Living the Lesson: Bonding Makes Lasting Relationships (Part II)

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Related Posts:  Bonding Makes Lasting Relationships, Living the Lesson: Bonding Makes Lasting Relationships (Part I)

Psalm 10:17,18 -  “You hear oh Lord the desire of the afflicted, you encourage them, you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed.”

  • In your family of origin, if you came crying about your affliction, how did your dad/mom respond to you?
  • How do you respond now to your husband/wife and your children when they are emotional?
  • Of the four components of comfort and care that God shows us, what do you do best for your family?
    • Hear them out
    • Encourage them
    • Listen to their cries
    • Go to bat for them (defend)

Psalm 18:6 – “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.  From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”

  • What does it mean to you that God who created this universe and still runs it, is not too busy to hear you out?
  • If you quickly read God’s response to my cries (v. 7-15), you note his anger is directed to your problem-maker!  Now read v. 16-19.  How does he say he responds to your cries?

Psalm 22:1-11

  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from saving me,
    so far from my cries of anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
    by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
    you are the one Israel praises.
4 In you our ancestors put their trust;
    they trusted and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved;
    in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,
    scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
    they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
    “let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
    since he delights in him.”

9 Yet you brought me out of the womb;
    you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
10 From birth I was cast on you;
    from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

11 Do not be far from me,
    for trouble is near
    and there is no one to help.

  • Do you ever feel like the author in verses 1-2?
  • Does it always help to hear how God helped others (v. 4-5)?
  • What does the author think of himself (v. 6)?
  • Do you ever have others, or even yourself,  question your faith and/or your God?
  • From verses 9-11,  how long does the author see God involved in life?   Does that help now?

Related Posts:  Bonding Makes Lasting Relationships, Living the Lesson: Bonding Makes Lasting Relationships (Part I)

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