Bible Study Notes 4/22/2025

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ©2025

 Journey in the Psalms: Prayer, Praise and Promise

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Tracy M. Sumner, Psalms: An All-In-One Study on God’s Song Book

Lesson 8 -  Parts 1 & 2

Tues., 15 & 22 April 2025

Lesson 8, Part 1  “Facing Our Fears.” – Fear is an emotion that is experienced by all humans. There are many human responses that can elicit fear. The first persons of Biblical record, Adam and Eve, fled from the presence of God because they told the Creator they were ashamed of their nudity. The nature of their shame was the consequence of their disobedience to God. This overwhelming sense of vulnerability induced fear. David spoke of a different kind of fear. He mentions enemies and foes who sought to destroy him. David reflected on the battles he engaged in when he had to protect the nation from harm. David did not run from his fears, but he shifted his focus on God’s protection. David candidly admits that trouble led him to a sacred space, where He could seek peace with God and renew his strength. Seeking refuge and safety is moving toward the help we desperately need. There were occasions in ancient times, that a person in trouble found safety (sanctuary) with God – provided they did not willfully disobey God’s commands. Joab was commander of Israel’s army but was complicit in trying to forcefully remove the king. He met a tragic death holding on to the altar in the worship sanctuary because of his transgressions. (1 Kings 2:1-28, NLT). David extols God as his “Light” and “Salvation.” By this David meant God “led” him, and the Lord made him safe. Fear is diminished because David’s thoughts and actions have come because of the security God has given him. Even significant losses in life will not deter David from expecting (“waiting with confidence for”) God’s abiding presence. Fears are faced with hope!

Verses &  Observation for Psalm 27:1-14

Observe         Interpret     Apply

(Verses 1-3) – Confidence in God.

(Verse 4) – Desiring God’s Presence.

(Verses 5-6) – Blessings of God’s Abiding Presence.

(Verses 7-10) – Earnestly Seeking God’s Presence.  

(Verses 11-13) – Praying for God’s Guidance.

(Verse 14) – Encouragement to Wait on the Lord.

Lesson 8 Part 2 “Facing Our Fears!”– In Psalm 27, David spoke of not being intimidated by fear because the Lord was His guide (“light”) and protection (“salvation”). The confidence we have as Christians is through our unwavering faith in God. Sometimes this faith is tested, but we can endure such testing through remaining close to God. A deeper fellowship with the Lord throughs the eternal promises in His word – and in seeking intimacy with God through prayer and moments of quiet listening will strengthen our faith and commitment. The Scripture tells us we are prone to become weary at times, but God will give us strength and empower our spirits for the journey. Our hope in God should not wane but Only increase even in moments of trial. Depending on God at all times is a strength of character and not a concession to doubt. Only God gives us a healthy spirit The Apostle James instructs us to, “Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” (James 4:8, NIV). The Lord is never far from us. He is ever-present God. He has reserved strength for us when we remain hopeful! The following passages not only help us face our fears; but we will see them eliminated through our hope in the Lord!

Verse Divisions and Observations for Isaiah 40: 27-31, NIV

Observe        Interpret      Apply

(Verse 27) – God is never hidden from us nor our needs.  

(Verse 28) – God is ever-present and all-powerful.  

(Verse 29) – God gives us strength and power.

(Verses 30-31) – Our hope in God will lift us higher.

Verse Divisions and Observations for Proverbs 3: 5-6, NIV

(Verse 5) – Trust in God must exceed trust in self.

(Verses 6) – We should give our lives fully to God.  

Verse Divisions and Observations for 2 Timothy 1: 7-10, NIV

(Verse 7) – A godly, healthy spirit comes only from God.

(Verse 8) – We should learn from Christ’s suffering.

(Verses 9-10) – We are saved through God’s grace alone.

Verse Divisions and Observations for James 4:7-8, NIV

(Verse 7) – Receive God and resists all forms of evil.

(Verse 8) – Closeness to God gives us protection and peace.

The Key Idea:

What We Believe!

1. Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!”  - Psalm 119:105

Key Verses:

Psalm 27:1-14, KJV

1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid.  2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came on me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion, in the secret of His tabernacle He shall hide me. He shall set me up on a rock.  6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies around me. Therefore, I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. 7 Here, O Lord, when I cry with my voice. Have mercy on me and answer me. 8 When you said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord I will seek.” 9 Do not hide Your face far from me. Do not put Your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.  11 Teach me Your way. O Lord and lead me in a plain path because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me over to the will of my enemies, for false witnesses have risen up against me and those who breathe out cruelty. 13 I would have lost strength, but I believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.”

I John 4:18, NLT

18 “[God’s] love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear; if we are afraid it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.”

Psalm 27:1-14 KJV 

9 “O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the housetops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah. “Your God is coming!  10 Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, He brings His reward with Him as He comes. 11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart.  He will gently lead the mother sheep with her young.”

Isaiah 40:27, NIV 27 “Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, my cause is disregarded by my God?’

Isaiah 40:28, NIV

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.

Isaiah 40:29, NIV

29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV

30 Even youth grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope… …in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.”

Proverbs 3:5, NIV

5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Proverbs 3:6, NIV

 6 In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”

2 Timothy 1:7, NIV

7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:8, NIV

8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner. Rather join… …with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.

2 Timothy 1:9-10, NIV

9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but now it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

James 4:7-8, NIV

7 “Submit yourselves then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and He will come near to you.”