Psalms 12, 46, & 88

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/ps12/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><ul><li>Many things can bring about disorientation in our lives. Just a few examples (try making your own list):<ul><li>The darkness (sinfulness) of the world (12, 14)</li><li>Betrayal (41, 55)</li><li>Natural disasters (46)</li><li>Deep loneliness (25, 88)</li><li>War, destruction, exile (74, 137)</li></ul></li><li>There are psalms of disorientation, orientation, and new orientation (Brueggemann). For examples, see this <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/boustrophedon/THROUGH_THE_PSALMS.pdf">short list.</a></li><li>We should acknowledge these feelings, not deny or minimize them. We should <i>pray through </i>them, not pray as though everything is fine.</li></ul><p><strong>In the darkness, light</strong><br /> </p><ul><li>God is light, and his light penetrates the darkness of the world (Psalm 27, 105... John 1; 1 John 1).</li><li>God will open the eyes of our heart so that we may see, even though we live in a dark world (Eph 1:18; John 3:19; Eph 6:12).</li><li>And yet the light does more than merely light our path, for eternal light has dawned. In the Psalms are multiple intimations of heaven:<ul><li>Psalm 16:11</li><li>Psalm 17:15 (see Job 19:25-27).</li><li>Psalm 49:15</li><li>Psalm 73:24.</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Thought questions</strong></p><ul><li>For me, is the world a dark place? Or am I charmed by the world, enticed by its values?</li><li>If the earth gave way under my feet, am I confident that I would have God to hold on to?</li><li>Am I allowing his light to illuminate my life?</li><li>Do I realize that he offers light through every book in Scripture?</li><li>Do I appreciate the value of honesty about my own fears, doubts, and pain -- how this lends an air of genuineness and hope to my outreach, fellowship, and counseling?</li><li>Does the darkness of this world cause me to yearn for God’s new world? And do I realize that the new creation h