Psalm 130

I have not posted the outlines from Warren Wiersbe's study in several days because, as much as I liked them, they weren't relevant to where Beth was taking the study that particular day. However, the outlines for Psalm 130 spoke to me, and I want to share them with you.

Wiersbe says that Psalm 130 emphasizes what God does for helpless people who cry out to Him for mercy. No matter what our need, when we call upon the Lord IN FAITH, He hears us and makes the changes needed in our lives.

From Death to Life (vv.1-2)
"The picture is that of a person drowning and unable to stand on the bottom or swim to safety. We can cry out to God from the depths of disappointment and defeat and from the depths of fear and perplexity. Sin drags its victims to the depths, but God made us for the heights."

From Guilt to Forgiveness (vv.3-4)
"The psalmist moved from the sea to the courtroom, but there the sinner could not stand because of guilt. The only way we can get rid of the sin record is to come to God for His gracious forgiveness, and this forgiveness is made possible because of the work of Christ on the cross. But forgiveness is not a blessing to be taken lightly, for it cost God His Son; therefore, we ought to love and fear God. If you take seriously the guilt of sin, you will take seriously the grace of forgiveness. Salvation is a serious and costly transaction."

From Darkness to Light (vv.5-6)
"From the courtroom we move to the city walls where the watchmen are alert as they peer through the darkness to detect the approach of any danger. When the Lord forgives sinners, it is for them the dawning of a new day as they move out of darkness into God's light. If you find yourself forgiven but still in the darkness, wait on the Lord and trust His Word, but do not try to manufacture you own light (Isa. 50:10-11)."

From Bondage to Freedom (vv.7-8)
"The final visit is to the slave market and the theme is redemption, which means 'setting someone free by paying a price.' The slave has no hope, but the child in the family looks forward to receiving an inheritance. All who trust Jesus are children in God's family and not slaves, and their future is secure. Christian believers look forward to the coming of Christ and the redemption He brings."

Dear Friends

Just wanted to share some of my thoughts with you from week four, A Fruitful Vine. Many of you are aware of my recent divorce after 19 years of marriage. Well, it is not so recent anymore. It will be a year on February 28. WOW, that is hard to believe. This past week was very meaningful to me because I could see myself and my situation right in the middle of it. On day two, Enjoy the Blessing, Beth spoke words that I remember speaking so often in the early days of my separation. I spoke these words and on many days these words were what got me through the day. I would often say, "God is not ALL that I have, but WHAT I have!" PRAISE HIM!!!!!

As I worked through this particular day, Beth wrote this: "Blessedness describes the condition of a person who reveres God, steeps her life in Him and follows His ways. She looks to Him in every matter. HE'S NOT JUST THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF HER LIFE. HE IS HER LIFE."

I pray that I will never, ever forget or diminish the fact that..... HE IS WHAT I HAVE!!!!

Forever grateful,
Jan Carpenter