Transcript
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ALONGOBEDIENCEINTHESAMEDIRECTION(Summary)
EugenePeterson
ThefollowingcontentisasummaryandpartialabridgementofEugenePeterson’sbook“ALong
ObedienceInTheSameDirection.”ItisbasedsolelyonPeterson’sworkandanyhelpthatthis
contentgivesshouldbecreditedtoGod’sgracethroughPeterson’seffort.Inotherwords,give
Godglory,thankEugenePetersonandconsiderbuyingthebook.
1:DISCIPLESHIP:WHATMAKESYOUTHINKYOUCANRACEAGAINSTHORESES?
Thefifteen“SongsofAscents”(Psalm120‐134)providethestudyfordevelopingdiscipleshipin
aninstantsociety.TheuseofthesePsalmsistoaidinencouragementforalifeofobedienceto
God.Thisobediencetakesrootoveralongperiodoftimeandisoftenanythingbutinstant.As
youjourneythroughtheseGod‐sung“songs”mayyouraffectionsbestirredasyouseeyour
SaviorandfindinHimsatisfactionineverysphereandseasonoflife.
TouristandPilgrims:
OneaspectoftheworldthatisharmfultoChristiansistheassumptionthatanything
worthwhilecanbeacquiredatonce.Itisnotdifficultinthisenvironmenttogetsomeone
interestedinthemessageofthegospel;itisterrificallydifficulttosustaintheinterest.People
havedevelopedthelifestyleofatouristandonlywantthehighpoints.Thereisnodesireto
waitpatientlyanddevoutlyforatruerelationshipwithGod.
Anessentialthinginheavenandearthisthattherewouldbealongobedienceinthesame
directionresultinginsomethingthatmakeslifeworthliving.Forrecognizingtheworld’sways
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therearetwobiblicaldesignationsforpeopleoffaiththatareextremelyuseful:discipleand
pilgrim.
Disciple:Sayswearepeoplewhospendourlivesapprenticedtoourmaster,JesusChrist.We
areinagrowingandlearningrelationship,always.Adiscipleisalearner,butnotprimarilyin
theacademicsettingofaschool‐room,butrather,attheworkofacraftsman.Wedon’tjust
acquireinformationaboutGodbutskillsinfaith.
Pilgrim:Beingapilgrimmeansbeingapersonwhospendstheirlifegoingsomeplace,goingto
God,andwhosepathforgettingthereisthewayofJesusChrist.ThisisbecauseJesusisthe
“wayandthetruthandthelife”(seeJohn14:5‐6).
ADogEaredSongbook:
Theshirayhammaloth,orSongsofAscents,isaresourcetoguidepeopleintheChristianway
anddirectpeopleoffaithintheconsciousandcontinuouseffortthatdevelopsintomaturityin
Christ.Thesongsarenumbered120‐134inthebookofPsalms.Thesefifteensongswerelikely
sung,possiblyinorder,byHebrewpilgrimsastheywentuptoJerusalemtothegreatworship
festivals.
However,thesongwasnotonlyliteral,itwasalsoametaphor:thetriptoJerusalemactedouta
lifelivedupwardtowardGod,anexistencethatadvancedfromoneleveltoanotherin
developingmaturity.ThreetimesayearfaithfulHebrewswouldmakethepilgrimageto
Jerusalem.WhiledoingthistheyrefreshedtheirmemoriesofGod’ssavingwaysattheFeastof
Passoverinthespring;theyrenewedtheircommitmentsasGod’scovenantedpeopleatthe
FeastofPentecostinearlysummer;theyrespondedasablessedcommunitytothebestthat
GodhadforthemattheFeastofTabernaclesintheautumn.ThispictureoftheHebrewsgives
usagoodlookatlifeasafaith‐journey.Thesesongsconveyawiderangeofemotionsandideas
toGod.SingingthemisawaybothtoexpressGod’samazinggraceandtoquietfears.Since
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manyessentialitemsinChristiandiscipleshipareincorporatedinthesesongs,theyprovidea
waytorememberwhoweareandwherewearegoing.Ultimately,theSongsofAscents,teach
uswhoweareinChristbecauseoftheGospelofChristandthatourultimatedestinationis
ChristsowecanbewithChrist.
BetweentheTimes:
Everyonewhotravelsasapilgrimneedsassistanceandencouragementfromtimetotime.
Christianswillrecognizehowappropriatethesesongsareduringthebetweentimes.Theyare
songsoftransitions,briefhymnsthatprovidecourage,supportandinnerdirectionforgetting
uswhereGodisleadingusinJesusChrist.Forthosewhochoosetolivenolongerastouristbut
aspilgrims,theSongsofAscentscombineallthecheerfulnessofatravelsongwiththe
practicalityofaguidebookandmap.
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2:REPENTANCE:I’MDOOMEDTOLIVEINMESHECH”‐PSALM120
Psalm120(ESV)
1InmydistressIcalledtotheLORD,
andheansweredme.
2Deliverme,OLORD,
fromlyinglips,
fromadeceitfultongue.
3Whatshallbegiventoyou,
andwhatmoreshallbedonetoyou,
youdeceitfultongue?
4Awarrior’ssharparrows,
withglowingcoalsofthebroomtree!
5Woetome,thatIsojourninMeshech,
thatIdwellamongthetentsofKedar!
6ToolonghaveIhadmydwelling
amongthosewhohatepeace.
7Iamforpeace,
butwhenIspeak,theyareforwar!
Apersonhastobethoroughlydisgustedwiththewaythingsaretofindmotivationtosetout
ontheChristianway.Theyhavetobefedupwithwaysoftheworldbeforetheyacquirean
appetitefortheworldofgrace.Psalm120istheproductofsuchaperson.Thisperson,sick
withlies,andcrippledwithhate.Criesoutwithpainthatpenetratesdespairandstimulatesa
newbeginning—ajourneytoGodthatbecomesalifeofpeace.
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ThefifteenSongsofAscentsdescribeelementscommontoallthosewhoapprentice
themselvestotheLordChristandwhotravelintheChristianway.Thefirstofthemistheprod
themgetsthemgoing.
LiesWithoutError:
I’mintroubleistheopeningphrase.Thelastwordiswar.ThisisnotahappyPsalmbutan
honestandnecessaryone.Thedistressthatbeginsandendsthesongisthepainfulawakening
totheno‐longer‐avoidablerealitythatwehavebeenliedto.Thelie,everythingiso.k.Thislie
coversupandperpetuatesthedeepwrong,disguisestheviolence,thewar,andtherapacity.
Christianconsciousnessbeginsinthepainfulrealizationthatwhatwehadassumedwasthe
truthisinfactalie.RescuemefromthepersonwhotellsmeoflifeandomitsChrist,whois
wiseinthewaysoftheworldandignoresthemovementoftheSpirit.Theyareliesbecause
theyclaimtotelluswhoweareandomiteverythingaboutourorigininGodandourdestinyin
God.
LightningIlluminatingtheCrossroads:
God,revealedinhiscreativeandredemptivework,exposesallthelies.Themomenttheword
Godisuttered,theworld’stoweringfalsehoodisexposed;weseethetruth.Thetruthisthat
Godmadeandlovesus.Thepointatwhichweneedilluminationisthepointatwhichthepaths
ofourlivesfork.Psalm120isthedecisiontotakeonewayoveranother.Thepeoplewho
followthesamepathasthepsalmistarepeoplewhotakedelightinGodandareChristians.
ANoThatIsaYes:
ThefirststeptowardGodisastepawayfromtheliesoftheworld.Wemoveawayfromthings
thatarestrangeandhostile.Werecognizethatthisworldthatweliveisnotourhomes.The
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biblicalwordthatdescribesourdesiretosaynototheworldisrepentance.Repentanceisnot
anemotion.Itisadecision.Itisdecidingthatyouhavebeeninthewronginsupposingthatyou
couldmanageyourownlifeandbeyourownGod.ItisarealizationthatwhatGodwantsfrom
youandwhatyouwantfromGodarenogoingtobeachievedbydoingthesameoldthings,
thinkingthesameoldthoughts.Repentanceisthemostpracticalofallthewords,andthemost
practicalofalltheacts.
Repentance,thefirstwordinChristianimmigration,setsusonthewaytotravelinginthelight.
