Journey Through the Psalms Part II
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor John Prominski’s sermon from June 8, 2025
Let’s Break it Down
Psalm 24 begins with the powerful declaration that 'The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness,' establishing God's ownership and authority over everything. This foundational truth provides stability in chaotic times and frames our understanding of who can approach God - those with clean hands and pure hearts. This isn't about perfection but about purity of motivation and sincere pursuit of God.The psalm references 'the Jacob generation,' drawing our attention to Jacob's famous wrestling match with God in Genesis 32. Despite Jacob's flawed past as a deceiver, his determination to wrestle with God until receiving blessing transformed him into Israel, 'prince with God.' Remarkably, God still chooses to be known as 'the God of Jacob,' perhaps because He values those who will persistently engage with Him. Too often, we direct our frustrations toward people rather than wrestling with God about our struggles. Stubbornness keeps us from righteousness, while surrender to the 'King of Glory' brings transformation. Like Jacob, we may walk away from these divine encounters with a limp, but we'll never be the same.
Key Takeaways
God owns everything and everyone as Creator, but not everyone can approach Him
Clean hands and pure hearts are about pursuit of God, not perfection
Wrestling with God leads to transformation and blessing
Stubbornness and righteousness cannot coexist
We must release people and wrestle with God instead
Tap to watch Pastor John’s full sermon on Youtube
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1:Everything Belongs to Him
DevotionalWhen we look around at the world today, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by chaos and uncertainty. Yet there's a profound truth that can anchor our souls: everything belongs to God. The mountains reaching toward heaven, the oceans depths, and every breath we take - it all belongs to Him. This foundational understanding changes how we view our circumstances and challenges. When we truly grasp that God owns it all, we can release our tight grip on control and trust in His sovereign care.
Bible Verse
"The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters." - Psalm 24:1-2
Reflection Question
How might your perspective on current challenges change if you truly believed that God owns and controls everything in your life?
Quote I love this psalm because it screams that God is in control because he created it all.
Prayer
Lord, help me remember that everything belongs to You. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me of Your sovereignty and care. Teach me to trust You with all that concerns me. Amen.
Day 2:The Heart of Purity
DevotionalOften we get caught up in trying to achieve perfection in our spiritual walk. We create checklists, set impossible standards, and beat ourselves up when we fall short. But God isn't looking for perfection - He's looking at our hearts. Purity isn't about flawless performance; it's about genuine pursuit. It's about approaching God with honesty and sincerity, even when we're struggling. He sees past our carefully constructed facades to the true intentions of our hearts.
Bible Verse
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." - Matthew 5:8
Reflection Question
What areas of your life have you been trying to perfect instead of focusing on pursuing God with a pure heart?
Quote This isn't about perfection. God's not trying to program little soldiers. It's about a purity. And I don't know about you, and I'm not claiming to be some theologian, but as I understand purity, it's more about a pursuit than it is about perfectionism.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for times I've focused more on perfection than pursuing You. Create in me a pure heart that seeks You above all else. Amen.
Day 3:Wrestling with God
DevotionalLike Jacob, we all have moments when we must wrestle with God. These spiritual struggles aren't signs of weak faith - they're often indicators of deep engagement with God. When we choose to wrestle with God rather than with people, we position ourselves for transformation. It's in these intimate encounters that God can reshape our character and redirect our path. The key is to stay engaged, even when it's difficult, knowing that God honors those who persistently seek Him.
Bible Verse
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12
Reflection Question
What issues are you currently wrestling with people about that you should instead be bringing to God?
Quote I think we wrestle with people because we're looking for an outcome that will go in our favor. You wrestle with God when you want the outcome to be one that goes in his favor.
Prayer
Lord, help me bring my struggles to You rather than fighting with others. Give me the courage to wrestle with You until Your purposes are fulfilled in my life. Amen.
Day 4:Changed by the Encounter
DevotionalTrue encounters with God always leave us changed. Just as Jacob walked away with a limp after wrestling with God, our divine encounters should transform us. These changes might not always be comfortable or what we expected, but they're always for our good and God's glory. When we surrender to His work in our lives, He shapes us into people we could never become on our own. Our transformation becomes a testimony to His power and grace.
Bible Verse
"Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4
Reflection Question
How have your encounters with God changed you, and what evidence of transformation do others see in your life?
Quote It should be noted that God changed Jacob's name and Jacob never walked the same again. And because Jacob wrestled with God, he went from a struggle to a limp. When you've wrestled with God, you don't walk the same. You're not the same.
Prayer
Father, continue Your transforming work in my life. Help me embrace the changes You bring, even when they're uncomfortable. Make me more like You. Amen.
Day 5:Surrendering to His Purpose
DevotionalGod has a divine purpose for each of our lives, but achieving it requires surrender. When we stubbornly hold onto our own plans and ways, we resist the very righteousness God wants to work in us. The beautiful paradox is that in losing our wrestling match with God, we actually win. His purposes are always better than our plans, and His path, though sometimes challenging, leads to fulfillment we couldn't imagine on our own.
Bible Verse
"Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness." - Isaiah 46:12
Reflection Question
What areas of your life are you still stubbornly holding onto instead of surrendering to God's purpose?
Quote I've got good news and bad news. You're going to lose the wrestling match. But the good news is that his plan of purpose for your life is going to be fulfilled and you wouldn't have it any other way.
Prayer
Lord, I surrender my stubborn heart to You. Help me release control and trust that Your purposes for my life are better than anything I could plan. Amen.