Lesson 13 Review: Wait on the Lord

Introduction

Memory Text: Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Ps 27:14 NKJV).

In this week's lesson, we reach the end of our studies of this quarter on the Topic, "The Psalmist" The moral lesson of this quarter helps us to understand the proper approach of God in His sanctuary through our praise, worship, confession and Thanksgiving. the psalmist praises God with an understandable mindset and urges us as well to go on the same path of worship.

When all hope is gone, how can we trust God?

Waiting on the Lord will never put us to shame but we will be richly rewarded because the Lord is faithful to all His promises, it takes the Grace of God for us not to be shaken or stumble even if we may but God is faithful enough to make us stand on a higher ground.

When what we are praying for hasn't come, how can we wait in faith?

Perseverance is our supreme commitment to refusing to succumb to fear of disappointment that somehow God will not come to help us, we only pray for God's blessings but we can't command God to act according to our will rather let our prayers always be that the will of God be done in our lives.

what does the idea of little children entail in this lesson?

the fact that the Bible calls us little children doesn't mean that we are truly children or babies indeed, but it describes us as one who is weak and feeble unable to help ourselves physically, spiritually, mentally and otherwise. It so therefore means that God calls us to be obedient and submissive to him and him alone.

How do God's blessings on people's lives give us hope?

Mostly it is well known that God works in mysterious ways but we can understand God's work of salvation better. Our lives are full of God's mercy and Grace despite our unfaithfulness, but let us draw hope from the word of God, though the night is of sorrows and pains, joys come in the morning.

What Role does the Sabbath play in our Redemption? 

God's commandments of rest are vital to every Christian age, no one will neglect such an invitation to a peaceful call of rest but few and numberless will be selected, Yet, although He is the Most High, the Lord readily reaches down to rescue those who call on Him. Thus, the Sabbath rest is essential to God's people.

What time of the day does the psalmist enquire about God's blessings?

In the Psalms, morning is simply the time when God's redemption arrives, God's deliverance will eliminate the present darkness of death. In this lesson, darkness is seen as the trouble and sorrows falling upon the children of God but in the morning is the arrival of God's hope to everyone who waits upon Him.

How should the Biblical Heroes patiently wait on God to inspire our hearts as pilgrims?

Undoubtedly, Paul in his Epistle to the Hebrews helps us to understand that through faith and by faith alone our patriarchs and prophets hope for a better country (Heaven). God is not ashamed to call their God, to maintain a state of loyalty to God then our Christian journey must be personal.

In Conclusion,

At the end of this quarter and these lesson studies we must be able to subdue ourselves having this understanding that God never slacks concerning His promises nor abandons His children but then let's not give up on the race of salvation. In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death then shall our strength and the work of creation be completed, thus the image of perfection will be wide and broad to our eyes to behold our Saviour in Jesus' name.

Lesson 12 Review: Worship That Never Ends

Introduction

Memory Text: "I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to God while I have my being" (Psalms 104:33)

Worship in every century has been a major task in the life of every human being, knowingly or unknowingly people worship either something or someone but the Main interest is on the reasons why they worship it, we need to know that whatever we worship determines our eternal destiny.

why should our worship be more personal and not depend on others? 

considering His greatness in our lives, worshipping God should be more personal and committed to it, The inevitable reply is to devote one's life to being faithful to God. In the Psalms, Israel is not simply a nation but a great assembly.

what are the most effective ways we can share the good news (Gospel) to the world?

undoubtedly, that seeing is believing. people may not believe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus until it is well seen in us both the miracles he has done in our lives and the transforming power of God in our characters too.

what "Song" does the writer refer to as a new song here?

the writer does not mean composing of the song or strange song to confuse the worshippers but rather is a usual praise or recognition for the promised fulfilled and Deliverance from enemies and from death, and God's special favor toward His Children are some of the more personal motives to sing a new song.

Who are the people worthy of worshiping in God's presence?

The sanctuary was a holy place, and everything in it, including the priests was consecrated, Thus, holiness is a mandatory requirement for entering the presence of God.

people whose hearts are ready to meet Christ's perfection is the worshiper's greatest quality before God.

How are we to declare His Glory to all the Nations?

