God has blessed you and me, as He did Abraham, so that we can be a blessing to others. We receive it from Him, then become a channel of His blessing to others. They, in turn, bless God with their praise and thanksgiving. The blessing that came from God is returned to God, who blesses even more. So…in being blessing-bearers, we are therefore blessed.
Read Psalm 18:1-19
I. CENTER ON HIS PERSON Psalm 18:1-3
- On whom is the Psalmist focused as he begins his prayer? 18:1
- What phrase indicates the Psalmist’s relationship with God was more than just a religion? 18:1; Matthew 22:37-38
- List ten different characteristics the Psalmist attributes to God in 18:1-3.
- Match each characteristic with one of the following verses: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Ephesians 1:19-21; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; 1 Peter 2:4-6; Psalm 59:16-17; 91:1-2; Psalm 40:17; 144:2; Deuteronomy 33:27; 2 Samuel 22:31; Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33: 29; Psalm 62:1; 118:21; Matthew 1:20-21; 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 27:1; John 20:24-29; Romans 10:9; Psalm 145:3; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:25
- Which attribute and/or verse is most meaningful to you? Why?
- On what or whom are you focused when you pray? Would you center down on who God is as you begin your prayer?
II. CRY OUT FOR HIS PITY Psalm 18:4-6
- In what desperate situation did the Psalmist find himself? 18:4-5
- What could be a more desperate situation then facing certain death?
- What desperate situation are you facing?
- What did the Psalmist do that you and I need to do also? 2 Chronicles 32:20; Psalm 22:4-5; 107:4-6
- How did God respond? Psalm 72:12-14
- Describe the desperate situations in the following passages, and the outcomes: Deuteronomy 26:5-8; 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 6:8-23; Jeremiah 29:10-14; Matthew 14:22-33. In your own words, describe a time when in desperation you cried out to God, and He answered.
- What is your heart’s cry now? Would you voice it in prayer to God?
III. CONFIDENT OF HIS POWER Psalm 18:7-19
- Give phrases from 18:7-15 that poetically describe the power of Heaven’s movement in response to the Psalmist’s cry.
- What phrase in Habakkuk’s cry in Habakkuk 3:2 also expressed confidence in God’s power?
- How was Heaven moved for both the Psalmist and Habakkuk? Psalm 18:16-19; Habakkuk 3:3-10
- How does confident knowledge of God’s power give encouragement and strength to His people? Isaiah 40:21-3