A LONG OBEDIENCE IN THE SAME DIRECTION

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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:

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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

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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

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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.

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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.