[1] Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, [2] but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. [3] That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers. [4] Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. [5] Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. [6] For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 1
[1] Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you. [2] May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. [3] I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. [4] I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength. [5] I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. [6] You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. [7] Your wrath lies heavily on me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. [8] You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape; [9] my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you. [10] Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do their spirits rise up and praise you? [11] Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction? [12] Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? [13] But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. [14] Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me? [15] From my youth I have suffered and been close to death; I have borne your terrors and am in despair. [16] Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me. [17] All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me. [18] You have taken from me friend and neighbor – darkness is my closest friend.
Psalm 88
Q & A：
- Why lament (suffering) is an integral part of Christian living & how can we prepare for suffering? （Psalm 1；John 15:18-20； Jeremiah 17:8；Matthew 7:24-26；1 Corinthians 15:33）
- What should we do when we go through suffering? （Psalm 88；Romans 8:38-39；Matthew 5:4；James 1:2-4）
- To what extent can we be honest with God in prayer? Discuss the fine line between being honest with God and committing blasphemy. （Matthew 26:38-39,42）
- Discuss your understanding of perseverance in the face of suffering.（Daniel 3:17-18；Romans 8:18；Psalm 150:1-6）
- (Optional): Share your understanding of the Psalter.
Summary：
This week’s sermon was shared by guest speaker George Chang. He takes us on a heartfelt exploration of the Christian walk. While we celebrate moments of thanksgiving and praise, we also face the inevitable valleys—those difficult times that feel like walking through the shadow of death. Drawing from Psalms 1 and 88, we’ll uncover four powerful truths: lament is a vital part of our faith journey, suffering can be fleeting or prolonged, being honest with God in prayer deepens our connection with Him, and perseverance in the midst of suffering strengthens our resolve. This sermon offers a refreshing perspective on how to navigate life’s struggles with faith, hope, and trust in God’s unwavering love. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be inspired and encouraged—join us this Sunday as we dive into these powerful lessons for living out a resilient faith!