Slices
Prepare
How are you feeling about this New Year? What worries you most? Where are you finding or seeking joy?
Bible passage
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
6 Now this I know:
the Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us when we call!
Explore
This psalm of David refers to the life and circumstances of the king. Clearly his world is a troubling, even scary place. There are powerful, dark forces everywhere lined up to crush and kill. There is so much to be afraid of, and with good reason.
This is the same David who squared off against the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17). This is the same David who was relentlessly pursued by Saul (1 Samuel 23). He has lived experience of God’s faithfulness and power and that changes everything.
The punchline is in verses 6 and 7. There is only one place where it is safe to put your trust. There is only One in whom it is safe to build your hope. He has a name: the Lord our God. Moreover, we have the astonishing privilege of calling him Father.
God is not remote from our circumstances. He is not indifferent to our troubles. He is not hard of hearing. He is eternally on our side, not because of us but because of his loving kindness and inexhaustible grace towards us. He will answer when we call!
Respond
This psalm sounds assured and triumphant. Yet our lives are not always like that. The big picture might be clear, but waters around us are muddy. Ask God to give you his perspective on the year ahead and step forward with your confidence firmly placed in him.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 9–11; Matthew 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray that God will prosper the Bible engagement programme planned by SU Tanzania to reach primary and secondary schools in two of the country’s regions – Manyara and Arusha.