Bible Studies

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The Songs
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 - Found, Delivered, and Redeemed

Key Verses: (NRSV)

• 1: “In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me." - We all, at times, seek shelter from the storms of life and as we learn to turn to God we find Him ready to envelope us with His love and eager to show us the way towards a life of righteousness.
  
  
• 2: "Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.” - The psalmist prays a prayer that God willingly answers. He has been waiting for each of us to call on His name and to receive His gift of salvation.
  
  
• 3-4: "You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, ⁴take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge." - There are snares in life that threaten to lead us astray, but God will provide us with his Spirit to lead, guide, and inspire us to the glory that He has in store.
  
  
• 5: "Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God." - Giving everything over to God opens the door to a new life; a redeemed life.
  
  
• 15-16: "My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. ¹⁶Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love." - And Jabez prayed, 'keep me from harm' and his prayers were answered. It is a promise available for us all.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• Where do you go to seek refuge? Do you hurry home after a busy day, after a day of fighting off the wolves, and race to close the doors of your sanctuary that you call home? Do you head for the mountains, lakes, or beaches to escape the rigors of daily living? Do you find refuge from a bottle or from a candy wrapper? Do you find comfort from friends or do you savor being alone? Perhaps you escape into a good book or "veg-out" in front of the boob tube? Do any of these choices provide true refuge, release any of life's pressures, or solve any problems? Have you tried seeking refuge in the Lord? Have you found hope when you do?
  
  
• What are the "snares" in your life? What hidden dangers lay in your path? Will your temper or lack of patience suddenly reach out and trip you up? Will temptation finally erode your defenses? Will the pressures of the day overwhelm you? Are you about to succumb to fatigue or improper diet? Would everything be fine if the traffic ahead of you would just start moving or if the screaming baby in the waiting area would just go to sleep? Are you on the edge of losing control? Do you realize that God is waiting to help?
  
  
• Have you handed your life over to God? Can you commit to Him your spirit? Will you be able to give to Him your times, your worries, your defeats, and your victories? Can you relax into His Spirit with the assurance and knowledge that He will provide you safety from harm? Do you accept that His promise of salvation comes only after you give Him control of your life? Do you see that He is earnestly listening for your prayer, beseeching of His love, glorifying in His faithfulness, and dedicating your life? Are you ready to experience His "steadfast love?"
  

Promise of the Gospel:

David's prayer shows us that we are not the only ones facing a life filled with frustrations, lined with traps and snares, packed with pressures, or fraught with enemies. Everyone faces these issues in life. The key to a peaceful life is at that moment when we recognize there are issues beating at our doors over which we have no control. We cannot solve, fix, or manage everything that comes our way. We need help. We need refuge from the storm. God is waiting for this moment of recognition. When we turn to Him and give over or dedicate our life to Him, His blessed assurance pours into our lives like rain. Peace, comfort, safety, and hope are components of His steadfast love. Protection from harm and guidance from the snares of life are His bounty. He is the rock of our salvation.

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