Down an Unfamiliar Road

HE IS MY LORD –

Keeping up their theme in Songs of Ascent for pilgrims, the compilers of the Psalter chose this one to reflect the joy of arriving at the Holy Sanctuary after a long and grueling journey; a place where they could renew their strength. By this time their feet were tired; they were thirsty and hungry; their bodies ached for refreshment. But most of all they felt excitement building in their hearts about seeing the place where God dwelled, so that they could worship Him with sincerity and joy. If it was their first time, they were about to find out whether or not all they had been told about the thrill of standing in the presence of One True God was true. They couldn’t wait; nor did they want this privilege to ever be taken away from them. And if they had been to the Holy City before, they wanted to know if God was still real and ready to receive their praise and worship. And if so, they prayed that such joy would never end.

“I rejoiced when my friends finally told me, ‘We can go up now to the house of the LORD Eternal!’ So here we are, our feet stand inside your gates, O Jerusalem; yes, in Jerusalem, a city built to unite our hearts. It’s here that families come to worship; the families that belong to the Lord; to worship the LORD Eternal for the great God is – as they have been instructed to do. We can see where the thrones of David’s descendants once stood, from which they judged the people. O how I pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you live in tranquility. Yes, may peace be found inside your walls, and serenity within your houses. And I pray your city will be a place of peace where people live in harmony. For the benefit of our family and friends, I pray for peace. For the benefit of the house of the LORD Eternal, our One True God, I only want what’s best for your good.” Psalm 122:1-9

Reflection: As a boy I remember watching adults in our church close their eyes and sing hymns with such inner joy and peace, that I was sure they believed every single word they sang. I can still picture my precious grandmother, with teary eyes and raised hands, singing one of Isaac Watts’ most beloved hymns: “We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful, Zion; we’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.” I image that in her mind she was thinking of the New Jerusalem, not the old one which she had never seen, and would be unable to ever visit during her lifetime. But as her grandson, I had the great privilege of walking the streets of Jerusalem, looking at those ancient walls with awe and wonder. One time, as I stood looking back at the Eastern Gate from the Mount of Olives, I recalled her singing that wonderful old song. Then the thought crossed my mind that one day, when Messiah comes in a cloud of glory; opens that Eastern Gate and enters Jerusalem to rule and reign for a thousand years, she and I will sing that song together as we arrive with Him at the city, to honor Him as KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. Like the psalmist, I pray for the peace of Jerusalem today, that God’s blessings will be poured out on her for His glory.

HE WILL NOT LET ME FALL –

The compilers of these Songs of Ascent wanted to provide a psalm that would offer a source of comfort to those pilgrims on their way to the Holy Place where God’s presence dwelt; one that boasted of God’s abiding presence along the way, especially in times of hardship and distress. As these pilgrims ascended from the lower plains of Jericho, with its dusty and lonely trails up to the holy city built on Mt. Zion, with the House of God on the highest hill, they were encouraged to join others in praising and honoring the Almighty for His steadfast love and tender loving care. They needed this because they passed many shrines and grottoes along the way where they could have stopped and said their prayers. But they were looking for the real thing, they wanted their encounter with God to be alive; they refused to settle for some worn-out, broken down, substitute image.

“I’m looking up to the hills where my strength comes from; this is where I find the most help. Yes, my strength comes only from the LORD Eternal, the one who created the universe. For He will not allow trouble to catch you unawares; because your Heavenly Guardian never gets drowsy or falls asleep. Let me say that again, the Guardian of Believers never gets drowsy or falls asleep. Because your Heavenly Guardian is the LORD Eternal, yes, the LORD Eternal stands guard over you at all times. That way, neither hot dreary days nor cold miserable nights will make you want to quit. For the LORD Eternal will be your Champion against all that’s meant to discourage you; your life is in His hands. That’s right, coming or going; the LORD Eternal is always by your side.” Psalm 121:1-8