Itisarejectionthatisalsoanacceptance,aleavingthatdevelopsintoanarriving,anotothe
worldthatisayestoGod.
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3:PROVIDENCE:“GODGUARDSYOUFROMEVERYEVIL”‐PSALM121
Psalm121(ESV)
1Iliftupmyeyestothehills.
Fromwheredoesmyhelpcome?
2MyhelpcomesfromtheLORD,
whomadeheavenandearth.
3Hewillnotletyourfootbemoved;
hewhokeepsyouwillnotslumber.
4Behold,hewhokeepsIsrael
willneitherslumbernorsleep.
5TheLORDisyourkeeper;
theLORDisyourshadeonyourrighthand.
6Thesunshallnotstrikeyoubyday,
northemoonbynight.
7TheLORDwillkeepyoufromallevil;
hewillkeepyourlife.
8TheLORDwillkeep
yourgoingoutandyourcomingin
fromthistimeforthandforevermore.
ThemomentwesaynototheworldandyestoGod,allourproblemsaresolved,allour
questionsanswered,allourtroublesover.IfthisiswhatyoubelieveaboutChristianitythenyou
arewrong.WeliveinthesameworldaspeoplewhodonotloveJesus,andaresubjecttothe
sameperilsthatfacethem.
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Psalm121isaquietvoicegentlyandkindlytellingusthatweare,perhaps,wrongintheway
thatwearegoingabouttheChristianlife,andthen,verysimply,showingustherightway.For
many,thefirstgreatsurpriseoftheChristianlifeisintheformoftroubleswemeet.Psalm121
helpsusdealwiththisdiscovery.
Travelers’Advisory
Threepossibilitiesforharmtotravelersarereferredtointhepsalm.Apersontravelingonfoot
canatanymomentsteponaloosestoneandsprainthereankle.Apersontravelingonfoot
underprotractedexposuretothesun,canbecomefaintwithsunstroke.Andapersontraveling
underpressureandanxietycanbecomeemotionallyill.Inreferencetothesehazardsthepsalm
says,“Hewillnotletyourfootbemoved;hewhokeepsyouwillnotslumber….TheLORDisyour
keeper;theLORDisyourshadeonyourrighthand.Thesunshallnotstrikeyoubyday.”Any
Christianwhoishonestischallengedbythistruth.Wehaveallsprainedouranklesandbeen
stuckinperilsthathaveaffectedus.Thispsalmisnotsayingthatwewillnotfaceanyadversity,
it’ssayingthattheevilofthisworldandtheadversityweencounterwillhavenopoweroverus
becauseithasnopowerofGod.
HelpFormtheHills:
Apersonoffaithencounterstroubleandcriesouthelp.Alooktothehillsforhelpendsin
disappointment.Foralltheirmajestyandbeauty,foralltheirquietstrengthandfirmness,they
arefinallyjusthills.Psalm121rejectsaworshipofnature,areligionofstarsandflowers,a
religionthatmakesthebestofwhatitfindsonthehills;insteaditlookstotheLordwhomade
heavenandearth.TheCreatorisLordovertime:heguardsyouwhenyouleaveandwhenyou
return,inyourbeginningsandintheend.Godguardsyoufromeveryevil.
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Thepromiseofthepsalmisnotthatweshallneverstubourtoesbutthatnoinjury,no
accident,nodistresswilleverhaveevilpoweroverus,thatis,willbeabletoseparateusfrom
God’spurposesinus.AllyouneedtorememberisthatGodwillneverletyoudown;he’llnever
letyoubepushedpastyourlimitsbecauseHehasnolimits;He’llalwaysbetheretohelpyou
comethroughit.
ThreetimesinPsalm121GodisreferredtobythepersonalnameYahweh,translatedasLORD.
Eighttimesheisdescribedastheguardian,orastheonewhoguards.Heisnotanimpersonal
executivegivingordersfromonhigh;heispresenthelpeverystepofthewaywetravel.Allthe
waterinalltheoceanscannotsinkashipunlessitgetsinside.Norcanallthetroubleinthe
worldharmusunlessitgetswithinus.FromthepointofourrepentanceGodguardsusfrom
everyevil.
Theonlyseriousmistakethatwecanmakewhenillnesscomes,whenanxietythreatens,when
conflictdisturbsourrelationshipswithothersistoconcludethatGodhadgottenboredlooking
afterusandhasshiftedhisattentiontoamoreexcitingChristian,orthatheisdisgustedwith
ourmeanderingobedience.Psalm121preventsthismistake:themistakeofsupposingthat
God’sinterestinuswaxesandwanesinresponsetoourspiritualtemperature.
WeknowthatGodcreatedtheuniverseandhasaccomplishedoureternalsalvation.Butwe
can’tbelievethathecarestowatchthesoapoperaofourdailylives.ButPsalm121saysthat
thesamefaiththatworksinthelargethingsworksinthesmall.Asthepsalmistsays;“TheLORD
isyourkeeper….TheLORDwillkeepyoufromallevil…TheLORDwillkeep…”
TravelingCompanion:
TheChristianlifeisnotaquietescapetoagardenwherewecanwalkandtalkuninterruptedly
withourLord.TheChristianlifeissimply,goingtoGod.Wewillfacedangers,andtroubles,just
likethosewhodonotcallChristtheirSavior,orfallatthefeetofGodtheirKing.Thedifference
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isthateachstepwewalk,eachbreathwetake,weknowwearepreservedbyGod,weknow
weareaccompaniedbyGod,weknowweareruledbyGod;andthereforenomatterwhat
doubtsweendureorwhataccidentsweexperience,theLordwillguardusfromeveryevil,He
guardsourverylife.
Faithisthesolid,massive,secureexperienceofGod,whokeepsallevilfromgettinginsideus,
whoguardsourlife,whoguardsuswhenweleaveandwhenwereturn,whoguardsusnow
andguardsusalways.
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4:WORSHIP:“LET’SGOTOTHEHOUSEOFGOD”‐PSALM122
Psalm122(ESV)
1Iwasgladwhentheysaidtome,
“LetusgotothehouseoftheLORD!”
2Ourfeethavebeenstanding
withinyourgates,OJerusalem!
3Jerusalem—builtasacity
thatisboundfirmlytogether,
4towhichthetribesgoup,
thetribesoftheLORD,
aswasdecreedforIsrael,
togivethankstothenameoftheLORD.
5Therethronesforjudgmentwereset,
thethronesofthehouseofDavid.
6PrayforthepeaceofJerusalem!
“Maytheybesecurewholoveyou!
7Peacebewithinyourwalls
andsecuritywithinyourtowers!”
8Formybrothersandcompanions’sake
Iwillsay,“Peacebewithinyou!”
9ForthesakeofthehouseoftheLORDourGod,
Iwillseekyourgood.
Psalm122isthesongofapersonwhodecidedtogotochurchandworshipGod.Itisapsalmof
worshipandademonstrationofwhatpeopleoffaitheverywhere,alwaysdo:gathertoan
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assignedplaceandworshiptheirGod.AsChristianswemustdecidetoworshipGod,faithfully
anddevoutly.Itisoneoftheimportantactsinalifeofdiscipleship.
AnInstanceoftheAverage:
AgreatdealofwhatwecallChristianbehaviorhasbecomepartofourlegalsystemandis
embeddedinoursocialexpectations,bothofwhichhavestrongandcoercivepowers.But
worshipisnotforced.Everyonewhoworshipsdoessobecausetheywantto.Worshipisthe
singlemostpopularactamongChristians.
AFramework:
Thepsalmsinglesoutthreeitems:worshipgivesusaworkablestructureforlife;worship
nurturesourneedtobeinrelationshipwithGod;worshipcentersourattentiononthe
decisionsofGod.
JerusalemwastheHebrewwordfortheplaceofworship.WhenyouwenttoJerusalem,you
encounteredthegreatfoundationalrealities:Godcreatedyou,Godredeemedyou,God
providedforyou.Thecityitselfwasakindofarchitecturalmetaphorforwhatworshipis:Allthe
piecesofmasonryfitcompactly,allthebuildingstonesfitharmoniously.Therewerenoloose
stones,noleftoverpieces,noawkwardgapsinthewallsorthetowers.
