JUNE 18, 2024
READ: Psalm 68 (Focus vs. 3-6 &19)
MEMORY VERSE
“God sets the lonely in families.” Psalm 68:6
BACKGROUND
Holly Cooke didn’t have one single friend when she moved to London for a job. Her weekends felt miserable. The city itself tops the list for feeling blue—with 55 percent of Londoners saying they’re lonely, according to a global survey, compared to just 10 percent of residents in neighborly Lisbon, Portugal.
For connection, Holly defied her fears and formed a social media group called The London Lonely Girls Club—and some thirty-five thousand have joined. Small-group meetups every few weeks offer park picnics, art lessons, jewelry workshops, dinners, and even outdoor exercise sessions with puppies.
The challenge of loneliness isn’t new, nor is the Healer of our feelings of isolation. Our eternal God, wrote David, “sets the lonely in families; he leads out the prisoners with singing” (Psalm 68:6).
Asking God to point our way to Christlike friends is a holy privilege and, thus, a request we can freely take to Him. “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling” (v. 5), added David. “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens” (v. 19).
What a friend we have in Jesus! He grants us forever friends, starting with the glorious presence of Himself every moment. As Holly says, “Friend time is good for the soul.”
By: Patricia Raybon
INSIGHT
Psalm 68 begins with words similar to Numbers 10:35: “Rise up, LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.” Moses prayed this “whenever the ark set out” as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness toward the promised land.
Because of this, scholars say David wrote this psalm as he moved the ark from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem (1 Samuel 7:2; 2 Samuel 6). The Israelites probably sang it as a victory song in their subsequent battles against their enemies.
The psalmist affirms that God fights on behalf of His people (Psalm 68:1-3; see Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30). He celebrates God’s presence, power, protection, provision, and providential care for Israel, recalling how
He led them safely through the wilderness into their inheritance. To show how much He cares for them, David highlights His compassion and care for the helpless—orphans, widows, the oppressed—people whom society ignores (Psalm 68:5-6).
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
What do you enjoy about friendship with Jesus? What does He teach you about being a forever friend to others?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Asking God to point our way to Christlike friends is a holy privilege and, thus, a request we can freely take to Him. (He Himself being) “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows…”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
We may feel lonely atimes but we are never alone.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed” Benjamin Franklin???
PRAYER
“When my heart feels lonely, dear Jesus, please point me to a good friend—starting with You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS”
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you;
You will find a solace there.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
PSALMS 144
