Please join us tomorrow from 10.30am at www.threebridgesfreechurch.org/youtube for our morning service. This week we are looking at Psalm 121 and Acts 8:1-25 as we continue our series in the book of Acts ... See MoreSee Less
9 hours ago ·
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Daily Devotion - Psalm 120
Psalm 120 is the first of 15 Psalms sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. These 'Songs of Ascent' speak of our journey as Christians in this world to our heavenly Jerusalem.
At first glance it doesn't seem evident that this is a pilgrim Psalm. There is no mention of Jerusalem or a journey. But these are the words of a homesick people; men and women settled in a strange land. We are shown what motivates them to move and begin such a spiritual pilgrimage. Discontent is what drives them. The starting place for our Christian journey is discontent with our current world and the desire for something better.
As the Psalmist looked out on the world around them two things unsettled them; two things which remain marks of our fallen world today.
Firstly in v.1-4 he sees a world of lies - v.2: 'Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.' Psalm 119 reminded us that God's word is truth. But the world in which we live is marked by untruths. Eugene Peterson helpfully applies the prayer of this verse to modern western culture: 'Rescue me from the lies of advertisers who claim to know what I need and what I desire, from the lies of entertainers who promise a cheap way to joy, from the lies of politicians who pretend to instruct me in power and morality, from the lies of psychologists who offer to shape my behaviour and my morals so that I will live long, happily and successfully, from the lies of religionists who "heal the wounds of this people lightly," from the lips of moralists who pretend to promote me to the office of captain of my fate, from the lies of pastors who "leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the traditions of men" (Mark 7:8). Rescue me from the person who me of life and omits Christ, who is wise in the ways of the world and ignores the movement of the Spirit.'
Secondly, in v.5-7 he sees a world of hatred - v.6-7: 'Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!' Human history is characterised by division and war. In the 20th century alone it is estimated that 180 million died in conflict. If we are honest with ourselves humanity is not a peaceful people. For all the technological advancements made in recent centuries we remain no different to our ancestors in heart. We live in a broken world full of pain and suffering. That was certainly the Psalmist's experience. In v.5 he speaks of 'Meshech' and 'Kedar.' The first was a land far to the north of Israel in northern Turkey, the second refers to a wild desert tribe to the south. The Psalmist couldn't have dwelt in both places. Rather this is a summary of the world in which he lives, a fallen world whichever direction he would travel in.
This world is not our true home. Psalm 120 sums up the state of the place in which we now dwell. It explains why we are discontent and gives reasons to turn to God for help. This is where the Christian life begins. Before we turn to Christ we must see the state of our lives now. The journey begins with the desire for something better, a place where God dwells. Psalm 120 describes the starting point for the Christian pilgrim. ... See MoreSee Less
9 hours ago ·
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