InworshipallthedifferentpeoplewhowenttoJerusalemfunctionedasasinglepeoplein
harmoniousrelationships.Withallofaredifferentbackgrounds,economicstatus,ethnic
heritage,wearestillonepeopleandweworshipgathertogetherasonewhole.Whenwegoto
worshipwegetaworkingdefinitionforourlife:thewayGodcreatedus,thewayheleadsus.
Weknowwherewestand.
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ACommand:
WorshipistheplacewhereweobeythecommandtopraiseGod:“Togivethankstothename
oftheLORD—thisiswhatitmeanstobeIsrael.”Thiscommandisawordtellinguswhatwe
oughttodo,andwhatweoughttodoispraise.Whenwepraisewearefunctioningatthe
center,weareintouchwiththebasic,corerealityofourbeing.
Christiansworshipbecausetheywantto,notbecausetheyareforcedto.But,theydonot
alwaysworshipbecausetheyfeellikeit.Feelingsaregreatliars.IfChristiansworshippedonly
whentheyfeltlikeit,therewouldbeverylittleworship.Weliveinan“ageofsensation.”We
thinkthatifwedon’tfeelsomethingthentherecanbenoauthenticityindoingit.ButGodsays
thatwecanactourselvesintoanewwayoffeelingmuchquickerthanwecanfeelourselves
intoanewwayofacting.WhenweobeythecommandtopraiseGodinworship,ourdeep,
essentialneedtobeinrelationshipwithGodisnurtured.
AWordofGod:
WhenweworshipourattentioniscenteredonthedecisionsofGod.Everytimeweworshipour
mindsareinformed,ourmemoriesrefreshedwiththejudgmentsofGod,wearefamiliarized
withwhatGodsays,whathehasdecided,thewayheisworkingoutoursalvation.Wewantto
hearwhatGodsaysandwhathesaystous:worshipistheplacewhereourattentionis
centeredonthesepersonalanddecisivewordsofGod.
PeaceandSecurity:
WorshipdoesnotsatisfyourhungerforGod—itwhetsourappetite.OurneedforGodisnot
takencareofbyengaginginworship—itdeepens.Ourbasicneedssuddenlybecomeworthyof
thedignityofcreaturesmadeintheimageofGod:peaceandsecurity.Shalom,orpeace,isone
oftherichestwordsintheBible.ItgathersallaspectsofwholenessthatresultfromGod’swill
beingcompletedinus.ItistheworkofGodthat,whencomplete,releasesstreamsofliving
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waterinusandpulsateswitheternallife.Shalvah,orprosperity,isthefoundationofsecurity.It
isthefeelingthateverythingisgoingtobeallright.Worshipinitiatesanextended,daily
participationinpeaceandprosperitysothatweshareinourdailyroundswhatGodinitiates
andcontinuesinJesusChrist.
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5:SERVICE:“LIKESERVANTSWE’REWATCHING&WAITING”‐PSALM123
Psalm123(ESV)
1ToyouIliftupmyeyes,
Oyouwhoareenthronedintheheavens!
2Behold,astheeyesofservants
looktothehandoftheirmaster,
astheeyesofamaidservant
tothehandofhermistress,
sooureyeslooktotheLORDourGod,
tillhehasmercyuponus.
3Havemercyuponus,OLORD,havemercyuponus,
forwehavehadmorethanenoughofcontempt.
4Oursoulhashadmorethanenough
ofthescornofthosewhoareatease,
ofthecontemptoftheproud.
AsapersongrowsandmaturesintheChristianway,itisnecessarytoacquirecertainskills.One
isservice.Psalm123isaninstanceofservice.Inthis,assoofteninthePsalms,wearenot
instructedinwhattodo,weareprovidedaninstanceofwhatisdone.InPsalm123weobserve
thataspectofthelifeofdiscipleshipthattakesplaceundertheformofservanthood.
IfGodIsGodAtAll:
ServicebeginswithanupwardlooktoGod.Weneedtoplacehimintheappropriaterole.God
isoverusoraboveusnotbesideusorbelowus.Godisnotaservanttobecalledintoaction
whenwearetootiredtodosomethingourselves,notanexperttobecalledonwhenwefind
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weareillequippedtohandleaspecializedprobleminliving.Goddidnotbecomeaservantso
thatwecouldorderhimaroundbutsothatwecouldjoinhiminaredemptivelife.
IfGodisGodatall,hemustknowmoreaboutourneedthanwedo;hemustbemoreintouch
withtherealityofourthoughts,ouremotions,ourbodiesthanweare;hemusthaveamore
comprehensivegraspoftheinterrelationsinourfamiliesandcommunitiesandnationsthanwe
do.
IfwewanttounderstandGod,wemustdoitonhisterms.IfwewanttoseeGodthewayhe
reallyis,wemustlooktotheplaceofauthority—toScriptureandtoJesusChrist.Themoment
welookuptoGod(andnotoverhim,ordownonhim)weareinthepostureofservitude.
Mercy,God,Mercy!
Asecondelementinserviceinhastodowithourexpectation.Whatweexpectismercy.Three
timesthisexpectationisvoicedinPsalm123.ThebasicconvictionofaChristianisthatGod
intendsgoodforusandthathewillgethiswayinus.Heisapotterworkingwiththeclayofour
lives,formingandreforminguntil,hehasshapedaredeemedlife,avesselfitforthekingdom.
ThewordmercymeansthattheupwardlooktoGodintheheavensdoesnotexpectGodto
stayintheheavensbuttocomedown,toenterourcondition,toaccomplishthevastenterprise
ofredemption,tofashioninushiseternalsalvation.Servitudeisspecificinitsexpectation,and
whatitexpectsismercy.
UrgentService:
Athirdelementintheservantlifeisurgency.ThePsalmsispartofavastliteratureofoutcry,a
longingfordeliverancefromoppression.TheChristianisapersonwhorecognizesthatourreal
problemisnotinachievingfreedombutinlearningserviceunderabettermaster.TheChristian
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realizesthateveryrelationshipthatexcludesGodbecomesoppressive.Forthisreasonall
Christianserviceinvolvesurgency.TheurgencyoftradingamasterthatkillsusfortheMaster
thatdiedforus.
ReasonableService:
TheserviceweoffertoGod(inworship)isextendedintospecificactsthatserveothers.We
learnarelationship—anattitudetowardlife,astanceofservitudebeforeGod,andthenweare
availabletobeofusetoothersinactsofservice.ThePsalmhasnothinginitaboutserving
others.ItconcentratesonbeingaservanttoGod.Itspositionisthatiftheattitudeof
servanthoodislearned,byattendingtoGodasLord,thenservingotherswilldevelopasavery
naturalwayoflife.
TheFreestPersonOnEarth:
ForfreedomisthefreedomtoliveaspersonsinloveforthesakeofGodandneighbor,nota
licensetograbandpush.Itistheopportunitytoliveatourbest,notasunrulybeasts.Thework
ofliberationmustthereforebeaccompaniedbyinstructionintheuseoflibertyaschildrenof
Godwho“walkbytheSpirit.”
AsPsalm123praysthetransitionfromoppression,tofreedom,toanewservitude,itputsusin
thewayoflearninghowtouseourfreedommostappropriately,underthelordshipofa
mercifulGod.AservantChristianisthefreestpersononearth.
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6:HELP:“OH,BLESSEDBEGOD!HEDIDN’TGOOFFANDLEAVEUS”‐PSALM124
Psalm134(ESV)
1IfithadnotbeentheLORDwhowasonourside—
letIsraelnowsay—
2ifithadnotbeentheLORDwhowasonourside
whenpeopleroseupagainstus,
3thentheywouldhaveswallowedusupalive,
whentheirangerwaskindledagainstus;
4thenthefloodwouldhavesweptusaway,
thetorrentwouldhavegoneoverus;
5thenoveruswouldhavegone
theragingwaters.
6BlessedbetheLORD,
whohasnotgivenus
aspreytotheirteeth!
7Wehaveescapedlikeabird
fromthesnareofthefowlers;
thesnareisbroken,
andwehaveescaped!
8OurhelpisinthenameoftheLORD,
whomadeheavenandearth.
Psalm124isasongofhazardandofhelp.AmongtheSongsofAscents,thisistheonethat
betterdescribesthehazardousworkofalldiscipleshipanddeclaresthehelpthatisalways
experiencedatthehandofGod.
