Answering God: “The Lord Gives Us Courage”

Passage: Psalm 108
Guide for Group Discussion or Personal Reflection

Sermon Summary

Psalm 108 is a psalm of courage, in which David “answers God” with courageous hope, and praise, and expectation, even before his victory was certain. In between his fearless opening expression in verse 1 to his confident closing statement in verse 13, David shows us where true courage really comes from.

First, courage comes through lament & pain. Psalm 108 is actually composed of quotations from two songs of lament, Psalms 57 and 60, both of which were written during times of deep anxiety and stress in David’s life. We need to “give lament its due” in our lives, and engage with God during these hard times, because doing so deepens our trust in God, and bolsters our courage as a result. Courage also comes through praise. In Psalm 108, David aggressively praises God, even while the results of his battle were still uncertain. Praise leads to courage because praise opens up space for God to intervene, and also helps us to take our eyes off of ourselves, reminding us that something bigger is at stake than our own self-protection. Courage is about losing yourself in a cause greater than yourself. Finally, courage comes through trusting in God’s promises. In the psalm, David clings to specific promises God had made promising victory over enemy nations. Jesus himself courageously faced death to prove just how trustworthy God’s promises to us are. God’s own courage always comes before ours!

Sermon Outline

  • Courage Comes Through Lament & Pain (Psalms 57 & 60)
  • Courage Comes Through Praise (vs. 2-5; 10-13)
  • Courage Comes Through God’s Promises (vs. 7-9)

Group Discussion & Personal Reflection Guide

Re-read the passage (Psalm 108)

Q) INTRO: Can you think of an example of a Christian(s) in your life who you consider to be courageous? What makes them courageous? Would you consider yourself a courageous person?

Courage Comes Through Lament & Pain (Psalms 57 & 60)

Q) Psalm 108 is made up of quotations from Psalm 57 and Psalm 60, both of which can be considered psalms of lament. Take some time to read or skim these two psalms, either individually or as a group. Where do you see David lamenting in these psalms? How does David mix together laments, with petitions, with expressions of confidence in God?

Q) Pastor Bobby said that we need to embrace times of hardship and pain in our lives, and engage with God in them, because this will deepen our trust in God, resulting in courage. Have you ever experienced a time where walking with God through a season of hardship has made you into a more courageous person? If so, when?

Courage Comes Through Praise (vs. 2-5; 10-13)

Q) Re-read verses 1-5, where David praises God. What adjectives would you use to describe the attitude with which David praises God?

Q) Re-read verses 10-13. What do these verses tell us about the circumstances David was in, while he was praising God? Particularly, how had the battle been going so far?

Q) Pastor Bobby pointed out that David praised God, even before the battle had been won, and long before victory was certain. How easy do you find it to praise God, when you’re still in the middle of painful or anxious circumstances?

Q) Pastor Bobby said that one of the reasons praising God gives us courage is because it takes our focus off of ourselves and turns our focus to God, and what God’s doing. Why do you think we often become timid and anxious when we focus on ourselves too much? Have you ever experienced this?

Q) Re-read verse 5. What does David care most about? How does living for God’s glory and fame make us into courageous people? (NOTE: Answer the first question first and see that David cares most about God “being exalted” and his glory filling the earth. Then ask the second question about how this makes us courageous.)

Courage Comes Through God’s Promises (vs. 7-9)

Q) Courage also comes through trusting God’s promises. Where in Psalm 108 do you see David trusting in specific promises God had made? What had God promised to do?

Q) Is there a certain situation you’re facing right now, where you need courage in order to be obedient to Jesus? If so, is there a specific promise from God you might trust, in order to give you courage? (NOTE: If one can’t think of a specific promise that applies to the situation they’re facing, share the situation anyway, and see if others might help you think of a promise of God that applies.)

Q) Pastor Bobby said that before we ever show courage in trusting God’s promises, we need to remember the courage that Jesus himself showed, in order to fulfill God’s promises. How did Jesus himself show courage? How does remembering and resting on Jesus’ own courage increase our own courage? (NOTE: If you have time, you might read 2 Cor 1:20: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “yes” in Christ.”)

Additional Application Questions

Q) How else would you like to engage with God this week?

Q) How can you tangibly care for those in your community this week, both inside and outside of the church?

Prayer

Spend time praying for yourselves, our church community, the North Shore community, and our nation and world—particularly those most vulnerable.

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