Israel was a nation that God formed and called to Himself not for nothing sake but to declare the God of peace to all who knew Him not even so our we also who were gentiles but by grace and by spirit we are called to lift up the banners of our living God for the world to know that there's God reign supreme forever.

why does God not delight in our sacrifice?

In ancient Israel some worship was not ordinary, people came with a sacrificing gift to offer unto God. but most of those gifts God didn't accept based on the heart that presented it to God, the heart that acts contrary to the will of God, his gifts and sacrifice are an abomination before God.

In Conclusion,

There are many who fail to understand the true nature of repentance, maybe because of the sinful environment we find ourselves, God owns the power of conviction and transformation, but we have to do the work of ministration to let people know their human weaknesses and turn to God through His Word as God will help us to make better decisions in Jesus' name.

It is more blessed to give than to receive

 In a general sense, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) but more specifically it is more blessed to give thanks to God than to receive gifts.

Ten lepers were healed by Jesus but only one of them returned to say thanks and this one was a Samaritan.

Many are so concerned about the things about to be done by God and they forget to thank Him for the things already done by Him. Unfortunately, even when God does more in the future and including the ones they expect to get, they would still yet be ungrateful.

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34, NKJV).

“Oh that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:15, NKJV).

In case you are wondering if God really wants your thanks, here is what is written in 1 Thessalonians 5:18:

“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

We do not have to wait till some of these blessings in our lives are taken away to recognize such blessings.

We do not have to also regard only a requested blessing as the only blessing worth giving thanks for.

Before wrapping up, let us look back at the generic sense, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully,” “For God loves a cheerful giver.”

And what is God able to do for a cheerful giver?

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

Therefore, I say to you, give thanks to God for He is good. He deserves your praises, for He has created all things and for His pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11).

Lesson 11 Review: Longing for God in Zion

Introduction

Memory Text: "My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God" (Psalms 84:2).

considering the mighty power of God in our lives, the psalmist couldn't hold back his tongues from praising God he utters out his heart to God to express his joy and appreciation onto God.

What does Zion represent?

Zion represents Jerusalem, the presence of God. Making the title imply that we are longing for the presence of God, for Heaven.

What makes Zion the source of hope and joy?

symbolically, Zion refers to God living presence among his people, Zion is God’s chosen mountain where holy convocation, praise and adoration are sent forth to the almighty God.

What keeps Christians going?

God is going to triumph. Sin will be destroyed forever.

How should Christians respond to the crisis in the society?

Christians rather than take sides should pray for the peace of Israel. Although we cannot be assured of peace in this world, but we are to pray to God.

What is God saying about Zion?

Wherever you are born, Zion is for everyone.

Why do we preach to people if God’s love is already revealed to all?

Some people need revelation by people in addition to the revelation they have received. Love compels us to go preaching to these people in the first place.

why should we as Christian prefer the sanctuary of God than any other gathering?

in a stadium, theatre hall or any other gathering event may seems to be a place where fans or people gather to have fun or we may spend time with friends and family but the place to obtain peace of mind and blessings is the living sanctuary of God.

unparalleled happiness is achieved in relationship with God, which consists of praising Him finding strength in Him and trusting Him. a day with God is more than a million years with friends of the world.

What are practical way that we can strive for harmony among us as a people?

Jerusalem could be the city of peace only if peace existed between God and His people, and among God's children themselves when there's peace in our hearts The presence of the Lord also abide to satisfy us daily.

why should everyone longing for Zion to be their home?

Zion is God's specially chosen and beloved city, which The foundation of God's temple is built by His Righteousness and truth, is a home where everyone should hope for and there'll be no sorrows and pains there to their birthplace of praise.

Will God leave the world to its destructive choices and actions forever?

It wasn't the will of God that we should be trouble by evil or any means of human scheme that project war as the devil's agent rather at the end of His Creation He pronounce everything to be good and beautiful but man choose to disobey God which the consequence God promise to eradicate to bring peace to human race.

Is God still in the world without the knowledge of God?

Yes. Although the world rejects Him, His presence is still there. He is watching over His people and in turmoil, He is there.

How are those who trust God portrayed here?

