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To Listen to God

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat. The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19 NLT 

Listening to God isn’t just…

With my ears but with my whole self

They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. Psalm 19:3-4 NLT

For information but transformation

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. Psalm 19:7a NLT

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 CSB

Listening to God…

Leads me to Jesus

You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.” John 5:39-40 NLT

Begins with meditating on scripture

But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. Psalm 1:2 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a moment to still yourself before God. If possible, get outside and into a beautiful spot. Slowly read through Psalm 19. Thank God for the way he has designed nature - its systems and order, but also its beauty and “wildness”. Confess any sin or dark areas that may exist in your heart. Lay these before God, asking him to forgive you and to remove them from you. Consider the purity of God’s ways shown in nature and invite God to work the in same way in your heart. Close your time with a simple prayer of praise. Thank God for the beauty of nature, and invite him to make your heart and your life even more beautiful than the best sunset, the most striking mountain range, or the most serene lake. Sit in that moment for a while, and then close your time by thanking God for the time you just shared together.

Discussion Questions

  1. What stood out to you in your personal Bible reading time this week? What have you learned about God or yourself so far?
  2. In what places or ways does connecting with God come most naturally to you?
  3. Have someone in the group read Psalm 19 aloud. What connections between nature and God’s word stand out most to you?
  4. Has there been a time where you heard something from God (i.e. in scripture, through another person, etc.) where you weren’t just informed about something but it actually changed the way you thought, felt or acted? Share your experience with the group. How did that change things for you moving forward?
  5. The author of Psalm 19 talks about sin lurking in his heart, and asks God to cleanse him from hidden faults (Psalm 19:12-13). What role does confession play in hearing from God? Who in your life do you feel comfortable confessing your sins to?
  6. What role does meditating on scripture play in hearing from God? End your group time by encouraging each other to keep up with the daily readings from the 60 Days Bible reading plan.