The Humility to Pursue Deliverance

When I was giving my focus for this morning to Bro. Craig…giving him something to go towards with music themes…I told him today’s title could be The Hot Mess & Humility or something to that effect.

We have to note that that this Psalmist starts off our Study in the Psalms of Ascent.

And he starts off a clear picture of the things deal with in this life. For instance: distress, misery at times, war…both physical and spiritual.

This morning we start with the Psalms of Ascent which are rightly named as we are speaking of the physical ascent to Jerusalem which itself does set up on a hill.

We might think of the Pilgrims upward journey.

Or the physical climbing of the pilgrimage vs the Spiritual climbing of pilgrimage towards the Lord.

One might remember Psalm 24:3-4

Psalm 24:3–4 ESV

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

With the recognition that this Psalms of Ascent are all about the Journey towards the Lord…an upward journey…a focused journey.

Psalm 120 ESV

A Song of Ascents. 1 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. 2 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. 3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? 4 A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! 5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. 7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!

Call, He Answers!

Psalm 120:1 ESV

In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.

Surrender, He Restores!

Psalm 120:2–4 ESV

2 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. 3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? 4 A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!

Lying lips - slander

Deceits

Arrows shot at character

Romans 12:19 ESV

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Acknowledge, He Battles!

Psalm 120:5–7 ESV

Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!

Romans 12:18 ESV

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Matthew 5:9 ESV

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Walking Away, But In…

Call

Surrender

Acknowledge

Rest