Mixtapes Reading Plan – W4D1

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Mixtapes Reading | Week 4 | Day 1

Prayer

As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself today.

Bible Reading: Psalm 10

Read these verses three times slowly.

Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises.
He boasts about the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
His ways are always prosperous;
your laws are rejected by him;
he sneers at all his enemies.
He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.”
He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”

His mouth is full of lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.
He lies in wait near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent.
His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
like a lion in cover he lies in wait.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless;
he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.
He says to himself, “God will never notice;
he covers his face and never sees.”

Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked man;
call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
that would not otherwise be found out.

The Lord is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that mere earthly mortals
will never again strike terror.

Reflection

By Heather Lee

This week, we are going to look at Psalms of Lament. The practice of lament is expressing our pain to God and then finding comfort in the truths of His character and promises. It is a form of prayer and praise to draw us closer to God during our pain and suffering. We are guaranteed to experience pain in this life, but we have a God who understands and is with us no matter what we go through. We pray that you can read through these songs of lament that God shows you where He is and the truth about His character.

Have you ever felt like God was distant or even silent? Or maybe you find yourself asking where He is when bad things happen. Psalm 10 begins with the psalmist asking the same thing. In times of trouble or suffering, we easily blame God or feel He doesn’t care about what we’re experiencing. But this is when we must turn our focus from what others are doing and look to where God is. We can confidently believe God hears our prayers, will bring justice, and is king forever. God is not distant; He does not stand far off. He sent Jesus to earth to bring justice for all our sins. As you pray today, bring God your questions, trouble, and pain; He hears your prayers. Trust that He is a God who brings justice and mercy and is the only king who lasts forever.

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?