Look to the Lord in Times of Trouble

Wed, May 13, 2020 Bethel Baptist Church, Laramie, WY Pastor Nathan Sehi What we look to for hope and deliverance in time of trial says a lot about our faith. Many look to their own might, the government, therapeutic helps, and a host over other false-hopes. But a true believer knows where his mercy and deliverance will come from. It is God. Therefore, his general orientation during trials and struggles is to look to God. Psalm 123 reminds us to look to God for deliverance. Psalm 123 – Look to the Lord in Times of Trouble WBC: This short psalm gives powerful expression to a reaction to human distress in terms of religious trust and hope. The two final verses resound like a repeated S O S signal sent off by desperate people. But balance is supplied by the introductory strophe, which aims to give a new clarity to eyes dimmed by suffering, by pointing to heaven. The precentor bravely leads the way in formulating the answer to the woeful situation. His implicit call to faith opens up a way forward by appeal to the supernatural resources that the God of the covenant can and surely will supply. Questions 1) Why does the author look to the Lord? What does he expect to find? 2) Why does the author look for God’s mercy of hope and deliverance when he faces contempt from the proud? What does this teach us about how God works in our own lives? 3) How does this passage teach the need to wait on God? Does your life characterize this kind of waiting? Author: Unknown Structure: A strophe Psalm Background: The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120–134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101– 150(WBC), 219–21. (ESV Study Bible) Outline: 1. Our Eyes Look Toward our God for Mercy. (Ps 123:1-2) 2. A Plea for God to Provide Relief from the Scorn of the Proud. (Ps 123:3-4) 4) In what ways does your trust and waiting need improvement? Pray and ask the Lord to help you trust and wait for his deliverance.