THRU THE PSALMS
Thomas Merton once said there is no aspect of the interior life, no kind of religious experience, no spiritual need of humanity that is not depicted and lived out in the Psalms. This summer we start a spiritual formation series as a church family "Reading Thru The Psalms."
The reading plan will cover two Psalms a day starting June 23 and ending Sept 6. If you fall behind in your reading, use the last week of each month to catch up. Meanwhile, each week you are invited to post your comments below or on the church Facebook page for your reflections and thoughts. These posts will serve as a virtual congregation to share issues of faith. Also be on the lookout for suggested resources to aid in your readings.
Dr. A. Louis Patterson, the recently deceased pastor of Mount Corinth Church in Houston, TX, once said the way to obtain more faith is through hearing more of the word of God. Through our spiritual formation summer series, the entire FBC-W congregation will be reading the same passages of scripture and praying, as well as reflecting upon their meaning individually and as the body of Christ at First Baptist Church-West.
One Psalm says thou word is a light into my path and a lamp unto my way. Let’s follow the light together as we look to grow in grace and knowledge of things concerning the faith.
p.s. Feel free to use a nickname if you prefer to remain anonymous.
Dr. Ricky A. Woods
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church-West
Week 2 June 30-July 6
Psalms 15-28
Verse of the Week Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Last week's reading in the Psalms brought us upon a new term--Selah. In Hebrew, Selah is not a word but a form of punctuation which indicates to pause. Selah is often used not just as a place to pause at the end of thought or sentence but to call upon depper reflection and meditation of what has just been read.
The Psalms are not meant to be reading as an exercise in speed reading but call upon us to take the time to think and reflect upon what has been read. The readings for this week made us aware of God's goodness to the king as several of the Psalms celebrated the ways God had provided for Israel's king.
The nation should pause to give thanks, understanding their favorite status among the nations was not earned but a gift from God. A gift with responsibility that begins with honoring God. Honoring God for the psalmist is far more than worship alone. Honoring God meant living in relationship with others that gave witness to the faith confessed. God's goodness is to be celebrated within a community that has been the recipient of God's favor.
As our nation celebrates its birth and independence, we should pause long enough to reflect and to meditate on the meaning of God's goodness to our country. There is much to be grateful for and much work to be done as we seek to continue to bear witness to the grace of God that has been and continues to be ours. Selah
Recommended Readings:
A Shepherd's Look at Psalm 23 -- Phillip Keller
The Healing Power of the Psalms -- Henry Dreher and Samuel Chiel
Encountering God in the Psalms -- Michael Travers
Published on Saturday, June 28, 2014 @ 10:43 AM EDT