ADVENT • JOY
PSALM 16

Application Guide

READ THE TEXT

PSALM 16

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    I have no good apart from you.”

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
    in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names on my lips.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
    or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

  1. In general, was there anything that stood out to you from the sermon or the reading of the text? Was there anything you were confused by?

  2. What is a biblical definition of joy?

  3. Which question is most convicting?

    • Is God my refuge or do fear, anxiety, and worry rob me of my joy?

    • Is God my Sovereign or does my desire to be lord of my life rob me of my joy?

    • Do I credit God with all good things, or do I credit myself, someone else, or luck with my blessings?

    • Do I believe all other options beside God lead to sorrow? Do my life choices support my claim?

    • Am I drinking from Jesus? When someone bumps into me, what sloshes out?

    • Is God my Wonderful Counselor? Do I seek His counsel before others?

    • Do I live in the reality that whatever comes my way had to get through God first?

    • Do I sense Jesus’ presence, or do I find myself needing to ask Him to be with me?

    • Does life shake me, or do I marvel at peace that passes understanding?

  4. If you have discovered something impeding your joy what should you do?

  5. How was the gospel and the work of Jesus magnified through the text or sermon?

  6. Is there anything the Spirit is calling you to obey as an individual or as a group?

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