Lessons from the Furnace (Psalm 66)

Lessons from the Furnace

Psalm 66

Hebrews 2:10-11; 12:1-11

God allows affliction to purify his children.

I. God Has the Power to Stop Enemies and Save His Children (vv. 1-9)

A. The Name (vv. 2, 4)

B. What God’s Deeds Tell Us (vv. 3-9)

C. What God’s Deeds Deserve (vv. 1-4, 8)

II. God Sometimes Allows His Children to Suffer Like His Enemies (vv. 10-12; Hebrews 2:10-11; 12:1-11)

A. When it Seems Like God is Treating You Like and Enemy (vv. 11-12)

B. He is Really Treating You Like His Child (v. 10; Hebrews 2:10-11; 12:1-11)

III. Remembering the Lessons of the Furnace (vv. 13-20)

A. Holding onto Your Vows (vv. 13-15)

B. Letting Go of Your Sin (vv. 16-20)

C. Sitting at the Kids’ Table (Hebrews 2:10-11)

Discussion Starters

1. Monday—Have you ever asked the question “If God is fully able to keep me from pain and suffering, why doesn’t he?” Why is this such a big question in life?

2. Tuesday—What is the difference between asking “What is God?” and “Who is God?” Which do you tend to spend more time thinking about?

3. Wednesday—What does it mean that God reveals himself through his mighty deeds? What are some of God’s great deeds in history? What do they tell you about him?

4. Thursday—What does it mean that God allows his children to go through the furnace of affliction? Why does Psalm 66 use the imagery of “testing” silver?

5. Friday—What are the lessons we learn in the furnace? Why do we struggle to remember these lessons once affliction ends?