Join us as we journey through the book of Genesis
Simple reflections based on reading.
As we seek God together through Scripture.
(See our Facebook page Journeying through for past reflections)
Psalm 8
1 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory
in the heavens. 2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour. 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
I wonder how many of you like me find themselves singing, ‘O Lord my God, how majestic is your name.’ as you begin reading this Psalm, which is one that features more than some others in worship services. This is an uplifting Psalm, beginning rightly with praise to God and acknowledging his greatness. There is a sense of wonder at all that God has done. I feel tiny in the light of all that God has created, and wonder that he cares about me – but the Bible teaches that he does! This Psalm very much reflects God as creator and our God who cares about each and every human being. In Genesis, we were tasked with looking after the world which God has made and in which we live. We haven’t done very well. Consider the vastness of all that God has made. The responsibility that he has given to us to care for the world and for each other. Praise him and consider what you can do to make a difference in your corner of the world.
Psalm 7
1 Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
2 or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3 Lord my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands— 4 if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe— 5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. 6 Arise, Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies.Awake, my God; decree justice. 7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you, while you sit enthroned over them on high. 8 Let the Lord judge the peoples. Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. 9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts. 10 My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day. 12 If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. 13 He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows. 14 Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made. 16 The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads. 17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
In the Psalms so far one theme I pick up is that of enemies. The writer (many are attributed to David) is certainly often found to be in dire circumstances as he flees for his life. That sense is present in today’s Psalm as he speaks of refuge and being saved from those who are pursuing him. This is something that many of us may not relate to specifically, but we all have times where we need rescuing from situations and/or protecting from environments or people that would cause us harm. The Psalmist does use vivid language, and this may help some of us in our own prayers and appeals to God. God loves to listen to us, and we all express ourselves differently. This prayer includes if….then…. That is a valid approach in prayer. Sometimes we may have caused harm unintentionally, this prayer covers such eventualities. There is an appeal for justice. An appeal for judgement and fairness. An acknowledgement of God as protector, and righteous judge and the one with ultimate control. There are consequences for those who act against God. Those who follow his ways can and should rejoice for all he has done for us.
Psalm 6
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. 3 My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. 5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave? 6 I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. 7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.8 Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. 9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. 10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.
A psalm very much full of contrition and an appeal for acceptance and forgiveness. I wonder how often any of us have ever felt desperate and fallen on to God for help and solace? It is a good thing to do. There are times when we have no idea what to do in a given situation, and the only solution is to appeal to God. I often wonder how people cope in such situations if they are not Christians – perhaps in those moments, they too pray to God, despite not acknowledging him ordinarily. We know that God is gracious. He does listen to those who come to him in faith and in need. The Psalmist knows this too. He knows that God hears, he accepts, he protects and that prayers are answered. Is that true for us?
Psalm 5
1 Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. 2 Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. 5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; 6 you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest. 7 But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple. 8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me. 9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.
10 Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. 11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. 12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favour as with a shield.
Let’s reflect on our own connection with God. The Psalmist speaks of laying requests before God in the morning and appeals for God to listen to his cry for help. This speaks of timing and situation and subject matter. When we need help, is God our first point of call, or do we spend much time and effort seeking and implementing possible solutions and getting advice from others before thinking about asking God? The Psalmist then moves on to those who oppose God, while at the same time seeing himself as someone who can approach God in an appropriate way. Verse 8 is probably very familiar: ‘8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me.’ Then back to chastising language about God’s opposers. Then back again to those who honour God (including himself) – language about taking refuge in God and singing for joy and receiving his protection. Despite being in desperation, the Psalmist comes to God, is open with God and ends acknowledging God’s blessing, favour and protection for those who are righteous. Do we relate to this approach? May we be led in God’s righteousness and may God go before each one of us as we seek and follow him.