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AClerkintheComplaintsDepartmentofHumanity:
ThefirstlinesofthepsalmtwicedescribesGodas“forus.”Thelastlineis“Ourhelpisinthe
nameoftheLORD,whomadeheavenandearth.”Godisforus.Godisourhelp.
TheproperworkforaChristianiswitness,notapology,andPsalm124isanexcellentmodel.It
doesnotargueGod’shelp;itdoesnotexplainGod’shelp;itisatestimonyofGod’shelpinthe
formofasong.Thewitnessbecomesvividandcontagious.God’shelpisnotaprivate
experience;itisacorporatereality—notanexceptionthatoccursamongisolatedstrangers,but
thenormamongthepeopleofGod.
Thereisnootherliteratureinalltheworldthatismoretruetolifeandmorehonestthanthe
Psalms,forherewehavewarts‐and‐allreligion.Psalm124isnotaselectedwitness,inserted
likeacommercialintoourlivestotestifythatlifegoesbetterwithGod.Thepeoplewhoknow
thispsalmbestandwhohavetesteditoutanduseditoftentellusthatitiscredible,thatitfits
intowhatweknowoflifelivedinfaith.
HazardousWork:
Christiandiscipleshipishazardouswork.TherearenoeasytasksontheChristianway;thereare
onlytaskthatcanbedonefaithfullyorerratically,withjoyorwithresentment.Throughout
yourworkyouneedtorememberthatGodwillaccomplishhiswill,andyougettocheerfully
persistinlivinginthehopethatnothingwillseparateyoufromGod’sloveinChristJesus.
Thepsalm,though,isnotabouthazardsbutabouthelp.Thehazardousworkofdiscipleshipis
notthesubjectofthepsalmbutonlyitssetting.Thesubjectishelp.DuringthistimeGodwants
ustonotbefussy.Tonotbecomemoralistwhoclucktheirtonguesoveraworldgoingtohell;
ChristiansarepeoplewhopraisetheGodwhoisonourside.
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EnlargedPhotographsofOrdinaryObjects:
Thefinalsentence,“OurhelpisinthenameoftheLORD,whomadeheavenandearth,”links
theGodwhocreatedheavenandearthtotheGodwhohelpsuspersonally.
Psalm124isamagnificationoftheitemsoflifethatarethoughttobeunpleasant,bestkept
undercover,bestsurroundedwithsilencelesttheyclutterourliveswithunpleasantness.Psalm
124isaninstanceofapersonwhodigsdeeplyintothetroubleandfindstherethepresenceof
theGodwhoisonourside.Ourfaithdevelopsoutofthemostdifficultaspectsofourexistence,
nottheeasiest.
TheassumptionbyoutsidersthatChristiansarenaïveorprotectedistheoppositeofthetruth:
Christiansknowmoreaboutthedeepstrugglesoflifethanothers,moreabouttheuglinessof
sin.Thispsalmlooksintothetroublesofhistory,theanxietyofpersonalconflictandemotional
trauma.AnditseestheretheGodwhoisonourside,Godisourhelp.
Wespeakourwordsofpraiseinaworldthatishellish;wesingoursongsofvictoryinaworld
wherethingsgetmessy;weliveourjoyamongpeoplewhoneitherunderstandnorencourage
us.ButthecontentofourlivesisGod,nothumanity.Wearenotscavenginginthedarkalleys
oftheworld,pokinginitsgarbagecansforabaresubsistence.Wearetravelinginthelight,
towardGodwhoisrichinmercyandstrongtosave.ItisChrist,notculture,whodefinesour
lives.Itisthehelpweexperience,notthehazardswerisk,thatshapeourdays.
IftheLORDwasnotonoursidewewouldhavebeenswallowedalive.Butourhelpisinthe
nameofTheLORD,theonewhomadeheavenandearth.
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7:SECURITY:“GODENCIRCLESHISPEOPLE”‐PSALM125
Psalm125(ESV)
1ThosewhotrustintheLORDarelikeMountZion,
whichcannotbemoved,butabidesforever.
2AsthemountainssurroundJerusalem,
sotheLORDsurroundshispeople,
fromthistimeforthandforevermore.
3Forthescepterofwickednessshallnotrest
onthelandallottedtotherighteous,
lesttherighteousstretchout
theirhandstodowrong.
4Dogood,OLORD,tothosewhoaregood,
andtothosewhoareuprightintheirhearts!
5Butthosewhoturnasidetotheircrookedways
theLORDwillleadawaywithevildoers!
PeacebeuponIsrael!
Backsliderwasabasicwordinthereligiousvocabularydepictingpeoplewhohadmadea
commitmentoffaithtoourLord,hadbeenactiveinchurch,buthadlosttheirfootingonthe
ascentstoChristandbackslid.Thiswasathreattoall,atalltimes.Youcouldatanymomentfall
victimtoloosingyourfootingandslippingbackwards.Anotherwaytolookatthisaction
Christiansarepronetoisbyexaminingscriptureandseekingadifferenttruth.Inscripturethere
isabackgroundofconfidence,aleisuredsecurity,amongpeopleoffaith.
SomeoneElseBuilttheFortress:
22
TheemphasisofPsalm125isnottheprecariousnessoftheChristianlifebutonitssolidity.
Jerusalemwassetinasaucerofhills.Itwasthesafestofcitiesbecauseoftheprotective
fortressthesehillsprovided.Justso,isthepersonoffaithsurroundedbytheLord.
Peopleoffaithhavethesameneedsforprotectionandsecurityasanyoneelse.Whatis
differentisthatwedon’thavetobuildourown.Godprovidesoursafehaven.Heconstructs
thewallsthatsecureusinhispresence.Atnotimedoesapersonoffaithfeelleftoutinthe
wilderness,butbroughtwithinthecitygatestorestinthepeaceandshelterthatGodprovides
inChristintheGospel.
ASaw–ToothedHistory:
Theconfident,robustfaiththatwedesireandthinkisourdestinyisqualifiedbyrecurrent
insecurities.Singingpsalm125isonewayChristianshavetodevelopconfidenceandbanish
insecurity.Onethreattooursecuritycomesfromfeelingsofdepressionanddoubt.Wecanbe
movedbynearlyanything:sadness,joy,success,failure.
Israelcanbedescribedasahavingasaw–toothed–history.Onedayit’sup,andnextitisdown.
Butaswereadabouttheirhistorywerealizesomethingsteady:theyarealwaysGod’speople.
WelearntolivenotbyourfeelingsaboutGodbutbythefactsofGod.Oursecurityshould
comefromwhoGodis,notfromhowwefeelabouthim.Discipleshipisadecisiontoliveby
whatweknowaboutGod,notbywhatwefeel.Inotherwords,it’snotwhatwefeelaboutGod
thatmakesussecure,itsthatGodchoosestoknowusandChristchoosestosaveus.
ADamocleanSword:
Anothersourceofuncertaintyisourpainandsuffering.Thedailyconflictsthatwefacecanbe
demoralizing.Godtellsusthatdangerandoppressionarenevertoomuchforfaith.That
23
nothingcountertoGod’sjusticehaseternitytoit.Godwillneverletyoudown;he’llneverpush
youpastyourlimits;he’llalwayshelpyoucomethroughit.
ANonnegotiableContract:
ThethirdkindofthreattotheconfidencepromisedtotheChristianisthefearofdefection.
However,onceyouareaChristianthereisnogettingoutofit.Wehaveourupsanddowns,
zealouslybelievingonedayandgloomilydoubtingthenext,butGodisfaithful.Youmaychoose
thecrookedway.YoumaychoosetorunfromGod.ButifyouareHis,Hewillnotloseyou.IfHe
hasbegunagoodworkHewillbringitcompletion.Ourconfidence,oursecurity,our
perseveranceisnotduetoourperformance,ourfaithfulness,orourdeterminationbuttothe
LORDwhosurroundsHispeople,totheSpiritwhosealsHispeople,totheShepherdwholeads
Hispeople.
MountainClimbersRopedTogether:
Psalm125saysthatbeingaChristianislikesittinginthemiddleofJerusalem,fortifiedand
secure.Neitherourfeelingsnorthefactsofsufferingnorthefearofdefectionareevidence
thatGodhasabandonedus.Donotbeanxious,ourlifewithGodisasurething,becauseHeis
sureandbecauseHesurroundsandbecauseHesavesandbecauseHeseeks.
