Psalm 63 Well be spending lots of time with David this week.

As we study, well see new insight into how David patterns his heart and life after the character of God. Pay close attention to Gods sovereignty in the life of David. Take some time this week to reflect on His sovereignty in your own life. Day One: 1) Lets begin in 1 Samuel 23, taking a close look at the David the deliverer. Read this chapter through in one sitting and write down a rough timeline of events as they unfold. 2) After you have an overview of the events, go back and list all the heroic actions you see David taking. 3) What is interesting about verses 2, 4 and 10-12? 4) How is this different than what we saw of Davids actions in chapter 21? 5) Jump over to Psalm 63:1 and 8. What has David learned about God? Day Two: 1) Go back to 1 Samuel 23:14-29. David is a deliverer, yet he is still in need of physical deliverance by God. We see that God is delivering, keeping Saul at bay; and He sends comfort to David in his best friend, Jonathan. Look at the words Jonathan says to David in verses 16-18. How do these words provide encouragement to Davids weary soul? 2) How does Davids soul respond in Psalm 63:1? (Read some commentary about the stronghold where he is hiding.) 3) Take a closer look at verses 25 and 26. How frightening is that??? 4) Describe Gods deliverance from Sauls army. 5) We may not be facing a physical enemy like Saul; but the Bible tells us we face a very real spiritual enemy in Satan. God delivers us daily from the enemys evil desires for us. Read 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 and look at the ways he seeks to oppress us. List those here: 6) Each evil intent is met with a barrier set in place by God. He will not allow Satan to destroy us. What else will He not allow according to these verses? How does your soul respond to Him? Day Three: 1) Today well see how David chooses mercy over murder, restraint over revenge, trust over tyranny in his dealings with King Saul. David has experienced the mercy of God and seeks to be merciful like Him. As you read todays chapter, 24, think about what you might do in Davids situation. Read through the chapter and describe the scene. Who did Saul bring with him? Where did he go to find David? 2) Verse 3 is a tad bit taboo to talk about; but the reality is that Saul was in a very vulnerable position. As he is attending to his needs, David has the perfect opportunity to be done with this horrific threat to his own life. What do Davids men suggest in verse 4? 3) What does he do instead and why is he troubled? 4) In verses 8-15, David risks his life, goes to great lengths and pleads with Saul in the pursuit of peace between them. How does David describe his treatment of Saul? 5) David is Gods chosen, future king; yet he humbles himself in front of the man bent on his destruction. What motivates Davids actions and words? 6) Describe Sauls reaction to Davids mercy and humility: 7) Does David trust Sauls words? (v.22) ***David does fulfill his promise to Saul. See 2 Samuel 21:7.

Day Four: 1) Lets look at our Psalm of David written in light of all he has experienced in hiding from Saul. Read through Psalm 63 specifically looking for discoveries about God. 2) David is still on a journey, pursuing the heart of God. God is revealing much along the way. As you read, write down all that you see about God. Complete the My God is sentence. 3) Circle one characteristic about God that stands out to you in your life circumstances now. Thank Him for Who He is. Day Five: 1) In his commentary on Psalm 63, John MacArthur divides the Psalm into three distinct portions. Verses 1-5 speak of Gods presence, 6-8 of Gods power and 9-11, His judgment. Read back through verses 1-5. Remembering what weve studied about Davids stronghold in the caves, how does the desperation of his situation bring deeper meaning to these verses? 2) What does David remember about God in verses 6-8? How does this memory build his faith and help him to endure the horror of being surrounded by an elite army of 3000 men, circling him, intent on his destruction? 3) Read verses 9-11 and in your mind, go back through all David has experienced. Look back to 1 Samuel 24:9 and take note of the lies people are telling Saul about David. This is just one instance of lies told about him. Can you think of others? We know ultimately ____________ is the father of lies. Just as we examined earlier in the study this week, Satan is seeking to destroy. The lies about David are meant to stir Sauls jealous heart and press him on in his pursuit of Davids life. Saul is confused and tormented by the lies of Satan. How do his words and actions at the end of chapter 24 reveal the madness hes experiencing? 4) Compare Jonathans words in 1 Samuel 23:16-18 to the truth of Gods coming judgment in Psalm 63:9-11. What does Jonathan know about God? After our study this week in the Word, what do you know about God? What will you do with that?