Down an Unfamiliar Road

Sometime ago I heard a new Christian song that went like this: “I am forgiven, I have been given another chance. There’s no condemnation. Your grace is sufficient to cover my past.” An alarm bell immediately went off in my spirit. Chance! This word describes an unknown and unpredictable happening with no assignable cause. It’s associated with luck and accidental outcome, like a lottery ticket, a slot machine, a roll of the dice, or spinning a fortune wheel. Yes, English speakers have made this a synonym for opportunity, but the two could not be different. Chance comes from an old French word that simply means where something lands when it falls. Opportunity means: the right time and the right place. Receiving God’s grace is certainly more than luck or coincidence. I’m sure the songwriters meant well, and the melody is catchy. But without God sending His Holy Spirit, what chance did we have? None! And after the Holy Spirit came, was meeting Him dependent on chance? Absolutely not! God didn’t take a chance on us; He sent the Holy Spirit on purpose to called us for a reason. Once we are His, if we disobey His will, getting back in harmony with Him won’t be by chance. No, if we confess our sins, He forgives us of our sins, and we continue our relationship. He doesn’t just give us a second chance to start all over. God’s purpose for our lives is not like a dart board, so that each time we miss the mark we try again to see if we’re luckier the next time. No, He takes us by the hand and leads us where He wants us to go, so we can be what He intended for us to be. So do not depend upon chance to find your place in God’s plan for your life, let Him guide you there on purpose.

PATRIOTS IN GOD’S KINGDOM –

Pilgrims not only faced obstacles and dangerous stretches along the highway on their journey to the Holy City of God, but also had to guard themselves against the possibility of letting the lure of worldly influence and power cause them to become sidetracked and complacent about their faith and continuing their passage. So the compilers of the Psalter wanted to include a Song of Ascent that reminded the pilgrims of God’s promises and His provisions to those who remain faithful and true to their calling. They wanted the pilgrims to know that real success cannot be credited to anyone who does not finish the race; does not complete their mission; or does not prove trustworthy. It is the good and faithful servant who is invited into the eternal kingdom to co-reign with the KING of kings.

“Those who absolutely trust the LORD Eternal are as immovable as a mountain; they are as solid as a rock. Yes, just like the Holy City of God has mountains that surround it, so the LORD Eternal will encircle His children from now into eternity. And He will never allow the ungodly to become leaders of the community of believers, thus keeping those who live right from becoming defensive and commit offensive acts. O LORD Eternal, we ask You to be good to those who are good to others; those who have kind and descent hearts. The LORD Eternal will deal with those who go back to a life of sin; He may march them off to judgment with other sinners. But let the believer walk in His blessed assurance.” Psalm 125:1-5

Reflection: After prayer and consultation with friends, the great reformer Martin Luther presented himself before the German Imperial Diet – Legislative Assembly – on Wednesday, April 17, 1521, in the city of Worms, Germany. He stood accused of being a heretic by Pope Leo III, and was ordered to stand trial. The moderator, a well-known theologian named Johann Maier von Eck, asked Luther if he still believed in the things he wrote concerning the church’s role in salvation. Taking a deep breath, Luther looked his accusers in the eyes and stated boldly without flinching, “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me! Amen.” A few weeks later, on Saturday, May 25^th, in his Edict of Worms, Emperor Charles V declared Luther to be an outlaw to the church and its teachings. Today, few people, if any, remember anything about Charles V, but around the world believers celebrate the courage of Martin Luther, and look to him as a champion of freedom from ecclesiastical powers that use their position of influence and authority to take away salvation they cannot grant. The psalmist never gave doubt or compromises a thought; he wants to remain solid and unmovable in his faith, just as God was solid and unmovable in His promises. Both the psalmist and Luther present us with awe inspiring examples of commitment in its finest and most heroic form. Ask yourself this question, “If my enemies accuse me of being a Christian so committed to God’s Word and will, that I would never compromise my faith for any reason or guaranteed advantage, will I be found innocent or guilty?”

SOMETHING TO LEAN ON –

The compilers of the Psalter now select a psalm for the Songs of Ascent that speak of being able to get through periods of persecution, trial, and testing. The pilgrim journey was never guaranteed to be free of narrow passages, rocky cliffs, long and desolate roads through dangerous territory. But rather than letting this discourage them and cause them to turn back, they persevered and dealt with each crisis as it came along, making them ripe for celebration when they finally crossed the finish line; finally arriving into the presence of the One True God where they would be safe and secure.

