Companion Study to Spurgeon’s Morning Devotion on Psalm 138:5
1. Opening Prayer (30 seconds)
Lord, we come before You with gratitude for the joy of salvation. Open our hearts to Your Word and help us to experience anew the freedom and joy that comes from knowing You. Teach us to sing in Your ways and magnify Your name today. Amen.
2. Scripture Reading (1 minute)
Read these passages aloud:
- Psalm 138:5: “They shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.”
- Isaiah 44:22: “I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
Reflect on these truths as you listen:
- God’s forgiveness is total—He has blotted out our sins like a thick cloud.
- This forgiveness leads to singing in His ways—a joy that is meant to overflow into every part of our lives.
3. Key Points for Reflection and Discussion (3 minutes)
- The Moment of Salvation
- Think back: When did you first experience the joy of being forgiven? What did it feel like when the burden of sin was lifted?
- Spurgeon describes this as a “song of rapture which gushes from the inmost soul.” Have you ever felt the need to share that joy with others, as Spurgeon did—telling even the stones and snowflakes about your deliverance?
- The Ongoing Joy of Salvation
- Spurgeon reminds us that joy is not only for the beginning of our faith. “As long as we tread this desert land, new mercies shall new songs demand.”
- Question for Reflection: What new mercies have you experienced recently that give you a reason to sing? How has God shown His constant lovingkindness in your life?
- Expressing Our Joy in Christ
- Spurgeon’s joy was so full that he couldn’t contain it. He felt compelled to share it with everything around him—even the stones in the street and the snowflakes falling from heaven.
- Question for Reflection: How do you express your joy in Christ? Do you share it openly with others? Does it shape how you live each day?
4. Personal Reflection Questions (1.5 minutes)
Take a moment to reflect on one of these questions personally or in discussion with a group:
- What “chains” has Jesus broken in your life? How has His forgiveness changed you?
- When was the last time you felt overwhelming joy in your salvation? What caused it, and how did you respond?
- How can you magnify the Lord today? What specific action can you take to glorify Him with your life?
5. Application (1 minute)
Choose one way to express your joy in Christ today:
- Share your testimonywith someone who needs to hear about God’s forgiveness.
- Write a prayer of thanksgiving, reflecting on the specific ways God has been merciful to you.
- Sing a hymn of praise—let your voice reflect the joy in your heart.
Serve someone in need with a joyful and thankful heart, sharing God’s love in action.
6. Closing Prayer Focus (1 minute)
Close with this prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for blotting out our sins and removing the burden of guilt from our lives. Thank You for the joy of salvation and for the new mercies You give us each day. May Your praise always be on our lips, and may our lives magnify Your name. Help us to sing in Your ways today and share the joy of knowing You with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Key Quote for Reflection
“But it is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that believers have cause to sing. As long as they live, they discover reasons to sing in the ways of the Lord.” – C.H. Spurgeon