2-4-24 (Barrett Coffman) The Father’s Hands

Psalm 31

1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into my hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth. 6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. 8 You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. 9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. 10 My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. 11 Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of all my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends - those who see me on the street flee from me. 12 I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. 13 For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life. 14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. 16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. 17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. 18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. 19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. 20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. 21 Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city, 22 In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. 23 Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (NIV 84)

FROM THE LESSON

Shaquille O'Neal has some of the biggest hands in the history of the NBA. His hands are 10.25 inches in length and 12 inches in width.

Jeremiah used the phrase "terror on every side" six times in his writings: Jeremiah 6:25, 20:3, 20:10, 46:5, 49:29, Lamentations 2:22.

The "cross trilogy" in the Psalms is made up of Psalm 22, Psalm 31, and Psalm 69. These three psalms uniquely bring us close to the heart of Jesus when he was on the cross. 

The Hebrew word translated as "spirit" in verse 5 literally is the word for breath. Jesus is entrusting his every breath into the hands of His Father. 

Wisdom about suffering: "I will never get over this sadness, but I trust the Lord will carry me through it." 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Icebreaker (optional): Use a measuring tape or ruler to see who has the largest hands in your group. Length is measured from the bend of the wrist to the top of the middle finger and width is measured from your outstretched pinky to your outstretched thumb.

2. The Psalms are an incredible resource for the church. This collection of prayers and songs have given us words to say when we don't know what to say; words to pray when we don't know what to pray. Can you think of a time in your life when the psalms have blessed you in this way? Share with your group. 

3. The phrase from Psalm 31 that Jeremiah repeats six times in his writings is from verse 13, "terror on every side." Read verses 9 and 10 of Psalm 31. Highlight the words that David used to describe his circumstance. Can you think of a time in your life when you have felt similar to David in these verses, like you are surrounded on every side by suffering? Share with your group. 

4. Jesus' final words on the cross are taken from Psalm 31:5, "Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit." How might this prayer specifically minister to someone who is suffering?

5. This bit of wisdom about suffering was shared with me this week, "I will never get over it, but I trust the Lord will get me through it." Discuss this perspective on suffering with your group. 

6. The final verse of Psalm 31 in the Message reads, "Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon." I summarized Eugene Peterson's words in this way: "Don't give up. Expect God to show up." How might this message encourage someone in their suffering? Discuss with your group.