Covenant Psalms

God's word is to be passed down to generations for the people to keep on referencing God, know about His purpose and appreciate His work. Psalm 78:5 - He (God) established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children. The followings are discussed: Serve God Only;  celebrate God's Faithfulness, and Teach Truth to Succeeding Generations.

Serve God Only: At various occasions God warned His people to not leave Him and follow after worship of idols. God's warning sometimes came as a plead to the people to flee sinful acts because such acts would corrupt them morally and spiritually, destroy individuals, families and even the nation (Psalm 81:8-12). The warning was to help the people reject the path of destruction and do what would make them receive God's blessing and experience divine intervention.

On the call to return to Him, God implores His people to follow and walk in His ways as obedience to this would bring blessings and lead to victory over the enemies (Psalm 81:13-16). Because God's warning hold true people are enjoined to seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6-7). God shows mercy and forgives sins but will judge those who continue in disobedience.

Celebrate God's Faithfulness: God is faithful to His plan for establishment of a New Covenant through the root of David. The Psalmist celebrated God's faithfulness for the New Covenant that would be fulfilled and which would make it easier for the people to experience true love and mercy of God Psalm 89:1-18). It is obvious that Davidic Covenant through David seed for all generations has been fulfilled through Jesus Christ. God is to be feared and referenced for being truthful to His covenant, and for His power to show mercy and do justice. God should be praised for His power over the creation and love for His people.

Teach Truth to Succeeding Generations: Verses 1 to 3 of Psalm 78 implores people to listen to teachings and meditate on the word of God. Teachings may be presented in parables and often make idea clearer even if it is hidden below the surface. Jesus often made unknown or hidden things known through teachings in parables using ordinary things people could see around and understand.

People are encouraged to pass God's word and command down to generations by teaching children. God's wonderful deeds and testimonies from those He has used to declare His work must be made known to the next generation. In order to achieve this Christians must teach their children the scripture and show them how to trust and obey God (Psalm 78:4-8 ). The scripture reveals the love and power of God, and teaches people the ways of God. Each family and the entire church must be actively involved in teaching the next generation to know and serve God. The scripture reminds us of fulfillment of God's covenant, work of Christ on earth and God's plan for the future.
Lesson texts: Psalm 78:1-8; 81:8-16: 89:1-18.

Wisdom Psalms

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and someone that lives by the Word of God is a wise person. Psalm 128:1 - Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that worketh in his ways. The followings are discussed: Choose righteousness; Avoid Sinful Living, and Establish God Centered Home.

Choose Righteousness: The psalmist describes three levels of participation in sin which seems to be attractive and offer personal satisfaction; but they are set as a trap and lead to spiritual danger. Righteous living is all about keeping God's word in ones heart and meditating on it day and night (Psalm 1:1-3). Christians can become righteous by prayerfully and faithfully studying God's word and obeying what it says. Psalmist describes those who are righteously following God as a tree planted by the river side and which bears fruits in season. This points to God's care and promise for those who make the word of God foundation of their lives and build upon it.

A different experience was described for those who are wicked and separated from God. It is stated that they are like chaff that would be blown away by wind. In order words they are not desirable in God's presence and all their accomplishments will be temporarily (Psalm 1:4-6). The wicked are preserved to the day of judgment when they shall be eternally separated from God and the righteous. God knows the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked shall perish.

Avoid Sinful Living: Psalm 36 also makes it known that those serving God are fundamentally different from those who reject him. While the  righteous seek God's truth and wisdom for living the ungodly dishonor God, make sin part of their lives and believe their own standard of moral living is sufficient for a perfect living (Psalm 36:1-4). Willpower and moral discernment are not adequate to defeat sin and make ungodly person live righteously. Likewise, willpower and moral discernment can not make believers overcome sin and grow in the relationship with God. We should depend on God to overcome sin and experience His faithfulness.

The Psalmist talks about God love for all people irrespective of their spiritual condition. He declares that those who reject God would eventually be treated differently (Psalm 36: 5-12). God's love and blessings are promised for those who have personal knowledge of God and follow His way, but those who reject God would face destruction.

Establish God-Centered Home: Homes are expected to be built on God and children trained the way of God because the first family was instituted by God Whatever comes from the family good or bad flows into the society and will have influence on the nation. Psalmist observes that happenings in the nation can be traced to family responsibilities and calls on the people to trust God and do good (Psalm 127:1-5).

