FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

 – AUTUMN 2002

WALKING WITH GOD - Reflecting on the Psalms

Oct 22/24

(4) Psalm 73: ‘How I once almost lost my hold on Him.’

Introduction;

 This Psalm is a prayer arising from anguish. The psalmist struggles within himself as to how to understand and appropriately respond to the evil and injustice in the world. It is a moving autobiographical reflection on these difficult things, recounting how in it all he almost lost his faith. But the turning point comes and his perspective and faith are restored. "It is the tale of a heart seduced and then healed…. and restored to fellowship" with the Lord.

• 73.1-16: THE PSALMIST’S PROBLEM REHEARSED

1-3:THE PROBLEM THE PSALMIST STRUGGLES WITH.

• In these opening verses the psalmist summarises the problem that almost caused him to lose his faith. How would you sum it up and express it?

How would you express it in terms of life in the world today?

4-12: THE ‘PROSPERITY ‘ (shalom) THE WICKED ENJOY

• What things ‘get to him’ about the life and lot of those who live breaking all the moral rules. Summarise them.
• What similar ‘outrages’ and ‘injustices’ can we see around us today? What ‘gets to you’?

13-16: THE (SPIRITUAL) PAIN THE PSALMIST EXPERIENCES

• What particular problems did is pose for the psalmist’s faith and spiritual life? How painful to him was this?
• Have you ever known the sort of ‘spiritual disorientation’ the Psalmist experienced? What caused it for you?
• To whom did he feel he could speak about all this inner turmoil? Why was this so?

Do you ever feel you can’t share your inner struggles with others? What makes you feel like that? Is it right to stay silent? How painful an experience is it?

• 73.15-26: THE PSALMIST’S PERSPECTIVE RESTORED

It is as the Psalmist in a moment of revelation contemplates his God in the sanctuary that the spiritual fog lifts. His perspective is restored, he sees clearly and his soul ‘sings’ again.

HIS PERSPECTIVE ON HIS PROBLEM – 73.17-20, 23-26

• What two very different but very important considerations serve to transform the psalmist’s perspective? (That is, what two spiritual realities about the wicked and himself dawn on his heart and deliver him from his ’spiritual’ disorientation?)
• Do these two things both carry great weight and importance with you?
• Talk together about the psalmist’s personal relationship with God: how does he describe it? How deep and real was it? How much of a deprivation to lose it?
• Do we know such a real and personal relationship?

HIS PERSPECTIVE ON HIMSELF – 72.21-22

• When he is through his problem and looks back on himself as he struggled, how does he see himself during that time?
• Do you understand this?

• 73.27-28: THE PSALMIST’S ‘POISE’ REGAINED
• In ending his psalm, the psalmist reiterates the 2 great truths on which his life is founded, that are his steady position and give his life spiritual ‘poise’. What are they? (How do they echo the first verse?)

- How would you describe the great spiritual truths that form a firm spiritual foundation for your feet amidst the storms of life?