The purpose of these pages is to engage in some group bible-study focussing specifically on the mid-week period of Tuesday to Thursday. We will post some scripture verses, and a few thoughts before throwing the conversation over to you. This is not a teaching session, use the prompts (and Google) to explore scripture and share relevant verses. Log in to the conversation as often or as infrequently as you like and if you wish to join in put your thoughts in the comments box at the bottom of the page.
The right frame of mind
Before you start to dive into this week’s bible-study, take a few moments to calm your spirit. Get comfortable with your beverage of choice, your Bible and something to write with.
Pray that God would give you the time to study and put to one side the concerns of the day. Breathe deeply for a few seconds and focus on who Jesus said he was…. this weeks study once again picks up on the recurring theme of being a child of God…
Covered by the wing
Take a few moments and read through Psalm 91. As usual, having read it through, do it again pausing between each phrase to ponder and reflect on the meaning
We heard much from this Psalm during the (Covid-19) season as it contains references to pestilence and plague, but it also contains a beautiful picture of what it is to be a child of God in verse 4. This is then expanded on in the remainder of the Psalm.
This study was inspired by a daily reading from a few days ago where the author wrote…
“Every person who has ever lived has a deep, inner need to be covered. Including me and you.
See, humans were originally created to be covered by God. They didn’t need clothes or houses. They lived in a garden, and they were naked–but not ashamed. They didn’t feel naked.
But when Adam and Eve fell into sin, they lost their covering and suddenly felt ashamed.”
If you have ever watched ducklings when they are very young, they will stand and walk underneath their mother, to the point where you sometimes can’t see them at all. ‘The secret place, or under the shadow’ They take comfort in being covered. Do you ever feel uncovered? Think of situations where you are uncomfortable because you feel/felt ‘uncovered or exposed’. It doesn’t matter whether you have clothes on or not. You can feel naked and uncovered with or without clothes. Maybe you are going through uncertain times, or venturing into the unknown is some way – make a list.
It’s not a nice feeling to be exposed and vulnerable, but the Psalm reassures us that we are protected from all manner of unpleasant circumstances. It is however conditional….
What is meant by verse 1? What does it mean to ‘Dwell in the shadow of the most High’ and say ‘The Lord is my refuge and my fortress’ Rom 10, Mark 16:16, Rom 12:1-2, Nahum 1:7
The salvation purchased for us by Christ’s blood on the cross provides the covering and ensures our final destination. It is sufficient. Having said that, the conditional phrase of this Psalm ‘dwells’ suggests an action on our part. The verse in the King James translation says…
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
We are taken back to the picture of the duckling who is capable of walking out from under the shadow and wandering off. What is it to live – to dwell – under the shadow, permanently? In the secret place. How do you learn to walk under the brooding shadow of the Holy Spirit? Take a few minutes and write down some suggestions. You could even score yourself out of five on each suggestion and come back to them in a month, having made a resolution to improve the scores.
Here are a few suggestions you may have thought of…
- Spend time in the word / scripture – read verses and then spend time praying about that verse and how it affects you. Pray for understanding and practical application.
- Take time to memorise scripture, for those times when you will need it.
- Be aware of what is going on around you and ask the Holy Spirit to prompt you and show you opportunities.
- Be generous with your time and talents
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