Heads of  families are encouraged to commit their works to God through prayer and depend on Him for success and peace in the homes. Children are the blessings to a family and must be taught that they belong to God, and must be useful for His cause. There must be unity in the family and members must fear God to experience the blessings of fruitfulness, multiplication and peaceful living (Psalm 128: 1-6). These psalms highlight the basic principles for living as wise people. Lesson texts: Psalm 1:1-6; 36:1-12; 128: 1-6.

Psalms of Praise

We God magnify for what he has been doing in our lives and express his sovereignty as the One that fills the heaven and earth through Praise. Psalm 66:8 - O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be known. The followings are discussed: Praise God for His sovereignty; Praise God for Answered Prayer, and Praise God for His work.

Praise God for His Sovereignty:  The way God set out the universe and makes the system work in a remarkable order is far beyond what man can easily draw conclusion.  A solution leading to another problem will always be arrived at as we  try to investigate the work of God. The power to make or cause something to happen belongs to God. When Psalmist considered God sovereignty he was just praising Him for His mighty work and perfect character (Psalm 33: 1-9). The Psalmist opens our hearts to the creative power of God, and to recognize Him as the Source of everything in existence. Modern discoveries and inventions point to creative power behind existing things and systems that work. Man is the brain behind technological advancement just as God is the power moving the universe.

God will give us the power to understand and overcome the work of evil as we move closer to Him in trust and obedience. Whether as a nation or individuals God wants people to recognize and draw close to Him because He sees the hearts and knows what people think. The power of God still works for believers today to triumph over evil just as it worked for children of Israel and gave them victories in numerous battles (Psalm 33:10-22). Circumstances that will threaten our faith will surely arise but we shall overcome by relying on God.

Praise God for Answered Prayer: The Psalm leads us to the mood of praise even if answer to prayer is yet to be received. The essence of doing this is to elevate God and make His desire a reality. If we are able to achieve this God will be pleased to answer our prayers (Psalm 66:1-12). Psalmist make us to understand that God will visit and solve problems of individuals as He intervened and solved problems confronting His chosen nation. Because God judges individual and nation's sins believers must not relent in the effort to call people to repentance and lead them to God's presence where there is forgiveness and mercy, and where problems can be solved through divine guidance ( Psalm 66:13-20).

Praise God for His Work: Psalmist praised God for he is willing to meet spiritual needs and save those putting trust in Him from destruction. He made reference to God's love, patience and forgiveness as what motivate God to withhold punishment for our sins and draw Himself closer to us (Psalm 103:1-12). Christians must not loose sight of the benefits of serving and appreciating the work of God. Psalmist also made it known that we become children of God  when He has forgiven us our sins, and when we are connected to His eternal purpose, having His love in our hearts and acknowledging His works. Psalms 33:1-22; 66:1-20; 103:1-22.

Psalms of Thanksgiving

We owe God thanksgivings and praises for his goodness, love, mercy, grace and provisions in our lives. Psalm 118:1 - O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth forever. The followings are discussed: Thankful for God's forgiveness, Thankful for God's Compassion, and Thankful for God's Enduring Mercy.

Thankful for God's Forgiveness: The Psalmist recognized the ups and downs that characterized his life because of his sinful condition but later on appreciated God for forgiving and restoring his life after repentance. He understood that harbouring and living in sin would result in painful and sorrowful lifestyle (Psalm 32:1-5).

The Psalmist points out that God answers prayer of someone who has repented of sin, turned to God and living in obedience. God answers prayer of a person that has unhindered access to Him. Such person will approach God with confidence knowing that He would secure his life and provide for needs (Psalm 32:6-11). God wants peace of mind and good things for those who turn from their rebellious attitudes to life of righteousness and obedience.

Thankful for God's Compassion: The Psalmist appreciated God for responding to his situation. God met his needs and delivered him from troubles that could have caused moral failure and spiritual  death (Psalm 116: 1-11). He could have fallen for his limitations and deception of people, but was saved as a result of moving closer to God and having the experience of His faithfulness.

Psalmist asked a question about how to repay God for His benefits. Old Testament people would offer different types of  sacrifices and offerings to express gratitude to God for His goodness. They would even pay vows publicly to show their joy and disclose what God had done (Psalm 116:12-19). The Psalmist noted that whatever happens, even if it is something painful should not destroy relationship with God and the joy of serving Him. Christians have learned to present themselves as a living  sacrifice to God from the time Christ's sacrificial death had replaced burnt offerings.

Thankful for God's Enduring Mercy: Here the Psalmist appreciated God concerning proofs of His mercy. He revealed that God will uphold and see a person who depends upon Him through storms of life, even if such storms come as crises from a national leader (Psalm 118:1-21). The Psalmist also appreciated God for the promised Messiah that would come in His name. The One that would reveal His way and bring His salvation to the world. We should continue to appreciate God for His goodness in the past, the present and future provisions. Lesson texts: Psalm 32:1-211;  Psalm 116:1-19; Psalm 118:1-29.

