Trust

GodSpeak for the Week of March 31 

Taking a break from our BeTheL series, our theme for this week will focus on “trust.”

Day 1…Read Psalm 33:1-6

• Consider this – the “righteousness” and “justice” themes of v. 5 are sandwiched between God’s Word being described as “right” and “true” in v. 4 and by His Word Creation was called into being (v. 6).
• Answer this – what does the placement of v. 5’s themes being sandwiched between vv. 4 and 6 tell us about God’s view of “righteousness” and “justice”?
  • Why would “righteousness” and “justice” be sandwiched between vv. 4 and 6? 

Day 2…Read Psalm 33 in its entirety

• Consider this – how the idea of “trust” is illustrated very specifically in vv. 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 16, 18, 20, 21 and 22.
• Answer this – how is “trust” illustrated in each of those verses?
  • Taken as a whole, what picture of trust emerges for us?

Day 3…Read 1 Peter 5:6-11

• Consider this – in v. 7, Peter calls us to cast all our “anxiety” on God. The Greek word for “anxiety” carries the notion of being drawn in a number of different directions.
• Answer this – if anxiety, as Peter describes it, is being drawn in all kinds of different directions, how does casting that anxiety of God help us in a practical sense?
  • What does it look like, that God’s care for us invites us to put our being drawn in a number of different directions onto Him?

Day 4…Read 1 Peter 5:6-11 (again)

• Consider this – in vv. 8 & 9, Peter offers a vivid illustration of fighting against the devil’s attacks.
  • In v. 8, Peter calls us to be of a “sober” mind – literally, to be of a calm and collected spirit.
  • In v. 9, Peter calls for the faithful to “resist” (imperative tense) the devil – literally, to set yourself against the devil!
  • And, later in v. 9, Peter notes that the “family of believers” around the world are “undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
• Answer this – what do these verses illustrate for us about trust? That is, trust in God AND trust in each other?

Day 5…Read John 14:1-3

• Consider this – John records Jesus as calling on us not to let our hearts be “troubled” – specifically, to not let them be filled with fear and dread.
  • Jesus then specifically notes that those listening believe in God AND in Him…distinctly.
• Answer this – why does Jesus make the distinction between belief in God AND in Him?
  • What does it mean to believe in God AND believe in Jesus, specifically and distinctly?
  • What is the benefit – particularly to a “troubled” heart – that we believe in God AND Jesus, specifically and distinctly? 

Day 6…Read John 14:1-3

• Consider this – one of the timeless concerns and critiques of Christian faith is that – in the end – it’s just wishful thinking.
• Answer this – in vv. 2 and 3 specifically, how does Jesus go about addressing and undermining this heretical critique that our faith in Him is just wishful thinking?
  • What does Jesus say to provide rationale and proof as to why we confidently believe?