Reflection: While living in Switzerland I heard about a young Swiss girl who lived in the Alps, and went out each day to collect beautiful Edelweiss flowers to sell. One day while looking for them she fell into a rocky crevice, becoming hopelessly wedged between boulders, unable to free herself. Someone heard her cries for help and went to rescue her, but they were too large to fit into the narrow cleft where she was tightly lodged. So they ran back to the village and brought a young boy known for his agility, along with some rugged men to lower him to the girl and free her so she could climb out. But when these hearty men took hold of the rope to tie it around his waist in order to lower him, the little lad refused. They couldn’t understand why until he told them that unless they could guarantee that his father, a short, frail man, also held onto the cord, he didn’t want to risk his life saving the girl. When the men asked him why having his father hold the rope made any difference, the young lad replied, “Because I know, my papa will not let go.” Without question the writer of this psalm felt the same sense of certainty when it came to his Heavenly Guardian’s commitment to guard his life. Such a pledge certainly offered each pilgrim the reassurance they needed to continue on their way with confidence, despite the treacherous road and long journey. What better way for any believer to walk with blessed assurance, than to do so in confidence that their Father in Heaven never sleeps, let’s go, or walks off and leaves them to the mercy of the elements. Some people think God’s gets angry and walks away when we get into trouble, but the psalmist believed the opposite; that this is when God stays the closest because He knows we need Him then more than ever.

Don’t tell me there is no God unless you can prove it. Don’t say it’s just because you can’t see Him. Not when you’ll believe it when someone says they’ve seen a ghost, but you won’t believe someone who says God spoke to them. God is also a Spirit, so what about Him? The same goes for you and oxygen. Would you say you don’t believe in oxygen because you can’t see it? Yet without oxygen you would not be alive. The same goes for you and God. Oxygen exists, but if you don’t breathe it in you’re killing yourself. God exists, but until you let Him breathe into you a new life, you’ll remain spiritually dead – forever. – Dr Robert R Seyda

HE IS OUR PEACE – 

After the inspiring story of the young pilgrim in the previous Psalm, the compilers of the Psalter put together a series of psalms to be used during pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the many feast and festivals held there each year, especially Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles. They became known as the “Songs of Ascent.” The first one they selected told the story of a pilgrim who tells how he tried to cope while living in a world of unbelievers; how he had to battle against their attempts to dissuade him with untruths and made-up tales about meaningless faith. But all he wanted was to have the peace of God in his heart to sustain him on his journey.

“When I encountered difficulties, I called out to the LORD Eternal and He heard my prayer. I said, ‘O LORD Eternal, don’t let me become a victim of lying lips and deceitful tongues.’ So to all my opponents I say, ‘What else should I ask Him to do to you; what more should be done with you, you bunch of liars? You are all like madmen armed with piercing arrows tipped with burning coals.’ I realize now I stayed too long in the company of worldly people. Yes, I lived too long with people who hated any idea of living in peace. I’ve always been for peace, but every time I tried to bring it up they silenced me, all they want to do is fight.” Psalm 120:1-7

Reflection: During evening devotions held in the tabernacle at a campground near West Bend, Wisconsin in August 1899, evangelist Warren Cornell started jotting down the thoughts that ran through his mind while meditating. When the service was over, he got up to go out and unwittingly dropped the notes on the ground. An hour later musician W. G. Cooper came into the tent and spotted the scrap of paper on the ground. After reading the note he immediately sat down at the organ and composed a melody to go with the words. Thus was born this hymn that became a favorite in many churches: “Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight, rolls a melody sweeter than psalm; in celestial like strains it unceasingly falls o’er my soul like an infinite calm. “Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above; sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.” Many pilgrims sought the same kind of experience as they walked toward the Holy City in search of God’s peace and calming touch. In the midst of a slanderous world among people who live out their lives believing lies as though they were truth, it is a wonderful way to remain steady and serene in God’s presence. What we learn from the words of the Psalmist, and those of Evangelist Cornell, is that peace comes only to those who desire it. The miracle of peace comes from the fact that one’s love for God feels secure in His promise never to leave us or forsake us.

LET NOTHING STOP YOU –

The young psalmist who wrote this psalm, feels it’s time to bring his saga to an end. He is hoping that the readers will appreciate all the difficult times he’s been through; that they will understand how fiercely he battled with doubts and confusion, but how that made him hold on even tighter to the principles and promises that God gave him to study and learn as a stronger believer than he was when he started journey. He also hopes everyone can gain understanding from his clashes with detractors and opponents who tried to convince him that he had chosen the wrong road in achieving success in life. Yes, it slowed him down on occasions, but he never let it stop him or cause him to consider quitting. Instead, it drove him to his knees again and again in search of God’s blessed assurance.

“The authority are trying to put a stop to my cause for no reason, but my heart remains in awe of Your counsel. For me, I have as much excitement in Your promise as someone would who just discovered a huge hidden treasure. I not only detest lying, I hate it; but I’m deeply in love with Your Teachings.

All day long I find myself praising You for providing Your guidance. There is an abiding peace that comes to those who love and obey Your Teachings, because it removes stumbling-blocks in their path.

