By Jamie Harms
The Psalms of Ascents begins in Psalm 120 with a cry of desperation. The psalmist is in distress and calls on the Lord to save him because he has found himself among the tents of Kedar, Ishmael’s descendants. He is not with his people but in a place of exile among evil people. How often do we find ourselves in need of rescue because of our own sins or the sins of those around us? Just like the psalmist needs a savior to rescue him, so we need to be rescued from ourselves and the evil in this world. Who do we turn to when we are overwhelmed with burdens and our situation? We can learn from the psalmist as he moves from Psalm 120 into Psalm 121.
120: Deliver me, O Lord
A Song of Ascents. 1 In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me. 2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue. 3 What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue? 4 Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree! 5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! 6 Too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace. 7 I am in favor of peace; but when I speak, they want war.
121: My Help Comes from the Lord
A Song of Ascents. 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Exile and Rescue
Have you ever found yourself in a place of “exile” crying out to the Lord? If so, when?
Which characteristic of our Helper that we discussed in Psalms 121 brings you the most comfort in your limitedness?
Knowing that our God is _______________ shows me that I am ________. What one step can you take this week to better live in light of this truth?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Knowing that you are ___________ shows me that I am __________. Help me to live in light of this truth this week as I remember that you are my Helper, my Rescuer, and my Savior. Amen.
Knowing that our God is ____my keeper___ shows me that I am __held__. One step I can take this week is to REMEMBER this truth and then live knowing it’s true. If I feel anxious about the health of my family or loved ones near and far, I choose to remember that God keeps us and that we are held by Him, even in difficult times. Him being my keeper doesn’t make me exempt from trials or difficulties, but it ensures that I have One who cares for me and my family. Taking this one thought captive out of the many thoughts that run through my head each day can bring peace and an assurance that I am cared for and seen.
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