TravelingthewayoffaithandclimbingtheascenttoChristmaybedifficult,butitisnot
worrisome.Theweathermaybeadverse,butitisneverfatal.Wemayslipandstumbleandfall,
buttheropewillholdus.Godwillalwaysholdus.
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8:JOY:“WELAUGHED,WESANG”‐PSALM126
Psalm126(ESV)
1WhentheLORDrestoredthefortunesofZion,
wewerelikethosewhodream.
2Thenourmouthwasfilledwithlaughter,
andourtonguewithshoutsofjoy;
thentheysaidamongthenations,
“TheLORDhasdonegreatthingsforthem.”
3TheLORDhasdonegreatthingsforus;
weareglad.
4Restoreourfortunes,OLORD,
likestreamsintheNegeb!
5Thosewhosowintears
shallreapwithshoutsofjoy!
6Hewhogoesoutweeping,
bearingtheseedforsowing,
shallcomehomewithshoutsofjoy,
bringinghissheaveswithhim.
OneofthedelightfuldiscoveriesalongthewayofChristiandiscipleshipishowmuchenjoyment
thereis,howmuchlaughteryouhear,howmuchsheerfunyoufind.AsChristiansweshould
partakeinjoyasadailyritual,exclaimingourenjoymentinlivingalifeofobediencetoGod.
AConsequence,NotaRequirement:
25
JoyischaracteristicoftheChristianpilgrimage.ItisthesecondinPaul’slistofthefruitsofthe
Spirit(Gal5:22‐23).ItisthefirstofJesus’signsintheGospelofJohn.Joyisnotarequirement
ofChristiandiscipleship,itisaconsequence.Itisnotwhatwehavetoacquireinorderto
experiencelifeinChrist;itiswhatcomestouswhenwearewalkinginthewayoffaithand
obedience.WecandecidetoliveinresponsetotheabundanceofGodandnotunderthe
dictatorshipofourownpoorneeds.Oneofthecertainconsequencesofsuchalifeisjoy,the
kindexpressedinPsalm126.
JoyfulExpectation:
Joyisnurturedbyanticipation.Ifthejoy‐producingactsofGodarecharacteristicofourpastas
God’speople,theywillalsobecharacteristicofourfutureashispeople.Christianjoyisnotan
escapefromsorrow.Painandhardshipstillcome,buttheyareunabletodriveoutthe
happinessthattheredeemedwillexperience.JoyiswhatGodgives,notwhatweworkup.
Christianjoyhappensinthemidstofpain,suffering,loneliness,andmisfortune.“3Morethan
that,werejoiceinoursufferings,knowingthatsufferingproducesendurance,4andendurance
producescharacter,andcharacterproduceshope,5andhopedoesnotputustoshame,
becauseGod’slovehasbeenpouredintoourheartsthroughtheHolySpiritwhohasbeengiven
tous.6Forwhilewewerestillweak,attherighttimeChristdiedfortheungodly.7Foronewill
scarcelydieforarighteousperson—thoughperhapsforagoodpersononewoulddareevento
die—8butGodshowshisloveforusinthatwhilewewerestillsinners,Christdiedforus.
9Since,therefore,wehavenowbeenjustifiedbyhisblood,muchmoreshallwebesavedby
himfromthewrathofGod.10ForifwhilewewereenemieswewerereconciledtoGodbythe
deathofhisSon,muchmore,nowthatwearereconciled,shallwebesavedbyhislife.11More
thanthat,wealsorejoiceinGodthroughourLordJesusChrist,throughwhomwehavenow
receivedreconciliation”(Rom5:3‐11).
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Thepsalmdoesnotgivejoyasapackageorasaformula,buttherearesomethingsitdoesdo.
Itshowsupthetininessoftheworld’sjoyandaffirmsthesolidarityofGod’sjoy.Godpromises
thatwhateverelseishappeningwecanbeahappypeople.Why?Because“theLORDhasdone
greatthingsforus;weareglad.”
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9:WORK:“IFGODDOESN’TBUILDTHEHOUSE”‐PSALM127
Psalm127(ESV)
1UnlesstheLORDbuildsthehouse,
thosewhobuilditlaborinvain.
UnlesstheLORDwatchesoverthecity,
thewatchmanstaysawakeinvain.
2Itisinvainthatyouriseupearly
andgolatetorest,
eatingthebreadofanxioustoil;
forhegivestohisbelovedsleep.
3Behold,childrenareaheritagefromtheLORD,
thefruitofthewombareward.
4Likearrowsinthehandofawarrior
arethechildrenofone’syouth.
5Blessedistheman
whofillshisquiverwiththem!
Heshallnotbeputtoshame
whenhespeakswithhisenemiesinthegate.
OneofthetasksofChristiandiscipleshipistorelearnhowtowork.Onerequirementof
discipleshipistolearnthewayssinskewsournatureandtosubmitwhatwelearntothe
continuingwillofGod,sothatwearereshapedthroughthedaysofourobedience.Psalm127
showboththerightwayandhewrongwaytowork.Itpostsawarningandprovidesan
exampletoguideChristiansinworkthatisdonetothegloryofGod.
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BabelorBuddhist:
Psalm127firstpostsawarningaboutwork.IfweworkwithoutGodthenwearewastingour
time.Anythingwetryandaccomplishonourown,withouthisblessing,willneverglorifyhim.
Psalm127showsawaytoworkthatisneithersheeractivitynorpurepassivity.Itdoesn’t
glorifyworkassuch,anditdoesn’tcondemnworkassuch.Ifwewanttoexperiencethe
fullnessofworkweneedtoworkforwhatGodwants.
IntheBeginningGodWorked:
TheBiblebeginswithanannouncementthatGodcreated.Hedidsomething,hecreated
something,heworked.TheworkofGodisdefinedintheScriptures.Oneofthereasonsthat
ChristiansreadScripturerepeatedlyandcarefullyistofindoutjusthowGodworksinJesus
ChristsothatwecanfirstrestintheworkofJesusChrist(TheGospel)andthenworkinthe
nameofJesusChrist.
IneveryletterthattheapostlePaulwrote,hedemonstratedthataChristian’sworkisanatural,
inevitableandfaithfuldevelopmentoutofGod’swork.Christiandiscipleship,byorientingusin
God’sworkandsettingusinthemainstreamofwhatGodisalreadydoing,freesusfromthe
compulsivenessofwork.EveryChristianmustbeconstantlyvigilantagainstbelievingthatthey
candoGod’sworkforhim.
Thefoundationaltruthisthatworkisgood.IfGoddoesit,itmustbeallright.Workhasdignity:
therecanbenothingdegradingaboutworkifGodworks.Workhadpurpose:therecanbe
nothingfutileaboutworkifGodworks.
EffortlessWork:
Incontrasttotheanxiouslaborthatbuildscitiesandguardspossessions,thisPsalmpraisesthe
effortlessworkofmakingchildren.Wedonotmakethesepeoplethatwalkamongus,we
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participateinanactoflovethatwasprovidedforusinthestructureofGod’screation.By
joiningJesusandthePsalmwelearnawayofworkthatdoesnotacquirethingsoramass
possessionsbutrespondstoGodanddevelopsrelationships.Theworkthatwearecalledtodo
isthepersonalrelationshipsthatwecreateanddevelop.Outofnumeroushandshakesand
greetings,somegerminateandgrowintoafriendshipinChrist.
Relentlesscompulsiveworkhabitswhichoursocietyrewardsandadmiresareseenbythe
psalmistasasignofweakfaithandassertivepride,asifGodcouldnotbetrustedtoaccomplish
hiswill,asifwecouldrearrangetheuniversebyourowneffort.Psalm127insistsona
perspectiveinwhichoureffortisattheperipheryandGod’sworkisatthecenter.
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10:HAPPINESS:“ENJOYTHEBLESSING!REVELINTHEGOODNESS”‐PSALM128
Psalm128(ESV)
1BlessediseveryonewhofearstheLORD,
whowalksinhisways!
2Youshalleatthefruitofthelaborofyourhands;
youshallbeblessed,anditshallbewellwithyou.
3Yourwifewillbelikeafruitfulvine
withinyourhouse;
yourchildrenwillbelikeoliveshoots
aroundyourtable.
4Behold,thusshallthemanbeblessed
whofearstheLORD.
5TheLORDblessyoufromZion!
MayyouseetheprosperityofJerusalem
allthedaysofyourlife!