Psalm 4
1 Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? 3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;the Lord hears when I call to him. 4 Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. 5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. 6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. 7 Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. 8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, or you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
What do we do when we are in distress? What do you do? The Psalmist calls upon God, which is so easy to miss doing. Instead of being overtaken by our feelings (even if they are valid), Christians are encouraged to draw near to God at such times. Whatever your need at such times, tell God all about it. This prayer seems to wander a bit between an appeal in distress and acknowledgement of God’s protection. This happens a lot in the Psalms – the swing between desperation and celebration. It is encouraging to know that it is ok to be real with God. The Psalmist asks God for relief and mercy. There is also a sense of frustration on the part of the writer about the behaviour of those around him. There is encouragement to seek God and be obedient. To trust in God who provides and protects. May we do so.
Psalm 3
1 Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” 3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. 4 I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. 5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. 6 I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. 7 Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. 8 From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
Do you sometimes have the feelings expressed in the first verse of this Psalm? There is a level of spiritual maturity when like David you can see God positively in the face of adversity. A shield protects against anything that is thrown or directed at someone. For us, God is that shield, he protects. When we call, he answers. He sustains us every day of our lives. Fear is something that many suffer with. The command not to fear features many times in the Bible. ‘“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’ Isaiah 43:1. The Psalm writer seems to have overcome his fear, and it is something for us all to seek – freedom from fear. There are some strong images here, but the idea is relevant to us. Coming to God in the tough times, trusting him to act and believing in his salvation.
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron;you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
This Psalms starts with a very good question. It is an age old ongoing problem. Nation rising against nation and those with power rising up against God’s people. God is in control. God is not impacted by the rebellious ways of mankind. He already has a plan which is unfolding through Christ. Key words in verse 8: ‘Ask me….’ On a national and international level those with power and authority always have the choice to serve God or not. There are consequences for those who choose their own ways and their own path without God. Eventual destruction. Individually we too always have the choice to serve God or not. The same consequences can apply. Know that in this world of chaos, God has not forgotten us and his compassion is real. We are to take refuge in him. He is with us, and when we rely on him we are blessed.
Monday 1st June 2026. Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
This is a rather beautiful Psalm. Beginning with a description of someone who is blessed, followed by a description of what that may look like. There is a contrast drawn between the righteous and the wicked and the different consequences that await each. We can make choices about who we mix with and who we allow to influence us – those that give us a good example to follow and those who would lead us astray. We are also given guidance on how to do the right thing – by meditating on the law of the Lord, we are told day and night. The righteous prosper, but the wicked do not – even though it may seem that they get away with their wrong deeds. It is good to know that God watches over us, those of us who seek to do the right thing. There are always consequences for sin. Jesus saves us for eternity, yet we still need to live lives that are worthy of him and so that our fruitfulness may be seen.
needed. What a great position to be in! Everyone was involved and contributed, either by bringing materials or using skills and gifting. This work would have taken some time, which will be evident when you read through the materials needed and the dimensions given by God. In our own contexts, what can we learn about generosity and working together? Is there something that God requires of us that involves generosity and obedience and the use of our gifts and skills? In 1 Peter 4 we read: ‘10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’
e mountain and said, ‘This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.’ 7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, ‘We will do everything the Lord has said.’ So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord. 9 The Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.’ Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
Today is an example of God building a relationship with his people. Moses went up to God and God responded with a message for the people. He gave them a message of hope, and reminded them of what he had done for them up to this point – bringing them out of Egypt, protecting them and leading and guiding them. What God asked of the people then, as today, was obedience and for them to keep their side of the covenant. The nature of their relationship was changing. They were now described as God’s treasured possession – something very special indeed. They were also to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Set apart from all others. The people’s response was to promise that they would do everything that God had said. This opened up the possibilities of a relationship between God and the people never experienced before. God then said that he would allow the people to hear him speaking with Moses, so they would trust him. There is a saying that faith comes by hearing. Listening to God and hearing what he is saying through his word. Note the two-way conversation. Today we have Jesus, with even more to celebrate.
Barlestone Baptist Church 