A Study in Psalms for Newfound Trust in the New Year

In this Bible study, we will examine four different passages from the psalmists, examining how they describe God, both in the good times and the bad. Like us, they had desires, fears, and hopes, and like us, they had to wait. Through them, we will cultivate the ingredient that solidifies our faith when we would otherwise be vulnerable.

Here are four different psalms that reveal God’s character and give us great reasons to approach the new year with newfound trust.

Blessed by God - Psalm 1

The very first psalm of the Bible introduces us to the dichotomy of those who follow God and those who do not. Those in the first category are described as “happy,” like “a tree planted beside flowing streams.” Such people don’t find themselves in the company of the wicked or listening to their advice. Instead, people who follow the Lord meditate on His word daily. The end result is prosperity in everything.

For those of us living in the modern day, that means studying Scripture impacts our lives at home, work, and elsewhere.

When the Bible talks about being blessed, the idea being conveyed is the favor God grants to the recipient. Following God results in benefits that include happiness, which, in this context, can be interpreted as contentment. This idea is further emphasized through the flowing streams. The image of a flowing stream is one that is both active and nourishing. For believers, God is that water source, dependable and unending. 

By the end of the passage, the psalmist gives a snapshot of Judgment Day, which is the end of the world, and also a look into the end of our lives. In both instances, the one who is not blessed by God finds ruin. Those who follow find just the opposite.

Consider these questions:

• In what ways do you follow, or not follow, the Lord?
• How does God bless His followers?
• Would you consider yourself blessed?

Turning Pain to Prayers - Psalm 13

Knowing the benefits of following God doesn’t always erode the difficulties of living a Christian life. David wrote the heartfelt Psalm 13, which some describe as a plea for deliverance. He opens with emotional questions he has for the Lord, questions that double as complaints. His words indicate that God has forgotten him and even allowed the enemy to overwhelm him.

However dramatic we may interpret David’s language to be, we, too, have questioned God at different intervals of our lives. Hardships faced through relationships have led us to question faith, as have various, often unforeseen circumstances.

What makes matters more difficult is praying to God for long durations and not seeing the change we want. If God has forgotten about us, and we can’t depend on the people or things around us, then what do we have left?

Yet, the same pain David pours into his questions for God, he uses to make reassurances to himself. He knows God’s character and chooses to trust despite the bad he experiences. He believes in God’s “faithful love” and generosity. He reminds us that God’s love for His people is not contingent upon their life circumstances. The deeper our complaints, the more we need to remind ourselves of God’s blessings.

Consider these questions:

• What people or situations lead you to complain?
• Do you see yourself reflected in David?
• Why does David choose to trust God?

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/RyanJLane 

God Guides Us - Psalm 23

David not only lived the life of a child of God, but he used Psalm 23 to capture the essence of the experience. As Jesus displayed through His disciples, God guides those who want to follow Him. He is the shepherd, and we are the sheep. David talks about being led by green waters and still waters, both of which culminate into the idea mentioned in the third line of being renewed.

Later, when David talks about God preparing a table, he cites the Lord’s provision. God meets his needs, even when he is going against his enemies. And this is not a one-off occurrence. Since David has elected to follow the Lord, this is how He expects to live forever. “As long as I live,” David says.

With all the good in mind, David is not delusional about suffering. He mentions walking through the “darkest valley,” but because He knows God, he knows that he won’t succumb to the hardship. When David says, “Even when I go,” he reveals his understanding that hardship is a recurring theme in life. However, trusting God can also be a recurring theme.

Today, we might not be walking through literal green pastures or beside still waters, but God still takes us through various seasons of life. Seasons of varying relationships, jobs, and living situations. When we choose to trust Him, no difficulty overshadows His provision.

Consider these questions:

• What are some dark valleys that you have faced?
• How do you normally respond to hardship?
• How should you respond to hardship?

Know and Grown by God - Psalm 139

David also wrote the final psalm of our Bible study. The key message here that relates to trust is being known and grown by God in the literal sense. David begins this song with the awareness that God is always watching over Him. The Lord is aware of even his small actions, like standing up and sitting down. David also knows that God’s watchfulness began when He was in the womb. From that moment, God knew him and knew the plan He had for David’s life.

The same is true for us. God created us in our mother’s womb and assigned purpose to our lives before a single one of our days began. That’s the sort of omniscience only God possesses and the sort of care for us that not even our closest loved ones have.

David furthers his point when he writes about being seen by God no matter where he goes. Not even the darkness can stop God from seeing him. God’s commitment to him is something David wants to emulate. He does so through his hatred of the wicked and through humbling himself before God. He wants to grow and mature. Only then can he trust God in the way that his reveal demonstrates he should.

Consider these questions:

• Do you believe God is always watching over you?
• What does your heart reveal about your faith?

Conclusion

Every new year often starts with lofty goals and ambitions, but not everything that we want to accomplish starts and ends with ourselves. Oftentimes, we need the outside influence of others, and all the time, we need God’s oversight in our lives.

Whatever you are waiting for, a new job, a new friend, a new opportunity, know that you can trust God. Many believers have come before you with the same desires, and different ones too. He doesn’t always answer when we want or how, but He answers. All we can do in the meantime is trust.

Without it, waiting can feel arduous and unrelenting. With trust, we begin to recognize waiting as a period of preparation and not one of deprivation.

Lord,

Thank you for helping me see that I need to trust you more.

There are plenty of reasons I imagine not to trust you, but the Bible reminds me of all the reasons to trust. I’ve come to you with so many wants and so many desires. So many of them you answer, and some, you don’t. But, Lord, I know that all you do is for my good. You love me more than anyone, and more than anyone, you know what’s best. You know me through and through and all the ways to nourish my soul.

That’s why I pray that you will cultivate a spirit of trust in me. And may that trust help me stand on faith when I’m weak, and on days when I’m strong.

In Jesus name, amen.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema

Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes work to iBelieve, Crosswalk, and supports various clients through the platform Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo. Check out his short story “Serenity.”