6Mayyouseeyourchildren’schildren!
PeacebeuponIsrael!
BeingaChristianiswhatwewerecreatedfor.Thelifeoffaithhasthesupportofanentire
creationandtheresourcesofamagnificentredemption.
PromisesandPronouncements:
Blessingisthewordthatdescribesthishappystateofaffairs.Psalm128,sandwichedbetween
promisesandpronouncements,isanillustrationofblessing.Animageofalifethatisbounded
31
ononesidebypromisesofblessing,ontheothersidebypronouncementsofblessing,and
experiencesblessingsbetweenthoseboundaries.
Jesus,inhisSermonontheMount,identifiestheeightkeyqualitiesinthelifeofapersonof
faithandannounceseachonewiththewordblessed.Jesusmakesitclearthatdiscipleshipisan
expansionofourcapacities,anoverflowingofjoy,andablessedlife.
SharingInLife:
Blessinghasinherentinitthepowertoincrease.Itfunctionsbysharinganddelightinlife.We
mustdevelopbetteranddeeperconceptsofhappinessthanthoseheldbytheworld,which
makesahappylifetoconsistin“ease,honors,andgreatwealth.”Psalm128helpsusdothat.
Toomuchoftheworld’shappinessdependsontakingfromonetosatisfytheother.Aswe
learntogiveandshare,ourvitalityincreases,andthepeoplearoundusbecomefruitfulvines
andoliveshootsatourtables.FortheChristian,blessingcomessothatwecanbless.Being
blessedresultsinblessingothers.
TravelingbytheRoads:
ToguardagainstallblasphemouschumminesswiththeAlmighty,theBibletalksofthefearof
theLord—nottoscareusbuttobringustoawesomeattentionbeforetheoverwhelming
grandeurofGod.NotonlydoweletGodbeGodashereallyis,butwestartdoingthethingsfor
whichhemadeus.
Peopleaccusereligionwithinterferingwithwhattheyconsidertheirinnocentpleasuresand
wishes.Butreligionisaninconvenienceonlytothosewhoaretravelingagainstthegrainof
creation,atcross‐purposeswiththewaythatleadstoredemption.God’sway,andGod’s
presencearewhereweexperiencehappinessthatlasts,toourchildren’schildren.
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11:PERSEVERANCE:“THEYNEVERCOULDKEEPMEDOWN”‐PSALM129
Psalm129(ESV)
1“Greatlyhavetheyafflictedmefrommyyouth”—
letIsraelnowsay—
2“Greatlyhavetheyafflictedmefrommyyouth,
yettheyhavenotprevailedagainstme.
3Theplowersploweduponmyback;
theymadelongtheirfurrows.”
4TheLORDisrighteous;
hehascutthecordsofthewicked.
5MayallwhohateZion
beputtoshameandturnedbackward!
6Letthembelikethegrassonthehousetops,
whichwithersbeforeitgrowsup,
7withwhichthereaperdoesnotfillhishand
northebinderofsheaveshisarms,
8nordothosewhopassbysay,
“TheblessingoftheLORDbeuponyou!
WeblessyouinthenameoftheLORD!”
ToughFaith:
ThepeopleofGodaretough.Forlongcenturiesthosewhobelongtotheworldhavewaged
waragainstthewayoffaith,andtheyhaveyettowin.Christianfaithneedstobeastoughasa
perennialthatcanstickitoutthroughstormanddrought,survivethetramplingofcarelessfeet
andtheattacksofvandals.Thepersonoftruefaithoutlastsalltheoppressors.Faithlasts.
33
Jesus’ministrybeganwithfortydaysoftemptationandconcludedwithhiscrucifixion.There
werecunningattemptstogethimofftrack,everytemptationdisguisedasasuggestionfor
improvement,offeredwiththebestofintentionstohelpJesusintheministryonwhichhehad
sonaivelyandinnocentlysetout.ThewayofJesus’faithisthewayourfaithshouldbe.Itisnot
afadthatistakenupinonecenturyonlytobediscardedinthenext.Itisawaythatworks.It
hasbeentestedthoroughly.
CutCords,WitheredGrass:
ThelifeoftheworldthatisopposedorindifferenttoGodisbarrenandfutile.Itisnaively
thinkingyoumightgetaharvestofgrainfromthatshallowpatchofdirtonashelfofrock.The
wayoftheworldismarkedbyproud,God‐defyingpurposes,unharnessedfrometernityand
thereforeworthlessandfutile.AsthisPsalmpointsouttheworld’swayresultsinwithered
grasswhichcomestonothingattheharvest.
ThePassionofPatience:
Forwhodoesnotexperienceflashesofangeratthosewhomakeourwayhardanddifficult?
TherearetimesinthelongobedienceofChristiandiscipleshipwhenwegettiredandfatigue
drawsourtempersshort.InthistimewelooktoGodtogiveuspatienceandfilluswithlove.
Weallmakemistakesinthiswalk,justasthepsalmistdidinPsalm129,butperseverancedoes
notmeanperfection.Itmeansthatwekeepongoingrightthroughallthepeoplethatmakeour
waymoretreacherous.Wewillnotlearnbyswallowingoursenseofoutrage,orexcusingall
wickednessasaneurosis.WewilldoitbyofferingupourangertoGod,whotrainsusin
creativelove.
GodStickswithUs:
34
ThecornerstonesentenceofPsalm129is“TheLORDisrighteous;hehascutthecordsofthe
wicked.”Theemphasisisonhisdependablepersonalrelationship.Heisalwaysthereforus.
ThathefightsforusisthereasonChristianscanlookbackoveralonglifecrisscrossedwith
cruelties,unannouncedtragedies,unexpectedsetbacks,sufferings,disappointments,
depressions,andseeitallasaroadofblessings.ThecentralrealityforChristiansisthe
personal,unalterable,perseveringcommitmentGodmakestous.Perseveranceisnottheresult
ofourdetermination,itistheresultofGod’sfaithfulness.Christiandiscipleshipisaprocessof
payingmoreandmoreattentiontoGod’srighteousnessandlessandlessattentiontoourown.
PurposesLast:
TheChristianfaithisthediscoveryoftheGodwhostickswithus,therighteousGod.Christian
discipleshipisaresponsivedecisiontowalkinhisways,steadilyandfirmly,andthenfinding
thatHiswayintegratesallourinterests,passionsandgifts,ourhumanneedsandoureternal
aspirations.Itisthewayoflifewewerecreatedfor.Itisthewayoflifethatdoesnotendina
weakandwitheredharvestbutoneblessedbytherighteousLORD.
35
12:HOPE:“IPRAYTOGOD…ANDWAITFORWHATHE’LLSAY&DO”‐PSALM130
Psalm130(ESV)
1OutofthedepthsIcrytoyou,OLORD!
2OLord,hearmyvoice!
Letyourearsbeattentive
tothevoiceofmypleasformercy!
3Ifyou,OLORD,shouldmarkiniquities,
OLord,whocouldstand?
4Butwithyouthereisforgiveness,
thatyoumaybefeared.
5IwaitfortheLORD,mysoulwaits,
andinhiswordIhope;
6mysoulwaitsfortheLord
morethanwatchmenforthemorning,
morethanwatchmenforthemorning.
7OIsrael,hopeintheLORD!
ForwiththeLORDthereissteadfastlove,
andwithhimisplentifulredemption.
8AndhewillredeemIsrael
fromallhisiniquities.
Tobehumanistobeintrouble.Manandwoman,aloneincreation,suffer.Forsufferingispain
plus:physicaloremotionalpainplustheawarenessthatourownworthaspeopleis
threatened,thatourownvalueascreaturesmadeinthedignityofGodiscalledintoquestion,
36
thatourowndestinyaseternalsoulsisjeopardized.AChristianisapersonwhodecidestoface
andlivethroughsuffering.Psalm130grapplesmightilywithsuffering,singsitswaythroughit,
andprovidesusableexperienceforthosewhoarecommittedtotravelingthewayoffaithto
GodthroughJesusChrist.
GivingDignitytoSuffering:
Bysettingtheanguishoutintheopenandvoicingitasaprayer,thepsalmgivesadignitytoour
suffering.Weshouldsetsufferingsquarely,openly,andpassionatelybeforeGod.TheGospels
offerthisviewofsuffering:insufferingweenterthedepths;weareattheheartofthings;we
areneartowhereChristwasonthecross.Psalm130focusesonimmersingsufferinginGodas
allthesufferingisspokenintheformofprayer,whichmeansthatGodistakenseriouslyasa
personalandconcernedFather.