That’s why I don’t plan to give up, O LORD Eternal, as I continue to be guided by Your commandments.

I plan to hold Your instructions in high esteem, because I love them very, very much. Yes, Your guidelines and instructions will lead me all the way, because You notice everything I do.”

“Let my plea touch Your heart, O LORD Eternal, that through Your advice I will receive greater understanding. Let my prayer reach Your ear; because I believe in what You promised me. Let my my lips pour out praise to You, because You’ve taught me Your principles for living, Let my tongue sing about Your promise; for all Your commandments are true and perfect. Let Your hand remain outstretched to me, because I’ve chosen to live by your guidelines. Let me long for the day You come to my rescue, O LORD Eternal; and Your Teachings prove to be the greatest blessing in my life. Let me live to celebrate You; for Your guidance is what kept me on the right path. Although I may stray like a lost lamb; searched for Your servant; because I’m still holding on to Your commandments.” Psalm 119:161-176

Reflection: As a result of her voluntary work to improve poor sanitary conditions in war camps during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln invited Julia Howe and her husband to Washington, D.C., to say thanks. One night the Howe’s visited a Union Army camp in Virginia across the Potomac River, and heard the men singing a song in honor of slain slave abolitionist, John Brown. When she woke up the next morning it was overcast outside, and the melody that these men sang continued to resonate in her head. She was so inspired that she sat down and wrote new lyrics for the same melody. In so doing, she created a new anthem for her people to sing: “He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat; Oh, be swift my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet, our God is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Our God is marching on.” The psalmist shares the same feelings about his spiritual battle, and the fact that he too wanted the war to be over. He felt that he fought a good fight, he kept the faith, and he finished the course by remaining faithful and loyal. In Julia Howe and the Psalmist we have beautiful examples of how they saw the battle between right and wrong; between good ideas and bad as a possibility for truth to conquer and prevail. So in the midst of our spiritual conflicts, why not join them in a chorus of triumph, knowing God and His Word will win out in the end. Julia Howe said that God was marching on; the Psalmist said that with God’s help he would keep marching on; so let us join them in marching forward with God.

GET OVER IT, AND GET ON WITH IT –

After renewing his commitment to God, then pledging his full faith and confidence in God’s Word and steadfast love to see him through, the young man writing this psalm now sees fit to give a very personal and graphic picture of the misery and pain caused by those working against him. He did this to get rid of it and to get over it. He was not interested in merely sounding good or filling the page with beautiful poetic expressions of thanks and praise, but to seal his pledge of remaining true and faithful to the cause for which he was called. He didn’t care so much what his critics thought, but he was certainly interested in convincing God that he could be counted on to remain strong and resolute against all odds.

“I pour out my heart to You, O LORD Eternal, and since I treasure Your principles for living, I want to hear from You. Yes, I cry out to You so You can get me through this difficulty, that way I’ll be able to continue following Your instructions. In fact, I get up at the break of dawn and fall on my knees in prayer, I’m putting my hope in Your counsel. And I stay away awake late into the night so I can continue meditating on Your promises. O LORD Eternal, be graceful and listen to my prayer; and since You are known for doing things right, renew my spirit of commitment. Those who love only for the joy of the flesh seem to be surrounding me; they pay less and less attention to Your Teaching. But You are always close by, O LORD Eternal; and Your commandments have proven to be true. Long ago I found out through Your instructions, that You always back up what You say.”

“So take a look at what I’m going through and help me find a way to cope with it, for I have not stopped living according to Your Teachings. I pray You will stand up for my cause and support my efforts; I’m depending on Your promise to keep me motivated. Any hope of escaping a terrible end is slipping away from the wicked, because they completely ignore Your principles for living. Your compassion is endless, O LORD Eternal, so in keeping with Your declarations, strengthen my resolve. Although the number of my critics and opponents is increasing, I’ve given no thought to turning away from Your instructions to me. I must admit, these back-stabbers disgust me; because they do not take Your advice seriously. You see how much affection I have for Your guidelines, O LORD Eternal, so according to Your grace, give me the strength to keep going. One thing Your advice has proven beyond all doubt, that it is true; therefore all your just declarations will endure forever.” Psalm 119:145-160

