Friday March 24th

God’s presence during distress!

Read Psalm 120, Isaiah 2:2-5

This psalm is the beginning of what is called the song of ascents.  The Songs of Ascent are a special group of psalms comprising Psalms 120—134. They are also called Pilgrim Songs. Four of these songs are attributed to King David (122, 124, 131, 133) and one to Solomon (127), while the remaining ten are anonymous.  The theme of each Song of Ascent offers much encouragement for those who seek to worship God today.  Today’s psalm is all about relief from living with those who hate peace and are all for war.  The city of Jerusalem is situated on a high hill. Jews traveling to Jerusalem for one of the three main annual Jewish festivals traditionally sang these songs on the “ascent” or the uphill road to the city. According to some traditions, the Jewish priests also sang some of these Songs of Ascent as they walked up the steps to the temple in Jerusalem.  Each of the psalms in this collection begins with the title “A Song of Ascents.” While perhaps they were not originally composed for this purpose, these psalms were later grouped together for use in traveling toward Jerusalem for the yearly Jewish festivals.  [got questions]

As I was pondering this song of ascent psalm, I remembered the time we lived a half hour away from church.  To get us ready for church while traveling I would always play worship music. No matter how the morning had gone preparing before we left, it sure lifted all of our hearts before church.

Can we relate to living among those who hate peace and are for war? Since the beginning in the Garden of Eden when Eve was deceived by the evil one, we can be assured that he is trying to deceive us as well. There are days that are harder than others because we have a deceiver who is ever present to taunt us. During those hard days and every day we can rejoice in knowing and believing that He, our heavenly Father never leaves us nor forsakes us.  As we cry out to Him, He hears and He answers.

Some scriptures to meditate on during those tough times:       

GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

We have weapons of warfare that are not of the flesh.  Our weapons are God’s word.  We can boldly and confidently come before His throne of grace to receiver mercy and grace for help in time of need.  Heb. 4:12 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, ⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. ⁵ We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Do you have a favorite song that lifts you up?

I encourage you my sisters to get into His Word and pray through them.  They are powerful!  He is faithful and His promises are true! 

Lord, we come before You with thanksgiving and praise!  We rejoice in You our Lord and Savior.  We live in a world of much negativity and ask that you fill our hearts with gratitude for all that You have done and are doing in our lives.  Help us to keep our eyes and attention heavenward.  To keep our focus on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.  To you O Lord be all the honor and the glory.  Amen!