First Presbyterian Church

This is the last week for our series, What Does It Mean to Believe? We’ve seen the impact of faith on the lives of two men and two women from the Old and New Testaments, as they each encountered a very real and present God who offered them redemption, blessing, and hope, even in the midst of sometimes devastating circumstances. From God’s perspective, as revealed in Psalm 91, believing means enjoying God’s offer of incredible protection and security. This Sunday Romans 5:6-11 speaks of the accomplishment of Jesus’ death.

This passage brings to mind, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Humanity is in trouble because of sin. We have no predilection toward God, nor can we in some way muster up enough good to help ourselves or even reach up to God. Scripture describes it like this, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way” (Is 53:6a). God had to reach down in an extraordinary means of grace to rescue us from our problem and Romans 5 tells us God did that at just the right time through Christ’s death.

To prepare for Sunday’s message, you might want to read the passage and ponder these questions:

• What does the problem of sin cause for us?
• What/who relieves us of that problem?
• If I believe the truth of God’s love as displayed in this passage, what will it change in my life today? For the future (i.e., when I die)?

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What does it mean to live in the shelter of the Most High? How much time does it take? Is it a daily commitment? What happens if you do or do not do it? These are questions we probably never consider. We just turn to God when we need God. Or, ignore God if we don’t have the time, as if spiritual cultivation was nice, but optional. But, what if spiritual care was just as much a consideration in our life as physical care? Or what if it took the same priority as financial planning for the future?

Let’s say we are intentional about spiritual care. Let’s say we spend time with God just as we might spend time exercising, or in preparing our meals or in taking care of our possessions. It seems that benefits would follow such an effort. Sunday we will look at Psalm 91. In that passage the Psalmist speaks of hope and intimacy and security. The Psalmist also speaks of personal growth and growing strength. Reliance on the Lord seems to set us on a rock that serves us well over the long haul of life.

That’s our part of the equation − abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. But there is another part, and that’s God’s part. This Psalm, although crafted by a person, is God’s voice to us. The words are holy words of devotion and commitment on behalf of God toward those who believe. God’s fidelity to God’s children is sure. We can count on it and enjoy it forever.

To prepare for worship on Sunday, consider taking the following steps:

• Assess your commitment to spiritual nurture.
• How have you grown spiritually over the last six months?
• What spiritual area would you like to grow more in over the next six months? How can you achieve that growth? Set one goal and write it down in order to gauge yourself through the rest of the year.

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