Unlike the mountains ruled by the wicked, which are being tossed into the seas the impressive durability of the mountain upon which Jerusalem was built inspires profound trust. only God can give us Victory for the battles fought and everyone who delight in His was will be save.

What hope do we have as Christians?

Good will defeat evil. One day, Jesus will defeat evil forever.

In Conclusion,

The songs of Zion make an absolute commitment to stay mindful of Zion and the living hope in God's sovereign reign that it represents, while many blessings of God's sanctuary are experienced in this life, the hope in the fullness of life and joy in Zion is still in the future. we may experience something strange different from the promise of God but one thing is certain that we sorrow in the night but joy comes in the morning only those with the mind of perseverance will enjoy the eternal reward that is being promised by God, I pray we should be watch and pray till then in Jesus’ name.

Robbing God

 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But You say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8, NKJV).

We do not have to rob God of His tithes and offerings. While the tithe is very compulsory, the offerings are part of our gift to God which shows that we appreciate what He has done for us. Many don’t even return the tithes, let alone the offerings. While some do not return these at all, others do not give the tithes the way it is supposed to be given.

If you do this, “You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me. Even this whole nation.” (Malachi 3:9, NKJV). This whole nation in our context could refer to the church that depends on tithes and offerings.

What is God’s Word to us to bring blessings to us rather than curses? “ “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for You such blessings That there will not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10, NKJV).

Solomon was given the opportunity to ask God for anything He desired because He gave God a bountiful offering, “a thousand burnt offerings on the altar” (1 Kings 3:3, NKJV). “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6, NKJV). This saying need not be overemphasized.

We finish the blessings in Malachi for those who bring all the tithes into the storehouse. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts; And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts.

Choose blessing over cursing. May We not rob God in Jesus name.

Lesson 10 Review: Lessons of the Past

Introduction

Memory Text: "Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done" (Psalms 78:3-4).

fact, praises and Thanksgiving is another dimension of appreciating the wonderful works of God in our lives, hence it is an act of honour and by doing so we are telling God to keep on doing miracles in our lives more and more.

what have we learned from the psalmist and what can we tell our children about God's arms to save?

Before David and others wrote the Psalms they had heard and seen how God delivers their fathers from the enemy's hand, and by so doing David urges every one of us to trust in God's saving power which can save.

what lessons have you learned or should have learned from your past mistakes?

considering the past, our lives should be as close to God as not to repeat the same mistakes of the past Generation who tempted God and didn't see the land that was promised to them but rather was inherited by the faithful ones. 

why is it important to tell our children and people around us the History of the Bible?

Your children and the people of our time need to realize the source of their origination, thus the idea of understanding this could only be earned by knowing from history how the faithful God promised our patriarchs Abraham of a son and of the land of Canaan and how the promise was fulfilled. originally we all must know and believe it for it to be fulfilled in our lives too.

Read Psalm 106:13: what are the dangers of forgetting the great works of God in our lives?

During hard times, we should not slack concerning his promises in our lives, Only personal experience of God's grace can transform a past story into our story, hence we should also keep in mind that God has been there for us, the dangers involved in forgetting the great works of God in our lives is more than any evils darts.

How have you experienced for yourself repentance as a return to God?

To everyone who experiences God's mercy, it is an open opportunity to live a fearful life not to themselves but to God, it is very wrong to sin and run away from the presence of God like Adam and Eve did, but God calls us who have wandered away to return to Him with humility and for restoration.

why should we put everything negative from us and focus on Christ alone?

when we have God alone in our lives there will be no room for other negative terms of tensions to penetrate the heart of a loving Christian, when the heart is consecrated to God then we all have access to the throne of God with boldness, God chooses us is yet another privilege of life advancing in praise and Thanksgiving to God who call us to be His dear children.

In Conclusion,

the warning message to the people of God is to sound aloud, it is expected that we the people of this generation should not be like the antediluvian world who saw the power of God and doubted it,  it is also expected to tell the people of our own Generation especially those who may have forgotten how God delivered our Prophets and patriarchs like Abraham, Hezekiah, David, Jeremiah, Daniel from evils darts and God also is still faithful to us too to deliver us of whatever circumstances we may face in this life despite our unfaithfulness. God wants us to depend on Him and make Him our Helper in times of Trouble in Jesus' name.