15. It All Ends in Praise (Psalm 150)
The last five psalms are psalms of praise, and that's no accident. That's because in Christ we're promised that even the most painful experiences will eventually give way to praise. This message on the Bible's final psalm unpacks what praise is, the different forms praise can take, and the ultimate motive that Christians have for worshipping God.
13. Who Is Jesus Christ? (Psalm 110)
There are plenty of religious figures out there. What makes Jesus unique? One of the best answers to this question is found in an obscure chapter from the Old Testament. Psalm 110 gives us the "ID card" of the Messiah, predicting Jesus' two natures (fully God and fully man), two comings (to bear judgment and to bring judgment), and two offices (king and priest). Latching on to these truths about Jesus renovates both head and heart, radically altering how we relate to God.
Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Psalm 22:1; 2:1-12; Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44; 12:20; 22:31-32; Revelation 4:8; and Genesis 14:18-20.
8. Prayer of Confidence (Psalm 46)
Everybody has experiences in life where things that you looked to for identity and security crumble before your eyes. Yet Psalm 46 makes the radical claim that there is a source of protection and inner strength that will never let you down—even if "the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."
Scripture passages cited in this message include Romans 8:28.
7. Prayer for Protection (Psalm 16)
David's strategy for seeking God's protection is a strange one: he breaks out into a worship session! Psalm 16 is the record of what David spoke to his heart when faced with fear and anxiety. Not only do his words teach us how to find strength in God, but they also provide an incredible glimpse of the gospel, showing us that the true source of strength isn't in the power of our worship but in the person of Jesus Christ.
Scripture passages cited in this message include Acts 2:22-32.
6. Prayer and Depression (Psalm 42)
Anxiety and depression are skyrocketing, especially among younger Americans. But through God, depression doesn't have to have the last word. Psalm 42 is a psalm written by a depressed person. But instead of bowing to his depression, the psalmist reminds his soul in the darkness of the truths he learned in the light. Refusing either to ignore his pain or to treat it as ultimate reality, the psalmist instead takes his pain to God, trusting that even in the dark valley of depression God will meet him in grace and love.
3. Prayer as Preparation (Psalm 139)
How can our hearts become ready and receptive to meet with God in prayer? In Psalm 139, David shows that one way to do this is to meditate on whom it is we’re praying to. Reflecting on God’s attributes prepares our hearts for prayer, captivating us with God’s wonder and majesty, and also driving us to a healthy measure of self-examination.
Scripture passages cited in this message include Psalm 139 and Proverbs 20:27.
As Thrive journeys through the Psalms, be sure to check out the Thrive "Psalmcast," a special series of regular podcast episodes that help you pray the psalms. Just search for "Thrive Harbor" wherever you get your podcasts!
2. Prayer as Invitation (Psalm 39)
If we encounter God through prayer, that must also mean that He encounters us—in all our brokenness, unbelief, and messy emotions. Is it okay to bring our "difficult" emotions before God? Does he really give us permission to be raw and vulnerable before him? According to Psalm 39, the answer is yes. Through Jesus Christ, prayer is a kind of divine invitation to come before God just as we are, knowing that he alone can untangle the mess of our lives.
As Thrive journeys through the Psalms, be sure to check out the Thrive "Psalmcast," a special series of regular podcast episodes that help you pray the psalms. Just search for "Thrive Harbor" wherever you get your podcasts!
1. Prayer as Encounter (Psalm 73)
How can prayer shift from being a routine space to a relational space, a space where God becomes real to your heart? In this opening message for Thrive’s series on praying the Psalms, Michael Bouterse, Thrive’s local director, teaches through Psalm 73. Psalm 73 revolves around an encounter that Asaph had with God that changed his life forever. This is what prayer is meant to be: not just a churchy ritual, but an encounter of awe and intimacy with God.
As Thrive journeys through the Psalms, be sure to check out the Thrive “Psalmcast,” a special series of regular podcast episodes that help you pray the psalms. Just search for “Thrive Harbor” wherever you get your podcasts!