“Listen, were it not for the LORD Eternal being on our side; let all believers repeat these words: were it not for the LORD Eternal being on our side, when sinners persecuted us they would have done away with us because they were so angry with us. It would have been like a raging torrent engulfing us and sweeping us away in a flash flood; yes, we would have been caught in a flash flood. Therefore, let’s give the LORD Eternal credit for not throwing us to them like scraps of food. Instead, we were able to escape with our lives, much like a bird caught in a net is able to escape when the net breaks. There’s no doubt now that we owe our freedom to the LORD Eternal being who He is, the Creator of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:1-8

Reflection: In the 1943 movie titled, “The Human Comedy,” nominated for Oscars at the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Original Story, Mickey Rooney stars in the role of a teenage telegram delivery boy who brings notices from the War Department to families about their lost or injured servicemen, along with Van Johnson who plays a soldier. In one scene on a troop train, with Van Johnson playing a small accordion, the men are encouraged to sing a hymn written in 1887 by a Presbyterian minister named Elisha Hoffman. The second stanza goes like this: “Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms; Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.” Like the psalmist, those who receive word that their loved ones escaped the perils of war, thank God that He was there with His safe and everlasting arms. One day in heaven, when the books are opened to reveal all the secrets since creation, the millions gathered there will hear about miracle after miracle brought about by God’s intervention at the right place and the right time for every pilgrim along their journey to that heavenly Promised Land. So why not join those soldiers now and sing the third stanza of Hoffman’s hymn: “What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” Leaning on God’s arm is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is a strong indication of complete trust.

GOD’S GUIDING VOICE –

The compilers of the Psalter continue to expand their theme of where pilgrims were to look for strength to keep them going. In Psalm 121 they emphasized that looking up to the city on the hill, whose building and maker is God, was like looking toward where the presence of God dwelled, and this would give them the motivation to keep moving toward their goal. It was important that their attitude in seeking God’s assistance and encouragement was heartfelt and real. This would help them resist any temptation they encountered along the way to become resentful or discouraged because of all they had been through, and wondering if it had been worth it.

“To the One who sits enthroned in the heavens, I turn my eyes toward You. In exactly the same way a servant keeps his eye on his master, and as a maid watches for a signal from her mistresses, that’s how we focus our eyes on You, O LORD Eternal, our One True God, until we feel Your touch of blessed assurance. So we ask You, O LORD Eternal, be patient with us because we’ve had our fill of being mocked. Yes, we’ve grown tired of being made fun of by people who seem to have everything go their way, especially with those arrogant sinners who have little or no respect for true believers.” Psalm 123:1-4

Reflection: Brian Hubbard was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of four. His mother spent many painstaking hours teaching him to speak. What they didn’t notice at the time was Brian’s slow loss of vision was due to a degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, made worse by severe cataracts in both eyes, leaving him legally blind. Nevertheless, in spite of these maladies Brian became a licensed psychotherapist while also suffering from Ushers Syndrome. But he didn’t let anything stop him. He learned how to ski, and went on to win seven gold medals, three at the national level, and one bronze. He also won the downhill race at the U.S. Alpine Ski Championships in Duluth, Minnesota, and qualified for the national team that competed in the World Games in 1987 and the Special Olympics in 1988. He did all this wearing a hearing aid while paired with a sighted skier making the run just ahead of him, and shouting directions back to Brian on when to make a right and left turn. What a vivid picture of the Psalmist’s status. Just like Brian, he could not see his instructor, the LORD Eternal, and at times did not hear well either. But as he steered through life’s hills and valleys he learned to trust every command the LORD gave him. Though some people made fun of him and didn’t believe he’d make it, he put his total confidence in a God he could trust. What wonderful examples the Psalmist and Brian give us in learning to listen for God’s directions in order to navigate life’s downhill races. Though we might not see Him with our physical eyes or hear Him with our physical ears, we do see Him by faith and hear Him with our hearts. So ask yourself, are you willing to go left or right when He speaks? Or will you simply trust your own instincts in the dark, rather than His directions in the light?

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?