Series: God Is…
Topic: Part 5 — Good
Speaker: Wade Smith, Location Pastor
Date: July 9, 2023
1.) Share a time you heard about something; a place, food or a life event that until you experienced it yourself were you able to fully understand what was being described? Or, have you tried to describe an experience to someone but they just were not ‘getting it’ because they were not there to see, hear, taste, smell and live it for themselves?
2.) God reveals and defines who He is through scripture and the Holy Spirit, and we experience Him in the fullness and goodness of who He is. Even knowing this we often find ourselves asking the question, “If God is so good then why did He…?” Have you ever asked this question? Share a time this has impacted you or those close to you.
Psalm 34:1-22
1 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
3.) Read Psalm 34 above. How does God hear? How does God save? How does God redeem? How is God doing this in your life now to reveal His goodness?