Introduction: How is your life going? Would you answer,
“Reasonably well” or “Poorly?” Is there a way that we can
improve how our life progresses? God tells us that there is
a better way. A way that leads to ultimate victory. Let’s
jump into the study of the Bible and learn about the better
way!
I. Promotion
A. Read Psalms 75:6-7. Who should we be most
concerned about in our place of work? The boss?
Co-workers? Customers?
1. When verse 7 says that God “executes
judgment,” what kind of judgment is being
referenced? (The reference to “lifting up”
must refer at least to promotion in the
workplace. It could refer to other kinds of
honors that an employee might want to
receive.)
2. What is meant by “putting down?” (God can
promote you or demote you in the workplace.)
3. What does this teach us about how to improve
our workplace life?
B. Read Psalms 75:4-5. What should employees avoid?
(Boasting. Do not be haughty. I think we are
dealing with two different types of employees. The
first does well and would normally be expected to
boast. The second type do not deserve to boast.
They have a proud attitude even thought they have
nothing to be proud about.)
C. Read Psalms 75:8. Do you think foaming wine is a
good thing to drink? (No. This sounds very
negative.)
D. Read Psalms 75:9-10. Are the good and the bad
playing musical instruments? What does the
reference to “horns” mean? (A “horn” represents an
animal’s power. This tells us that the power of
the wicked will come to an end. The power of the
righteous shall increase!)
II. Surviving Troubling Times
A. Read Psalms 46:1-3. The middle of the United
States has been suffering from some terrible
weather. Imagine that where you live you have such
a terrible earthquake that “mountains” are tossed
“into the heart of the sea.” Imagine such severe
flooding that the earth trembles while the waters
roar. Have you ever suffered such a weather
catastrophe?
B. Read Psalms 46:4-5. This is a completely different
picture. Where is this great place to live? (This
sounds like the earth made new and the river of
life.)
1. Why contrast the two situations?
C. Read Psalms 46:6-9. What point is the Psalmist
making about these two situations? (God is in
charge!)
D. Read Psalms 46:10-11. What should you do if you
want to have a better, more peaceful life? (Know
God! Trust Him that He is with you. If you do, He
will be your fortress.)
III. No Hope
A. Read Jeremiah 4:23. Of what does this remind you?
(Read Genesis 1:2. This is intended to remind us
of the state of the earth before the Creation.)
B. Read Jeremiah 4:24-26. Does this remind us of what
we just read about in Psalms 46? (It seems very
similar and very frightening.)
1. What is the way out of this “no hope”
situation?
C. Read Jeremiah 4:1-2. The beginning of this chapter
explains the way to avoid this terrible problem.
What is it?
IV. The Road to Victory
A. Read Psalms 67:1-2. Does God have a “selfish”
reason to bless those who follow Him? (It improves
God’s image. When God blesses those who follow
Him, it causes His “way to be known on earth.” It
causes others to conclude that this is the path to
a better life.)
B. Read Psalms 67:3. What role does your praise of
God play in improving His reputation? (Attributing
your blessings to God as opposed to your own
efforts lifts God up before others.)
1. What is the impact if you publicly claim to be
a follower of God but you are caught in some
unseemly acts?
C. Read Psalms 67:4. Notice the word that the ESV
translates “equity.” The KJV translates it as
“righteously” and the underlying Greek means
something that is level or straight. Today a
popular meaning of “equity” is to discriminate
against some people to achieve a result the humans
in charge think is best. That is not what meant in
this text. What do you think is meant by this
text? (God does what is best for us. God raises up
those who follow Him.)
1. Isn’t that discrimination? (It is, but it is
discrimination based on merit. We chose God.)
D. Read Psalms 67:5-7. What is part of the victory of
those who follow Jesus? (Blessings here on earth.)
V. The Memorial
A. Read Matthew 26:26-29. Imagine yourself at this
dinner. Does it seem to be a pleasant time?
1. Notice that verse 27 refers to drinking a cup.
Verse 29 calls it “this fruit of the vine.” In
the first section of this study we read about
the “foaming wine” in Psalms 75:8. Contrast
these two.
B. Read Revelation 14:14-15. What do you think it
means that the “harvest of the earth is fully
ripe?” (This is the final battle against God’s
enemies. The time of the end has come.)
C. Read Revelation 14:19-20. Are we talking about the
fruit of the grape or something else? (We are
talking about the blood of the wicked in this
final battle.)
D. Look again at what Jesus says in Matthew 26:27-28.
How does the Bible treat the symbolism of the
fruit of the grape? (It symbolizes the blood of
humans.)
E. Read 1 Corinthians 11:25-26. What does this tell
us that drinking the “cup” should do for us? (It
should remind us of Jesus’ death on our behalf.)
1. Do you think it should make us sad? (This is
the way in which Jesus defeated sin and gave
us eternal life.)
2. 1 Corinthians 11:25 says, “as often as you
drink it.” Do you think this only refers to
communion? Or would it be good to think about
Jesus every time that we drink the fruit of
the grape?
a. Since the context in this lesson is
defeating evil, should we also think
about the defeat of evil?
F. Friend, my ending invitation is familiar. Would
you like to live a better life? Would you like
ultimate victory over all the challenges of evil?
Turn to Jesus and He will give you blessings and
ultimate victory. Why not decide to do that right
now?
VI. Next week: Upon Whom the Ends Have Come.
Copr. 2025, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are
from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing
ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All
rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within
parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail,
but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this
link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the
Holy Spirit as you study.
