Caleb Drahosh \\ The process that we go though to be made holy (sanctification) is slow. When Paul writes to the Corinthian believers, he does so with full knowledge of the glut of problems–both in idea and practice–that the church was experiencing. But Paul knew who God had made them and was making them in Christ Jesus. The power of the Gospel is a slow, overwhelming power. When it appears that evil is winning or sin is getting the best of us, we must be assured that the Gospel is at work; "it does not transform the character of men or the state of society in a moment; but it keeps up a continual conflict with evil until it is finally overcome (Hodge, Charles. "Commentary on 1 & 2 Corinthians")."

Caleb Drahosh \\ When we think about being rich, we usually think about it in a financial sense. But Paul tells Timothy it is more important to be rich in good works and in generosity. Use of finances in the way God intended has eternal impact; the way money has importance beyond this present age is through a biblically informed use of it.

Caleb Drahosh \\ We are often drawn to money as a source of security; and when we hope in money we find ourselves on unstable ground. Paul tells Timothy to charge believers to identify their tendency to set their hopes on riches and to fight that tendency. The enjoyment of the gifts that God provides in this life can come only when our hearts are aware that they cannot completely satisfy our deepest desires; it is only God can who can fully satisfy those longings.

Caleb Drahosh \\ When corporate worship ends and our week begins, the order and orientation of our life often shifts away from God and onto other things. Psalm 134–the concluding Psalm of Ascent–invites us to stay vigilant and remember that we are called to bless the Lord: "think well of [the Lord], and speak well of Him. Adore Him with reverence, draw near to Him with love, delight in Him with exultation (Spurgeon, The Treasury of David)."

Caleb Drahosh \\ In our heavily individualistic society, common direction is often an anomaly. But David calls God's people to share in and be directed by that which they are called––to love the Lord their God through the demonstration of love for neighbor. When love is displayed through genuine care and concern amongst God's people, the Gospel is proclaimed. Unity amongst brothers rejects societal ideals of self-pursuit and personal truths and rests in the reality that Jesus is better.

Caleb Drahosh \\ As followers of Jesus, we have godly desires (e.g. the salvation of a family member or the spiritual development of a friend). But sometimes those desires, although godly desires, don't happen in the timing or the way we expect. David desired to secure a place for God to dwell among His people in the temple. He did not see the temple built in His lifetime, but the temple was not God's ultimate plan. God intends to dwell with His people in a way that David did not see–not in a house made with human hands, but through restoration and renewal achieved through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Our world feels increasingly complex to the point it can be debilitating. In Psalm 131 King David expresses a desire to humbly and simply know his God. We often tend toward overcomplicating our relationship with God, but for the one who is in Christ, relationship with God should be regarded with great humility by acknowledging its simplicity–as a child's relates to his or her mother.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things in the Christian life. We often give in to ongoing bitterness or resentment when another wrongs us. But Psalm 130 makes it clear that God is a forgiving God; therefore, we are to faithfully forgive others. God's forgiveness for us is clearly seen in the Gospel; our sins are forgiven because of the sacrifice of the spotless lamb, Jesus Christ.

Mark Reeves \\ Last week in Psalm 128 we were reminded: “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.” But it is impossible to understand - much less walk in - the ways of the Lord until we have some degree of understanding of our sin, and the cost of our redemption. Psalm 129 can be viewed in two ways: first, as a lament during adversity and oppression from the ungodly; second, as a prophetic forecasting of Christ and the Gospel message of redemption.

Blaze Culliton \\ We often find ourselves striving to control our lives, keeping up our positive outward appearance. However, Solomon reminds us that the Lord is in control, commanding complete sovereignty over our circumstances and lives. He truly provides peace and rest, and without him our striving is in vain. Instead of anxiously striving for ourselves, we must rest in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who has made us daughters and sons of God.