MORNING REFLECTION
READY: Prepare yourself to read this psalm by asking God to make your soul thirst for Him.
READ: Read through the text twice. Ask God that your thirst for Him would increase with each reading. This psalm talks about deep calling to deep. Ask God that the psalm would touch you deeply.
REFLECT: The psalm twice quotes this stanza and it is quoted once more in 43. “Why are you cast down, why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”
Scripture repeats things to show their importance. Why are these verses important for you?
REPENT: Tears have been the psalmist’s food and he says it is because the people are continually asking him, ‘Where is your God?’ The psalmist even begins to ask God in v. 9, ‘Why have you forgotten me?’ In v.10 his adversaries ask him continually ‘Where is your God?’ Accusation and discouragement seem to be related. Spend time repenting of how these two have gotten ground in your heart.
REJOICE: How are hope and praise related? Spend time praising God and take a spiritual temperature to see if hope rises after a time of praise.
EVENING READING Mark 10:46-52
46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 48Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 49Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ 50So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher,* let me see again.’ 52Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
EVENING REFLECTION
READY: Jesus asked blind Bartimaeus a question. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Prepare yourself for this passage by asking yourself this question.
READ: Read the text twice. Picture the story as you read it and ask God to make the story come alive to you.
REFLECT: When Bartimaeus knew that Jesus was there, he began to shout. The text says that they sternly ordered him to be quiet but he refused and he cried out all the more. Reflect on a situation where there is someone trying to silence you as you cry out to God. What do you so need Jesus to do that you refuse to quit crying out to Him?
REPENT: Blind Bartimaeus is a picture of perseverance even in the face of obstacles. Repent for any times when you have given up on your healing or pursuing God when others have tried to discourage you? Jesus told the blind man that his faith had made him well. His faith connected him to healing. What does your faith connect you to?
REJOICE: The disciples told Bartimeaus take heart, “He is calling you.” Praise God for the many times He has answered your calling out to Him by calling you.
