Morningview Family Worship Week of June 20, 2010
Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 138 (ESV)
1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 138:6
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,but the haughty he knows from afar.
Praying through the Psalms
Day 1 ~ The Lord, who answers prayer
Read: Psalm 138:1-3
Consider:
For Adults: This Psalm of thankfulness may have been one of the regular temple “Thank-Offerings” and as such has a clear emphasis on the “public” nature of the praise being offered. The Hebrew word translated“gods” here could refer to either angels, princes/rulers, or even idols. As you consider this call to bold thankfulness, consider the public testimony of your words this week. Do/will those around you know of the God you worship and thank for your blessings?
Older Children: Why is it a good thing that God has exalted “above all things” His name and His word? How do you think He does this? (v.2)
Younger Children: Have you ever called someone who didn’t hear you or would not answer you? How did it make you feel? How does it make you feel to know that God answers prayers and is always listening to the prayers of His people? (v.3)
Family Application: Talk together today about how God answers the prayers of His people and how the fact that our God is a real and “Living” God should lead us to worship Him in our words and actions.
Pray: Talk together about all of the specific needs that your family has today and assign different family members to pray out loud about each of the needs. Thank God that He hears and answers the prayers of His people and ask Him to grant your family greater faith as you learn to wait upon His answers.
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 Lord, who regards the lowly
Read: Psalm 138:4-6
Consider:
For Adults: In these verses of this week’s psalm, we see another strong scriptural call to humility based upon the character and greatness of God. While the term “lowly” is in one sense a contrast to the “Kings” who worship in verse 4, it is also a counter point to the “haughty” also mentioned in verse 6. Thus, we see the Royal Psalmist (King David) knows that in comparison to God, all members of mankind are only properly related to God when they understand and embrace their “lowliness.” Consider how you relate to others and to God this week in light of this fact, and resolve, by faith, to cultivate a God-pleasing “lowliness” in your character.
Older Children: After reading today’s verses, read Philippians 2:9-11 to your family. What does verse 4 mean in light of these verses in Philippians?
Younger Children: Have you ever felt that adults and older children ignored you because of how small you are? What do our verses today say about how God thinks of small or “lowly” people? How did Jesus feel about children?
Family Application: Consider together how one day, every knee will bow to Jesus and every tongue will confess His glory and Lordship. Talk about the blessedness of living in light of this fact today and talk about how you can honor God in acts of worship and humility this week.
Pray: Thank God for how He regards “lowly” sinners like us and how He calls us to become His sons and daughters by faith in Christ. Pray that God would help you to cultivate a humble and worshipful spirit and an atmosphere of humility and deference in your home.
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 Lord, who protects his children
Read: Psalm 138:7-8
Consider:
For Adults: Just as verse 4 looks to God’s faithfulness to the psalmist in the past, so these verses assert the psalmist’s faith that God is acting to preserve him according to God’s own divine plan even in the present. Often our circumstances challenge our assumption of God’s watch-care over us, but yet the scripture (and our experience) affirms that God is always working for His glory and the good of His people in all things and often in ways beyond our understanding. Consider today what God’s greatest good is for you (hint – see Philippians 1:21) and consider how your circumstances today may be working toward that end.
Older Children: After reading today’s verses, Read Philippians 1:3-6. What does this teach about the way God works in our lives? Does God ever leave His children to fend for themselves? What are some things that you know God has planned for you that He is working out in your life according to His word?
Younger Children: Have you ever felt that your room was so messy you could never clean it up? How would it make you feel better to have your Mom or Dad there with you to help you clean it up? Did you know that God helps His people through every trouble? How should this make us feel?
Family Application: Talk together about how God often works in way that we can never understand, but how he also works for His glory and the good of His people.
Pray: Thank God today for how tenderly He cares for His children, and ask Him, together, to strengthen your faith in Him and His divine plan for your family.
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/c/o/comethou.htm
