Psalm 73
Martin Luther wrote
a letter to his barber in which he suggested some tips for meditating on the
scriptures. First, ask the Holy Spirit to lead and help you, second, read the
text carefully and then thirdly ask, what is this teaching me? Luther broke
this final stage into six questions for the reader to ask of God, the text and
themselves.
1. How can I adore
and worship God for what this tells me?
God is just. The
wicked will not always rule the earth. v.18-20
God is gracious.
When the psalmist rejects God, God holds onto him. v.22-24
2. How can I confess
a sin to God on the basis of what this tells me?
I still desire the
prosperity the world offers. How different are my career aspirations from those
who do not know the Lord. v.3
v.25-26 – can I say
this with integrity? My heart wanders. It is rarely content in God in the
moment but strives for the next goal.
I long to know the
joy of believing v.25 with every fibre of my being, no longer craving the
approval of others.
3. How can I thank
God for how Jesus sheds light on this text or how this text sheds light on the
person and work of Jesus?
Jesus’ cross
destroys the beast within me v.22 and makes my salvation certain v.24. Jesus’
calls me to fight for his kingdom against injustice v.6-9.
4. How can I
petition God on the basis of what this says?
Would your kingdom
come in and through my life and your church – would the world see your glory
and repent…
5. How would my life
look different if I really believed this text?
I would see the lies
I live for and seek instead a more fulfilled and exciting life for his kingdom
alone.
6. Why would God
show me this now?
(member of a homegroup)