The Church Prevails

The Church has continued to grow and the word of God is increasingly spreading in spite of the war the devil is wagging against the gospel. Acts 12:24 - The word of God grew and multiplied. The followings are discussed. Delivered by Unified Prayer; Surprised by Answered Prayer, and Arrogance Judged; the Church Expands.

Delivered by Unified Prayer: Matters that require divine intervention should be taken to God with a strong belief that He will solve the problems. Acts 12 narrated what Peter passed through in the prison and how God delivered him. Herod Agrippa sent him to the prison with the intention of killing him in the public to please the Jew religious leaders and their followers as he did to James, the brother of John (Acts 12:1-4). He was so determined in getting rid of Peter that he assigned 16 soldiers to watch over him; four  soldiers were to guard him on six-hour shifts.

The members of Jerusalem Church didn't allow the killing of James to stop them from praying earnestly for the freedom of Peter even though it was glaring that the king was determined to kill him. With resilient faith they so much believed in the saving power of God. They had prayed for days but the prayer was answered the night before Herod wanted him executed (Acts 12:5-12). God sent an angel who took Peter out of the prison and made the soldiers unaware of what was happening. Peter thought he was dreaming until the angel led him to the street of Jerusalem and left him to go alone. God is still at work and will answer earnest prayer of the righteous. Christians today must follow the example of the early Christians to keep on trusting God and believe He will answer prayer.

Surprised by Answered Prayer: The believers were so surprised by the way God answered their prayer. Rhoda recognized Peter's voice and was so excited that she went to tell others about his arrival. While others doubted and couldn't believe her faith did not waver (Acts 12:13-15). They said Rhoda must have seen Peter's angel, thinking he had been killed. This kind of belief was according to tradition; it wasn't established in the Bible. God used Peter's miraculous release to strengthen the early Christians who had grappled with life-threatened challenges from enemies of the gospel.  Whatever the challenges Christians are to depend fully on God. He is able to deal with the evil and see us through difficult circumstances.

The Christians testified to God's faithfulness for answering their prayer when they saw Peter waiting at the door. They were full of joy and celebration for answered prayer. Peter didn't see his release as a miracle that should be taken for granted. He was cautious of his stay in the house of the believers and movement through the city of Jerusalem so that he would not be easily pursued and arrested again by the enemies (Acts 12:16-18). Christians must not abuse God's saving grace as they walk through dangers and remain persistent in sharing faith with others.

Arrogance Judged; the Church Expands: God has several ways of dealing with people and getting rid of enemies of His people. Saul was a persecutor of the people of God before Christ met, saved and used him for God's work. The King gave the order for execution of soldiers who guarded Peter but were not aware of his release (Acts 12:19-23). While settling a political dispute Herod couldn't caution the people who were hailing and praising him as a god until an angel of God struck him down. It was recorded that maggots were coming out his body before he died of severe pains. It is sinful for anyone to claim God's authority. God is sovereign and will judge any person claiming His glory.

God empowered the early Church and blessed early Christians for their unwavering faith despite various attacks. Christ had stated that he would build his Church and the gate of hell will never prevail against it. Enemies of the gospel might be trying all they could to stop the Church and greatly increased their evils close to Christ's return but they would not succeed. All that is expected of the Church is to be alive in Christ and active in spreading gospel to save lives. The Church will continue to prevail as we spread the gospel. Lesson text: Acts 12:1-24.

From Persecutor to Preacher

Just as Christ transformed Saul from wicked to godly person, God can transform and make the worst criminal His beloved child. Acts 9: 15 - The Lord said unto him (Ananias), Go thy way: for he ( Paul) is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. The followings are discussed: Life-transforming Encounter with Christ; Commissioned by Christ, and Preaching and Persecuted for Christ.

Life-Transforming Encounter with Christ: If God could save Saul and use him to fulfil His purpose, He can save those we might have considered impossible to be saved. Saul had continued to deliver the murderous task since execution of Stephen and couldn't be stopped from pursuing, arresting and taking christian in bondages to the presence of religious leaders for persecution (Acts 9:1-2). He was very active in the efforts to persecute Christians and stop the gospel from spreading when the risen Jesus confronted him.

