Psalm 120

“In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, or what shall be done to you, you false tongue? Sharp arrows of the warrior, with coals of the broom tree! Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” Psalm 120:1-7 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm begins a collection of 15 psalms known as the “Songs of Ascent.”  These are psalms the Jewish people sang on their journey to worship in Jerusalem, the “city on a hill.” There were three times/year that God commanded all Jewish men to “go up” (ascend) and worship Him in Jerusalem: Passover, Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Festival of Booths).  These songs would be the soundtrack to their pilgrimage.  Most of them cover a familiar pattern of conflict, reflection on God, and worship.  In that sense, we can relate to these songs because they convey the same process of reflection we go through whenever we go to church with our issues.  And we WILL have conflict in this life. Jesus promised as much.  

“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.’” John 15:20 (NKJV)

The Songs of Ascent help us remember that the peace that “passes understanding” is not the absence of conflict but the presence of peace in the midst of conflict.

“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7 (NKJV)

I heard one pastor say that Jesus did not come to get us out of trouble as much as He came to get into trouble with us!  As we “go up” to worship, it is important that our petitions for justice (concerning unjust treatment from people who oppose Christ in us) must be measured with the understanding that Jesus, our Advocate (1 John 2:1), also prays for us.  And even though we cannot see Him, He has promised never to leave or forsake us. (Psalm 23; Hebrews 13:5)

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15 (NKJV)

So, while we are called by grace to be His witnesses to the lost and dying, His grace involves both our serving and suffering.  Still, He is presently with us, in the midst of our suffering, the Guarantor of our victory in what He has called us to accomplish in His Name, for His glory and by the power of His Spirit!  And there is peace in that.