Psalm_72
Scripture
Psalm 72:1-4
1 Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s son. 2 May he judge Your people with righteousness And Your afflicted with justice. 3 Let the mountains bring [e]peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness. 4 May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy And crush the oppressor
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Observation-What does it say?
Observation-What does it say?
This psalm is a prayer for the King Solomon. It may have been the prayer at the coronation ceremony, when he attained the throne from his father, David. The prayer expresses characteristics of the ideal king, and looks forward to the reign of Jesus, the perfect king. In the beginning of the prayer, we see a plea for the king’s righteousness, that he may reflect God. The prayer also expresses the desire of enduring righteousness, that people would benefit from the king’s wisdom.
Understanding-What does it mean?
It’s easy to get caught up in the speed of life, especially in Southern California. In this age of instant information, we are constantly being bombarded with messages of the newest trends and of the newest life changing product. Amidst all the new, is the pressure to keep up with the times. I can’t even tell you how often I get made fun of for having an “old” phone (iPhone SE, looks like the 5 but is actually newer). It’s not like I am dragging around a rotary phone. As a byproduct of the pressure to keep up, we are often looking at situations in the light of how it will benefit us and help us keep up. And the question of “What’s in it for me?” looms in the back of our mind.
I am very guilty of this in my work environment. There are many instances where I look at what I am doing and try to figure out how it will make me look for promotions, and special assignments. The people I come into contact with become statistics, instead of people, and the problems they are encountering become statistics, instead of life events. So, work becomes about the bottom line of promotion and accolade, instead of a way to serve people or as an act of worship to God.
My paradigm is in need of a shift. Scripture tells us that our focus should be on bringing worship to God. In Colossians 3:23-24 Paul writes, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” To the Galatians he writes, “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (6:8-10). In other places, we find that God’s will for our lives is to be content with what we have (1 Timothy 6:6-10), and to serve widows and orphans (James 1:27).
Life Application
Jesus, help me to carry the example of King Solomon into my work. Help me to put the needs of others before my own. Let me act in a way as to protect the dignity of the afflicted, and serve those who are struggling. Most of all, give me a heart of worship. Let all the works of my hands bring you glory. May you increase and I decrease.
-Tyler Galloway
Psalm_71
Scripture
Psalms 71:15
“I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.”
Observation-What does it say?
In this psalm David is already old and gray. He continues to call out to God in his times of need. David’s enemies are now plotting against him. His enemies think that God has abandoned him. But David continues to trust in God and God’s faithfulness, strength, and protection. God has been with him since birth. Why would God abandon him now? David’s faith is in God, and he is willing to tell everyone about how great and awesome God is.
Understanding-What does it mean?
David the evangelist???
When we hear the word evangelist, we think of people like Billy Graham or Greg Laurie. But reading this passage reminded me that King David was an evangelist in his own right too.
“My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.”-Psalms 71:7-8
“I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just. O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.”
Psalms 71:15-17
Throughout the good times and even the bad times, David trusted God. Whether it was through songs of praise, or just words of affirmation, David was telling everyone about God’s saving power! Others may have looked at him as if he was crazy (especially when he was going through rough patches) when he was constantly praising God, but David trusted and knew firsthand of God’s faithfulness. His life was an example of it! Now he wants the whole world to know about the awesome God he serves.
Life Application
Share with others what God has done in your life.
David wasn’t shy about sharing God’s love and faithfulness with others. He was constantly reminding others of God’s faithfulness. His life proved it to them! In the same way, I feel led to do the same. I have a friend at work who I have been sharing with. I would tell him what the Bible says regarding God, and how to live our lives. But when I share about my personal relationship with Jesus, and how Jesus has changed my life, and what Jesus has done for me, that is what seems to get through to him. The personal stories and experiences make it more relatable for him to understand how knowing and trusting God can bring peace and joy in our lives. And knowing that God has given each of us our own stories and experiences to relate with others is what can help bring people to Christ. It’s a matter of us being bold and courageous to share with others the way David did. 
-Moses Gaddi
Mark__4
ScriptureMark 4:38 “Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Observation-What does it say?Jesus and his disciples just finished a long day of ministry . It was evening time, so Jesus and his disciples got in a boat, and began to cross to the other side of the lake. While they began to cross the lake, a fierce storm came. High waves were breaking into the boat, and began to fill it with water. The disciples began to panic. They rushed to get Jesus for help. They found Jesus sleeping at the back of the boat in the midst of this storm. So the disciples woke Jesus up, and shouted, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are going to drown?” Understanding-What does it mean?Is there anyone else you would rather have in the boat with you during a storm?Jesus’ disciples have witnessed first hand some of the amazing things Jesus had done. From casting out demon possessed people, to healing all sorts of people with various sicknesses and diseases. Jesus performed miracles! Why were His disciples panicking and so frantic on the boat as the storm hit? Did they suddenly forget who was on the boat with them? Life ApplicationSeek Jesus first when life’s storms hit you.We can poke fun and laugh at the disciples all we want about their lack of faith, but if we were to look at our own lives, aren’t we the same way sometimes? I know I am. I know Jesus has gotten me through so many things in life. From my struggles while in the Marines, to my bout with Bells Palsy, through my financial debt, to the healings of not only my physical ailments, but my family’s as well. Jesus continuously comes through! Yet, when the next “storm” in my life arrives, there I go again, worrying, panicking, and forgetting who is on the boat with me. It’s quite silly when I think about it. It’s like I have short term memory or something! It’s almost as if the enemy wants me to forget all those miracles Jesus did for me so that I would rely on other avenues to deal with it. Just one problem though...not one of those avenues lead to Jesus! And why should I try these other avenues in life to help me through these storms?..When I have Jesus in my life! He is the One who has always been faithful to me. It would be foolish of me to go any other way. Why try to fight these “storms” in life on my own, or with anything else?..Especially when I have the God of the universe on the boat with me, who has the power to do ALL things!“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”-Mark 4:39-41 -Moses Gaddi