you a heart that overflows in worship and gladness.

Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.

Hymn of the Week

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/f/hfirmafo.htm