Reflection: We’ve learned from history that Secretary of State William Seward took the final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation to President Abraham Lincoln at noon on Thursday, January 1, 1853, and laid it on the President’s desk. Twice President Lincoln picked up his ink pen to sign the proclamation, and twice he laid the pen back down without doing so. Turning to Secretary Seward, President Lincoln remarked, “I have been shaking people’s hands since 9:00 o’clock this morning, and my right arm is almost paralyzed. If my name ever goes into history, it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it. If my hand trembles when I sign the proclamation, all who examine the document hereafter will say, ‘He hesitated’.” After a short pause, the president then took up the pen and slowly but firmly signed it “Abraham Lincoln.” That historic act forever endeared Lincoln to the world as the Great Emancipator. The psalmist felt a similar conviction about what he signed onto when he agreed to follow God’s Word and live by His directions and guidelines for living. He didn’t want his family, friends, neighbors, and especially his adversaries to detect any doubt or hesitation in his heart or mind about his dedication to the cause. He knew that God possessed the only source of strength that allowed him to keep his steel resolve. But both the psalmist and President Lincoln serve as examples to follow when we are confronted by those who don’t believe we stand by what we say. Each day we should ask ourselves, if we were being judged for being wholeheartedly committed to God’s will and purpose for our lives, would our harshest critics doubt us because they saw some hesitation in our vows?

DON’T BE AFRAID TO COMMIT –

After a short pause and quick rest, the young pilgrim writing this psalm now looks toward his goal and his continued walk with God. He has already settled everything in his heart as it relates to what it might cost him in terms of friends or suffering. Now he reckons the cost of completing God’s will and purpose for his life, and quickly commits himself to pay any price in order to stay loyal to his God and King. Up until now he has let his actions speak louder than words, but now he’s prepared to put his testimony on the line, regardless of what others might think about his faith. He wants his detractors to know that he will stand firm through all the trials and tribulations meant to deter him and cause him to give up.

“Your instructions are more than wonderful; that’s why I follow them so closely. Your eye-opening advice brings great insight; they can quickly open a closed mind. I get very excited about seriously studying the commandments You’ve given. So look on me with eyes full of blessings, because You are known for issuing favorable directives to those who love You for who You are. Map out my journey in keeping with the advice You’ve given me; don’t let me get sidetracked with things that do not please You. Bring me through all the put-downs and ridicule I’m getting, and I will dedicate my live to living by Your guidelines. As Your servant, give me Your smile of approval, and help me learn Your principles for living. It brings tears to my eyes that flow like a river, when I see others who pay no attention to Your Teachings.”

“You are so unbiased, O LORD Eternal; as are You’re directions on ethical living. You have issued instructions on how to live right and be reliable in every way. Sometimes I feel like I’m trying too hard, because those who disrespect me have completely dismissed Your advice. Your advice is so pure and refined; as Your servant I cherish it deeply. I may be a nobody to others, but that has not kept me from being dedicated to Your guidelines for living. Your idea of right living is meant to last forever, and Your Teachings are built on truth. My road has become rough and rocky, but obeying Your commandments still brings me great delight. You’re instructions will always be right, so give me a better grasp of them so I can go all the way.” Psalm 119:129-144

Reflection: During World War II, England came under the greatest bombardment in its history. German dictator Adolph Hitler, attacked this island nation with a huge inventory of Nazi V1 and V2 rockets. To encourage his people, Prime Minister Winston Churchill stood up on Tuesday, June 4, 1940, and delivered these inspiring words to members of the House of Commons. “We shall not flag nor fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength…we shall fight on beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets, and on the hills. We shall never surrender!” Although our young psalmist did not face as severe a situation as the British, nevertheless he felt the same need to dedicate himself to fight until the bitter end. Like Winston Churchill, he expressed the same resolve to continue and never entertain for a second the idea, or listen to any suggestion, of giving in or giving up. Like the great English statesman, our psalmist knew that victory only came by striving for survival. He was determined not to allow anything to stop him short of triumph. With the war against everything honest, moral, ethical and Godly growing stronger each day, let us ask ourselves if we are ready to rise up and follow the example of these two heroes; of standing tall and staying committed to everything we know to be true, no matter the consequences, and no matter what it may require or cost us.

LIVING WITH A MADE-UP MIND –

The young believer writing this psalm now pauses in his story, as he begins to reassess his situation after he realized how hard his opponents were trying to get him to change his mind. He wants God to know that he’s very aware of the consequences of following or not following His will. He also wants to report that he’s doing everything in his power to comply with God’s purpose and plan for his life. In so doing this young pilgrim proves himself to be a wise and able sojourner, by never feeling embarrassed or afraid to ask God for directions, especially when not sure which way to turn at an intersection, or get around detours or blockades. His burning desire is to finish the journey at any cost.

