In God's hands, our affliction generates future glory, and that is why we do not lose heart! 1. While in distress, it was Paul's faith that made him preach, just like the author of Psalm 116. (v.13) 2. Paul kept going because of confidence in the future resurrection, and conversions resulting in thanks/glory to God. (v.14-15) 3. We suffer without losing heart because in God's hands, our affliction generates future glory! (v.16-18, also v.1) What is the Biblical way to respond to discouragement? How does our faith relate to our words? Psalm 116:10 When facing difficulty, why testify? 1 Thess. 2:2, 1 Cor. 9:16 Even when suffering, why does shame not fit for us? Rom. 1:16

God told us what He requires, and exposed our need for grace. 1. Listen to God indict His people for not doing what He requires. (v.1-5) 2. Listen again to God repeat again what He requires. (v.6-8) 3. Listen to God's sentence for not doing what He requires. (v.9-16) What is important about the long view? What if religious efforts are not genuine? Rev. 3:19-20 Who demands whole-heartedness from us? Ephesians 6:7 When are the standards of society sufficient? John 17:11,14

Suffering believers are like a precious and valuable treasure placed in disposable container, in order to show God's power. 1. Notice God's power – Christians living with personal powerlessness, but not despair. (v.7) 2. Notice God's power – suffering believers are physically squeezed, but not spiritually mis-shapen. (v.8-9) 3. Notice God's power – 'the life of Jesus' at work in us, and the 'death of Jesus' in suffering believers. (v.10-11) What if your value system needed a Biblical adjustment? What is precious and valuable? Colossians 2:3 Which things are worthless, which have value? 2 Timothy 2:20 In comparing life and death, what do we learn? Rom. 6:11

Micah painted a picture of the future victory of the remnant. 1. The remnant could potentially represent God to the nations: a) God's refreshing blessings - like dew. (v.7) b) God's victorious judgments - like a lion. (v.8-9) 2. The remnant could potentially stop trusting in wrong things. (v.10-14) 3. The holy God appropriately responds to disobedience. (v.15) How does this passage get fulfilled in Christ? Why are the Christians shoes a readiness for peace? Eph. 6:15 Who trusts in wrong things, with what result? Psalm 20:7-8 When would God ever turn on people? Is. 1:24-25, 2Thess. 1:5-8

The Bible teaches us to start each new year as we start each new day: with thankfulness to the LORD for setting us free from our distresses. 1. Stir each other to thank God for His covenant love. (v.1-4) 2. Join in thanking God for bringing us out of distress. (v.5-13) 3. Sing thanks to God for His salvation. (v.14-18) How is the thankfulness tied to the cross? Where is our praise grounded? Luke 9:31, 1 Cor. 5:7 How is our praise threatened? Heb.13:6. What connects this to us? Ex. 15:2 1 Cor 10:6,11.

The Psalms 15-24 are arranged in a chiasm. A. Psalm 15 (entrance liturgy) B. Psalm 16 (song of trust) C. Psalm 17 (prayer for help) D. Psalm 18 (royal psalm) X – the hinge!* Psalm 19 (praise psalm: creation/Torah) D' Psalm 20-21 (royal psalm) pair of royal psalms, to/from battle. C' Psalm 22 (prayer for help) B' Psalm 23 (song of trust) A' Psalm 24 (entrance liturgy) *The hinge is the essential point of this collection of Psalms – pay attention to the words of the Creator God! ____________________________________________ We pray that Jesus would display His victory in the day of trouble. 1. Because Jesus is victorious, it changes how we pray for our leaders. (v.1-5) 2. Because Jesus is victorious, we trust Him alone. (v.6-8) 3. Because Jesus is victorious, we have confidence that our prayers are heard. (v.9) Applying the king's psalm to ourselves: 1. Why call on Jacob's God to answer David in distress? Gen. 28:13-15 and 35:3, 1 Tim. 2:1-3 2. How were the people united to the King's life? 2 Samuel 21:17, James 1:17 3. Since we are united to Jesus' life, how has His victory impacted us? Eph. 1:20-21, Rev. 5:5

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