Remember and Be Comforted: An Outline
Remember and Be Comforted: An Outline
Reflecting on the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Three Days after Sunday (Year C)
Scripture (semicontinuous)
Psalter: Psalm 119:49-56
Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:1-13
Gospel: Matthew 19:16-22
Scripture (complementary)
Psalter: Psalm 62
Old Testament: Hosea 12:2-14
Gospel: Matthew 19:16-22
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Prayer
God Eternal, you inspired Jeremiah to buy a piece of land when no one could see a future in it. Grant us such commitment to the future of your people, that you will always have workers for your vineyard and harvesters for your fields. Amen.
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Reflection
This is my comfort in my distress,
that your promise gives me life (Psalm 119:50).
from TrustAndObey.com
Summary- We have hope in the God’s promises, which He won’t forget. My comfort in affliction is that His word has revived me. Though the arrogant mock me, yet I will not leave His word. I comfort myself with His past deeds and promises. Zeal for His word causes me to be angry at the wicked who turn away from His word. I will sing of His scripture as I go through life. Day and night, I keep your law, which I have made my own.
Central Teaching- His word brings comfort in the midst of the oppression of the wicked.
Key words- hope, comfort, affliction, remember, wicked,
Key Verse- 119:50
Ten things this passage says-
He helps me remember His word.
He has made me hope in His word.
My comfort in my affliction is that His word has revived me.
The arrogant utterly deride me.
Persecution should not cause me to turn away from His law.
His word is not a new thing. It is ancient, tried and true.
I am comforted by His ancient words.
I should be angry when the wicked forsake His law.
I sing of His laws as I go, making it my own as I remember it in the night.
As I remember His word, I obey it
Ten things this passage does NOT say-
I remember His word myself, because I’m so amazing.
My hope is in people or circumstances.
My comfort in affliction comes from thoughts of revenge, or the idea that hard times will soon be over.
I can expect general approval and praise from those I meet.
Hard times understandably will turn me away from the Lord’s word.
God’s word is new, and full of new ideas.
Wicked people who forsake God’s law don’t really deserve God’s judgment. They’re basically good people, and we shouldn’t call attention to their wicked deeds.
God’s words are dry, joyless, and useless.
I can do whatever I want in the night, when no one is watching, as long as I obey in public.
His word is not personal for me.
What does this passage teach me about God?
He brings His word to our minds.
He causes us to hope.
He comforts in affliction and revives us.
He is steadfast.
He is ancient and unchanging.
He is wrathful over sin.
He desires our obedience.
He is real and personal to us; day and night, He is there.
Questions-
What is the psalmist asking the Lord to remember? V49
Why do you think he’s asking Him to remember it? V49
What attitude is the psalmist showing in this request? V49
Why do we hope in His Word? V49
What hope do we have, based on His Word? V49
What is our comfort in affliction? V50
What is the source of our revival? V50
How can the Word revive us? V50
What does it mean to be revived? V50
What are some things we often look to for revival that fail? V50
How are the arrogant people going to treat us? V51
Why would they deride, or mock us? V51
What should be our response to their derision? V51
How can we keep from turning aside from God’s law? V51
What should we do with God’s ordinances? V52
Why does it mention that they are “from of old”? V52
Why are His ordinances comforting? V52
What reason would the fact that they are ancient comfort us especially? V52
How should we respond to the wicked’s forsaking of His law? V53
Why is this kind of anger proper and right, when some other types of anger are not? V53
How should we deal with these feelings of anger? V53
Can you think of an example of Jesus feeling this kind of anger and responding to it? V53
What does it mean that his “statutes are my songs”? V54
What is the house of our pilgrimage? V54
What attitude is shown by this verse? V54
When should we remember the Lord’s name? V55
Why is night mentioned specifically here? V55
What connection does remembering His Word have to keeping His law? V55
What attitude does this verse display towards the Scriptures? V56
Why is it important that they have become our own? V56
What action follows the personalization of God’s Word? V56
PRAYER: Holy God, you reach out in love through Jesus Christ to save us so that we may live as faithful servants of you alone. Unchain us from our desire for wealth and power so that we may, in turn, release others from the prisons of poverty, hunger, and oppression. Amen.
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