“I really don’t like people who compromise easily, that’s why I love Your principles for living so much. Your advice is what I wait for, because You make me feel safe and secure. I simply push people like that away from me; so I can be more committed to the commandments given by the One True God. Oh give me the strength You promised, so I can remain steadfast in my commitment; I don’t want to end up looking like a fool because of my faith. Please hold on to me as I hold on to Your principles for living; this will guarantee my going all the way. You have little time for those people who pretend to follow Your principles for living; all this going through the motions is meaningless. In the end You will throw people like that away as trash, that’s why I take Your instructions so seriously. I get goose bumps because of my reverence for You, as I stand in awe of all the directives You’ve given us.”

“So I’ve dedicated myself to doing what’s just and honest; I’m depending on You not to abandon me to those who can’t wait to torment me. You’ve given Your guarantee that living right will be rewarded; so don’t let these arrogant know-it-all’s take advantage of my situation. Every day I hope and pray that deliverance is on its way; that when You promise something You mean it. So I’m asking that Your grace be applied to my life, and will help me learn Your instructions even better. I’m proud to be Your servant, so give me discernment to better comprehend Your instructions for my life. That’s why I’m looking for my LORD Eternal to do something, the need to know it’s wrong to go against Your Teachings. Your commandments that I love are worth their weight in gold; they are truly priceless. That’s why I treat guidelines like the treasure they are, and throwaway all the false notions that I deplore.” Psalm 119:113-128

Reflection: Former President Ronald Reagan told the story about his aunt who took him to a shoemaker for a pair of new shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan if he wanted shoes with square toes or round ones. Unable to decide on the spur of the moment, Ronnie asked the shoemaker to give him a few days to think it over. Several days later the cobbler saw young Ronald on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted on his new shoes. Reagan still couldn’t decide, so the shoemaker told him to drop by the store in a couple of days and pick them up. When the future president finely got around to getting his shoes, he discovered that one shoe had a round toe and the other one was square. “This should teach you never to let people make decisions for you,” the cobbler told young Reagan. “I learned right there and then,” Reagan said, “If you don’t make your own decisions, someone else will.” It’s clear that the psalmist came to the same conclusion. His opponents no doubt challenged him over and over again to be sure about his commitment; they wanted to know if he really understood the consequences of depending solely on God for instructions and guidance. In the end he made up his mind and decided to stick with God’s plan no matter what. Both the psalmist and the late President teach us a valuable lesson on the effect of double-mindedness. Ask yourself, if someone suddenly confronted you, forcing you to choose between what you know to be right, moral and ethical, and those things that do not conform to God’s word, would you hesitate in making a decision? If you do, someone else will end up deciding your future for you. And as far as we know, there is no heavenly reward for that.

You should not believe in your belief, unless you really believe in what you believe. Because belief can only become true belief when you truly believe it’s true – Believe it or not! – Dr. Robert R Seyda

Sometimes I get tired of all the commercials on TV because they seem endless and I want to see the program. But I realize they are the ones paying the bill, so why not endure it. However, there is another lesson the be learned from such ads. Take for instance the ad to help cure acne; the one for arthritis pain; the one for headaches; the one for high blood pressure, cholesterol; the ones advertising cancer and diabetes treatment, just to mention a few. If it were not for acne, arthritis, headaches, high blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer, diabetes etc., these cures and treatments would not be advertised!

The same goes for the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the forgiveness of sins; and the way to salvation, and living a holy life.  If there were no sin and no consequences of sin then Christianity and the preaching of the gospel would not exist; there would be no cross, no resurrection and no return of the Messiah.  Why then, please tell me, so many ministers only talk about how loving and caring and forgiving God is; extolling His love and grace and mercy without mentioning the severe consequences if such love and grace and mercy is ignored? If we are all going to heaven no matter what, then close down the churches, sell the pulpits for firewood and lets have a party until we die! The truth of the matter is that without God’s grace and love and mercy; without Christ’s death on the cross and His miraculous resurrection; without the blood that washes away all sin, our destiny is eternal punishment.

What would you think of someone going around offering a cure for a disease that no one has? What would you say about someone offering free airfare to a place that does not exist? Remember the bridge to nowhere up in Alaska! Why preach heaven if there is no hell? Why preach salvation if there is no punishment for sin? Why preach eternal life if there is no eternal separation from God? Yes, it is God’s desire that none should perish, that all should be saved, but that’s because we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. One has no meaning without the other.