He's Not Deaf!
Opening Prayer
This Lord’s day, offer God your praise and worship. Tell God of your gratitude for all that he is and does.
Read Psalm 120:1-7
[1]A song of ascents. I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me. [2] Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. [3] What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? [4] He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. [5] Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! [6] Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. [7] I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What is the danger to the psalmist here?Scholars have suggested that Psalm 120 dates back to the rebuilding of the wall in Nehemiah’s day (Michael Wilcock, The Message of Psalms). Whether this conjecture is accurate or not, the suggestion sheds an interesting light on the distress expressed and the reference to being a man of peace among people who want war. Nehemiah knew what it was like to know that God had called him to a task, yet to experience the resistance of others. As those under the Lordship of Christ, we seek to live in such a way that others are drawn to discover the real peace experienced when we receive God’s forgiveness and are reconciled to God. This is not always understood by those around us and sometimes we will face opposition. Whatever the personal distress, we trust in a God who is present amid turmoil and responds. Like the psalmist, we are called to be people of peace who ultimately worship the God who answers. If you are in distress, call out to God today and know that he has not left you, he is not deaf—he will respond.
Apply
Are you or is someone close to you in distress of some kind? If so, bring it to the Lord, trusting he will hear and answer.
Closing prayer
Lord, I thank You that You are a God who wants us to pray, listens to our prayers and answers them, too.
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