EmployedtoWait:
SucharethetwogreatrealitiesofPsalm130:sufferingisreal;Godisreal.Wewillcryfromthe
depthsandourcrywillbeheard.Sufferingisamarkofourexistentialauthenticity;Godisproof
ofouressentialandeternalhumanity.Wearetowaitandwatch,andthroughthiswillfind
hope.ThismeansgoingaboutourassignedtaskofsufferingwiththeknowledgethatGodwill
providethemeaningandtheconclusions.
AnEyeSpecialistandaPainter:
Whenwesufferweattractcounselorsasmoneyattractsthieves.Everybodyhasanideaof
whatwedidwrongtogetintothissituationandalsohowtogetout.Butwhatwetrulyneedis
hope;hopefromGod.Weneedtoknowthatsufferingispartofwhatitmeanstobehuman
andnotsomethingalien.WeneedtoknowwhereweareandwhereGodis.Weneedtoknow
thatGodunderstandandcaresaboutoursuffering.
37
Psalm130isessentialequipment,foritconvincesusthatthebigdifferenceisnotinwhat
peoplesufferbutinthewaytheysuffer.Thispsalmisapowerfuldemonstrationthatourplace
inthedepthsisnotoutofboundsfromGod.ThisPsalmshowsusthatourhopecomesnot
fromourholiness,ourperformance,orourabilities,butisgroundedinGod’ssteadfastlove,in
Hisplentifulredemption,inHissanctifyingwork.Cryoutfromyourdepths.CryouttotheLORD
whohears.CryoutknowingHehearsnotbecauseyoursinlessbutbecauseHeforgives.Cryout
andwaitforHisredemptionnotforworldlycouncil.Cryoutandwaitinhope“Forwiththe
LORDthereissteadfastlove,andwithhimisplentifulredemption.AndhewillredeemIsrael
fromallhisiniquities.”
38
13:HUMILITY:“I’VEKEPTMYFEETONTHEGROUND”‐PSALM131
Psalm131(ESV)
1OLORD,myheartisnotliftedup;
myeyesarenotraisedtoohigh;
Idonotoccupymyselfwiththings
toogreatandtoomarvelousforme.
2ButIhavecalmedandquietedmysoul,
likeaweanedchildwithitsmother;
likeaweanedchildismysoulwithinme.
3OIsrael,hopeintheLORD
fromthistimeforthandforevermore.
HumilityistheobversesideofGod,whereasprideistheobversesideofconfidenceinself.(John
Baillie)
Psalm131isamaintenancepsalm.Itgetsridofthatwhichlooksgoodtothosewhodon’tknow
anybetter,andreducesthedistancebetweenourheartsandtheirrootsinGod.Thetwothings
thatPsalm131prunesawayareunrulyambitionandinfantiledependency.
AspirationGoneCrazy:
Allculturesthrowcertainstumblingblocksinthewayofthosewhopursuegospelrealities.The
wayoffaithdealswiththeserealitieswheneverandineveryculture.Onestumblingblockthat
hasbecomeprevalentisambition.Ourcultureencouragesandrewardsambitionwithout
qualification.Tobeontop,nomatterwhatyourontopof,isadmired.Itishardtorecognize
39
prideasasinwhenitishelduponeverysideasavirtue,urgedasprofitableandrewardedas
anachievement.
Wearecaughtupinawayoflifethat,insteadofdelightinginfindingoutthemeaningofGod
andsearchingouttheconditionsinwhichhumanqualitiescanbestberealized,recklesslyseeks
waystocircumventnature,arrogantlydefiespersonalrelationshipsandnamesGodonlyin
curses.Thosewhoyieldthemselvesuptotheinfluenceofambitionwillsoonlosethemselvesin
alabyrinthofperplexity.
AsContentasaChild:
Havingrealizedthedangersofpride,thesinofthinkingtoomuchofourselves,wearesuddenly
indangerofanothermistake,thinkingtoolittleofourselves.Therearesomethatbelievesince
thegreatChristiantemptationistobeeverything,theperfectsolutionistobenothing.These
peoplethencompensatefortheirlivesbyweepilyclingingtoGod.ButChristianfaithisnot
neuroticdependencybutchildliketrust.WedonotclingtoGoddesperatelyoutoffearandthe
panicofinsecurity;wecometohimfreelyinfaithandlove.OurLordgaveusthepictureofa
childasamodelforChristianfaith,notbecauseofthechild’shelplessness,butbecauseofthe
child’swillingnesstobeled,tobetaught,tobeblessed.ForGoddoesnotwantusneurotically
dependentonhimbutwillinglytrustfulinhim.
ThePlainWay:
Wearealways,itseems,reelingfromonesideoftheroadtotheotheraswetravelintheway
offaith.Wearefirstincitedintobeinggrandioseandthenintimidatedintobeinginfantile.But
thereisanotherway,theplainwayofquietChristianhumility.AswelearnthisPsalmwe
discoverthequietnessoftheweanedchild,thetranquilityofmaturingtrust.Psalm131
nurtures:aqualityofcalmconfidenceandquietstrengththatknowsthedifferencebetween
unrulyarroganceandfaithfulaspiration.Thissongteachesusnottoseekourglorybuttobe
40
aboutGod’sgloryastheonewetrust,theonewelovetobewith,andtheonewehopeinfrom
thistimeforthandforevermore.
41
14:OBEDIENCE:“HOWHEPROMISEDGOD”‐PSALM132
Psalm132(ESV)
1Remember,OLORD,inDavid’sfavor,
allthehardshipsheendured,
2howhesworetotheLORD
andvowedtotheMightyOneofJacob,
3“Iwillnotentermyhouse
orgetintomybed,
4Iwillnotgivesleeptomyeyes
orslumbertomyeyelids,
5untilIfindaplacefortheLORD,
adwellingplacefortheMightyOneofJacob.”
6Behold,weheardofitinEphrathah;
wefounditinthefieldsofJaar.
7“Letusgotohisdwellingplace;
letusworshipathisfootstool!”
8Arise,OLORD,andgotoyourrestingplace,
youandthearkofyourmight.
9Letyourpriestsbeclothedwithrighteousness,
andletyoursaintsshoutforjoy.
10ForthesakeofyourservantDavid,
donotturnawaythefaceofyouranointedone.
11TheLORDsworetoDavidasureoath
fromwhichhewillnotturnback:
“Oneofthesonsofyourbody
42
Iwillsetonyourthrone.
12Ifyoursonskeepmycovenant
andmytestimoniesthatIshallteachthem,
theirsonsalsoforever
shallsitonyourthrone.”
13FortheLORDhaschosenZion;
hehasdesireditforhisdwellingplace:
14“Thisismyrestingplaceforever;
hereIwilldwell,forIhavedesiredit.
15Iwillabundantlyblessherprovisions;
Iwillsatisfyherpoorwithbread.
16HerpriestsIwillclothewithsalvation,
andhersaintswillshoutforjoy.
17ThereIwillmakeahorntosproutforDavid;
Ihavepreparedalampformyanointed.
18HisenemiesIwillclothewithshame,
butonhimhiscrownwillshine.”
TrueknowledgeofGodisbornoutofobedience.(JohnCalvin)
Stable,NotPetrified:
WewantChristianfaiththathasstabilitybutisnotpetrified,thathasvisionbutisnot
hallucinatory.Psalm132isapsalmofDavid’sobedience.Thepsalmshowsobedienceasa
lively,adventurousresponseoffaiththatisrootedinhistoricalfactandreachesintoapromised
hope.
43
ObediencewithaHistory:
ThefirsthalfofPsalm132isthepartthatrootsobedienceinfactandkeepsourfeetonthe
ground.Thereisavast,richrealityofobediencebeneaththefeetofdisciples;andifweare
goingtoliveasthepeopleofGod,weneedmoredatathanourownexperiencestodrawfrom.
Biblicalhistoryisagoodmemoryforwhatdoesanddoesnotwork.Psalm132activatesfaith’s
memorysothatobediencewillbegrounded.