As Saul was going in the company of those assigned with him for persecution of Christians, he saw powerful light and heard a voice from heaven asking for the reason he was persecuting the Church (Acts 9:3-9); immediately he knew it was an encounter with the Lord. Jesus could have smitten and destroyed him but he showed mercy and saved him. The merciful and loving God wants sinners to be saved and useful for His service. Jesus identifies with the sufferings of his followers in the course of spreading the gospel just as he identified with and saved sinners while on earth. The Lord meets and uses people for His service based on their knowledge and understanding of His work.

Commissioned by Christ: The Lord had told Saul where he should go and who to meet for his sight to be restored. Meanwhile, the Lord instructed Ananias to meet and pray for Saul so that his sight could be restored, and to be endued with Holy Spirit for the task ahead (Acts 9:10-16). Ananias was frightened, knowing Saul could arrest and torture him, but Jesus had told him that he had chosen Saul to carry out his mission. Ananias obeyed God's command and went ahead to lay hands on the man that would become one of greatest missionaries in Church history. His obedience made it possible for Saul to receive both physical and spiritual healing (Acts 9:17-19). God used Ananias to restore Saul's sight and help him receive the baptism of Holy Spirit.

Preaching and Persecuted for Christ: Saul demonstrated the sincerity of his decision to serve Christ by preaching boldly in synagogues where enemies of the Early Church had gathered against Christians (Acts 9:20-25). Members of synagogues were surprised and troubled to see Paul's zeal and pursuit of his newfound faith in Christ. Paul justified his teachings that Jesus is the Messiah with Old Testament prophesies. Only Old Testament was available for early Christians to know and hold unto the truth about God's plan to send the Messiah and renew the covenant. Saul's knowledge and understanding of the Old testament helped in his writing and presentation of messages of the New Testament.

The religious leaders made attempts to kill Saul and stop his ministry in Damascus and Jerusalem but he was saved by the believers. Saul couldn't be stopped from preaching the gospel (Acts 9:26-30). He went to places proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. He preached the gospel in Damascus, Jerusalem and Arabia and then returned to Tarsus (Turkey), his hometown. Saul was dedicated to preaching and sharing the good news anywhere he went following his conversion. Lesson texts: Acts 9:1-31.

Living and Dying for Christ

Good character, righteous living, the power of Holy Spirit and steadfast faith are required to hold onto Christ from the time of one's salvation to death. Acts 6:8 - Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. The followings are discussed: Empowered to Save; Falsely Accused, and First Christian Martyr.

Empowered to Serve: The Early Church was growing larger as new members were being added. It got to a time when spiritual leaders and facilities were no longer adequate to meet needs of the people. Seemly uneven distribution of aid resulted in complaints by the Grecian believers against Hebrew believers (Acts 6:1-7). The apostles offered sensible solution to the controversy by asking the followers to appoint men of impeccable character that would oversee and make provision for physical and spiritual needs. The seven men chosen were prayed for and assigned leadership roles. The roles of deacons in churches today should be same as the chosen leaders of the early Church. Deacons are expected to be spirit-filled believers, support pastors and use their God-given talent to advance the cause of gospel.

The work of the first deacons didn't end in meeting physical needs, the men were effective in other areas of the ministry. Stephen was dignified by great wonders and miracles done through him (Acts 6:8 ). He was full of faith and enabled by the power of Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim gospel and perform miracles. God is willing and will release His Spirit for believers to minister and confirm his word with miracles (Mark 16:17-20).

Falsely Accused: Stephen's ministry was challenged in the synagogue as he was presenting Jesus and giving the accounts of persecution of the Old testament prophets. Some Jewish people felt guilty of his presentation that they wanted him dead (Acts 6:9-10). They alleged that Stephen contravened the law of Moses, said Jesus would change the custom and therefore should be put to death (Acts 6:11-15; Leviticus 24:16).  Stephen was unruffled by the Council's decision over the false charge against him. There was peace within him as his face appeared as the face of an angel. God will uphold those who rely on Him in the times of trouble (Luke 12:11-12; 1 Peter 2:20-23; Mathew 5:10-11).

First Christian Martyr: Stephen presented a defence which gave the account of Israel's attitude towards the prophets, including the ones that foretold the coming of the Messiah (Acts 7:51-54). They were so troubled by Stephen's word and ground their teeth in rage. Stephen made it known that the people were not better than heathen gentiles for rejecting the prophets and Jesus as the Messiah. Stephen testified to presence of Christ and the glory of God as he was being dragged out to be killed (Acts 7:55-60). He asked Jesus to receive his spirit and that Lord should forgive his murderers.  It was recorded that Saul who was later converted and named Paul was part of the Council that approved Stephen's execution.