Hope:ARaceTowardsGod’sPromises:
Psalm132doesn’tjustkeepourfeetontheground,italsogetsthemofftheground.For
obedienceisnotastodgyploddingintherutsofreligion,itisahopefulracetowardGod’s
promises.Obedienceisfulfilledbyhope.Psalm132cultivatesahopethatgiveswingsto
obedience,ahopethatisconsistentwiththerealityofwhatGodhasdoneinthepastbutisnot
confinedtoit.AlltheexpectationslistedinPsalm132havetheirorigininanaccurately
rememberedpast.ChristianswhomasterPsalm132willbeprotectedfromthedangerthatwe
shouldreduceChristianexistencetorituallyobeyingafewcommandmentsthatarecongenial
toourtemperamentandconvenienttoourstandardofliving.Itgivesus,instead,avisioninto
thefuturesothatwecanseewhatisrightbeforeus.ObedienceisdoingwhatGodtellsusto
doinit.
TheStrengthtoStand,theWillingnesstoLeap:
InsuchwaysPsalm132cultivatesthememoryandnurturesthehopethatleadtomature
obedience.ForChristianlivingdemandsthatwekeepourfeetontheground;italsoasksusto
makealeapoffaith.Whatwerequireisobedience—thestrengthtostandandthewillingness
toleap,andthesensetoknowwhentodowhich.Whichisexactlywhatwegetwhenan
accuratememoryofGod’swaysiscombinedwithalivelyhopeinHispromises.
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15:COMMUNITY:“LIKECOSTLYANOINTINGOILFLOWINGDOWNHEAD&BEARD”‐PSALM
133
Psalm133(ESV)
1Behold,howgoodandpleasantitis
whenbrothersdwellinunity!
2Itislikethepreciousoilonthehead,
runningdownonthebeard,
onthebeardofAaron,
runningdownonthecollarofhisrobes!
3ItislikethedewofHermon,
whichfallsonthemountainsofZion!
FortheretheLORDhascommandedtheblessing,
lifeforevermore.
OurmembershipinthechurchisacorollaryofourfaithinChrist.Wecannomorebea
Christianandhavenothingtodowiththechurchthanwecanbeapersonandnotbeina
family.WhenwebecomeChristians,weareamongbrothersandsistersinfaith.NoChristianis
anonlychild.
NotLikePayingTaxes:
ThisPsalmputsintosongwhatissaidanddemonstratedthroughoutScripture:communityis
essential.Godneverworkswithindividualsinisolationforisolation,butalwayswithpeoplein
community.Howgreatitistohaveeveryonesharingacommonpurpose,travelingacommon
path,strivingtowardacommongoal,thatpathandpurposeandgoalbeingGod.
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TwoWaystoAvoidCommunity:
LivingtogetherinawaythatevokesthegladsongofPsalm133isoneofthegreatandarduous
tasksbeforeChrist’speople.Nothingismoredifficult.Acommonwaytoavoidcommunityisto
dealwithpeopleasproblemstobesolvedratherthanseethemasbrothersandsistersto
serve.Christians,rightfullyunderstood,areacommunityofpeoplewhoarevisiblytogetherat
worshipbutwhoalsoremaininrelationshipthroughtheweekinwitnessandservice.Another
commonwaytoavoidcommunityistoturnthechurchintoaninstitution.Inthiswaypeople
aretreatednotonthebasisofpersonalrelationshipsbutintermsofimpersonalfunctions.
EverycommunityofChristiansisimperiledwheneitherroutesarepursued:therouteof
definingpeopleasproblemstobesolved,thewayonemightrepairanautomobileortheroute
oflumpingpeopletogetherintermsofeconomicabilityorinstitutionaleffectiveness,theway
onemightrunabank.Somewhereelseliescommunity—aplacewhereeachpersonistaken
seriously,learnstotrustothers,dependonothers,becompassionatewithothers,rejoiceswith
others.
EachOther’sPriest:
ThefirstimageofthisPsalmisoneofanointingwithcostlyoil.Theoilwasbeingused
symbolicallytorepresentmarkingapersonasapriest.Livingtogethermeansseeingmy
brotherandsisterasmypriest.WhenweseetheotherasGod’sanointed,ourrelationshipsare
profoundlyaffected.ItisnotwhataChristianisinthemselves,theirspiritualityandpiety,which
constitutesthebasisofourcommunity.Whatdeterminesourbrotherhoodiswhatamanisby
reasonofChrist.OurcommunitywithoneanotherconsistssolelyinwhatChristhaddonetous
andwhatChristmakesus.
ThesecondimageofthisPsalmisthedewonMountHermonflowingdowntheslopesofZion.
SymbolicoftherenewingspiritthatGodprovidesus.Importantinanycommunityoffaithisan
ever‐renewedexpectationofwhatGodisdoingwithourbrothersandsistersinthefaith.When
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weareincommunitywiththoseChristlovesandredeems,weareconstantlyfindingoutnew
thingsaboutthem.Theyarenewpersonseachmorning,endlessintheirpossibilities,renewed
bytheloveofChrist.
Theoilcommunicateswarm,priestlyrelationship.Thedewcommunicatesfreshandexpectant
newness.
RousingGoodFellowship:
Christiansarealwaysattemptingandneverquitesucceedatgettingapictureofthelife
everlasting.Psalm1333throwsoutjustahintofheaven.Itiswhererelationshipsarewarmand
expectanciesfresh,wearealreadybeginningtoenjoythelifetogetherthatwillbecompletedin
ourlifeeverlasting.
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16:BLESSING:“LIFTYOURPRAISNIGHANDS”‐PSALM134
Psalm134(ESV)
1Come,blesstheLORD,allyouservantsoftheLORD,
whostandbynightinthehouseoftheLORD!
2Liftupyourhandstotheholyplace
andblesstheLORD!
3MaytheLORDblessyoufromZion,
hewhomadeheavenandearth!
Stand,Stoop,Stay:
Thewayofdiscipleshipbeginsinanactofrepentanceandconcludesinalifeofpraise.God
entersintoacovenantwithus,hepoursouthisownlifeforus,hesharesthegoodnessofhis
Spirit,thevitalityofhiscreation,thejoysofhisredemption.Thatisblessing.
TheGodwhostands,stoops,andstayssummarizesthepostureofblessing:Godstands—heis
foundationalanddependable;Godstoops—hekneelstoourlevelandmeetsuswhereweare;
Godstays—hestickswithusthroughhardtimesandgood,sharinghislifewithusingraceand
peace.
AnInvitationandaCommand:
Psalm134featuresthewordblessinginaformthatmightbecalledaninvitationanda
command.BlessGod.Dothatforwhichyouwerecreatedandredeemed;liftyouvoicesin
gratitude;enterintothecommunityofpraiseandprayerthatanticipatesthefinal
consummationoffaithinheaven.BlessTheLord.
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FeelingsDon’tRuntheShow:
Liftyourarmsinblessingandjustmaybeyourheartwillgetthemessageandbeliftedupalsoin
praise.Findtherightthingstodo,practicetheactions,andotherthingswillfollow.Bychanging
ourbehaviorwecanchangeourfeelings.Thiscreatesanatmospherewherefeelingsdon’trun
theshow.Thereisarealitydeeperthanfeelings.BlessTheLord.
TakingGodseriouslybutNotOurselves:
NevertakeyourselfseriouslyandalwaystakeGodseriously,andtherefore,youwillbefullof
cheerfulness,andexuberantwithblessing.Blessingisattheendofthisroad.Andthatwhichis
attheendoftheroadinfluenceseverythingthattakesplacealongtheroad.Ajoyfulend
requiresajoyfulmeans.BlesstheLord.
TheChiefEnd:
Ifyoudonotconveyjoyinyourdemeanorandgestureandspeech,youwillnotbeanauthentic
witnessforJesusChrist.DelightinwhatGodisdoing,isessentialinourwork.Themainthingis
notworkfortheLord;itisnotsufferinginthenameoftheLord;itisnotwitnessingforthe
Lord;itisnotteachingSundayschoolfortheLord;itisnotbeingresponsibleforthesakeofthe
Lordinthecommunity;itisnotkeepingtheTenCommandments;notlovingyourneighbor;not
observingthegoldenrule.ThechiefendofmanistoglorifyGodandenjoyhimforever.Thisis
thedestinationofourascentasChristians;God’sgloryinourenjoymentofGod.BlesstheLord.
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