Look up: Does it really matter?

Intro:
Does what I do impact God's blessing toward me? If I fear the Lord will I see blessings in my life?

Yes.

Not the name it and claim it variety. Not the I will never get sick variety. As a general rule God will bless those who fear Him. God will bless those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

Read:
Psalm 128
A song of ascents.

1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.

2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.

4 Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.

5-6 May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, and may you live to see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel.

Think:
From the "blessings and cursings" of Deuteronomy the Israelites always knew that God was looking for those that would fear Him. He said that wealth and life were in His power. He said that a person cannot make money if the Lord is against him.

Here is Psalm 128 we have similar themes. Blessed is the man or woman that fears the Lord. They will:
1. Get a return for their labor and enjoy it! See verse two. There are many in Hollywood, the music industry and professional sports that have money but cannot enjoy it.
2. Have many children (verse 3)! This might not be seen as a blessing anymore. For a man in a work world this was like having employees. They would share the load and produce for the family. As my kids are entering the teens years that sounds like a blessing indeed!
3. Live a long life (verse 6).

Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.

Does what I do impact God's blessing toward me? If I fear the Lord will I see blessings in my life? Yes. Not the name it and claim it variety. Not the I will never get sick variety. As a general rule God will bless those who fear Him. God will bless those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

Do:
Do you fear the Lord? What would that look like?

If you fear the Lord you will choose His way over your own. You will obey Him. You will walk away from sin. You will worship Him with all your heart. You will love Him above all else. You will listen for His guidance. You will live for His glory.

If you fear the Lord you will experience His special presence and be used by Him mightily. You might also experience material blessing and enjoy it. You might have many employees (kids). You will live eternally.

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Look up: Keeping a right view on kids

Intro:
Have you ever seen a kid on a leash? I will never forget the first time I saw it. A lady was out walking her kid before dinner, I guess.

I will not judge the moms that feel the need to have their kid on a leash. Maybe there are good reasons for it ... I can't think of any.

It appears to me that a leash is easier than disciplining a child's heart. It is as if our kids have become a burden that must be managed. Or brats that need to be indulged.

We need to keep a right view on kids.

Read:
Psalm 127
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

(1) Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

(2) In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves.

(3) Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

(4) Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.

(5) Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Think:
The foundation of any home is the Lord (verse 1). A family without God can never experience the spiritual bond God brings to relationships. Leaving God out of a home and expecting it to prosper is short-sighted at best. My dad was raising us to be "moral, upstanding atheists" before he came to Christ. After our family submitted to Jesus we experienced a bond we had never known before.

Once the foundation is laid the first level of the home is the marriage relationship. It is so important to not place the kids before the marriage. We came before the kids. Remember the song: first comes love then comes marriage THEN comes a crying baby in a carriage! When you first return from work take 5 minutes of couch time each day. Don't let the kids interrupt that time.

Marriage takes work and communication. Kids are an innocent, natural wedge in this process. Marriage needs to be guarded. If you are single, you also need to guard time alone and time with the Lord to maintain balance.

The second level of the home is children. Too often children are seen as a burden or a nuisance and childhood as a time of life to "get through". It takes too much work and thoughtfulness to raise kids that obey their parents. So, we put them on leashes and in time out.

This is not God's view. Children are a heritage and reward from the Lord. They are our opportunity to see shape the future.

Children that are well trained will be like an arrow in the hand of a warrior. The arrow enables the archer to reach beyond himself. The arrow allows him to silence his enemies.

Children that are well trained will be like a voice in the city gates representing the family well. The city gates were the courts of the day. Key leaders would discuss issues at the gate. These children will be able to contend for their families.

Do:
How do you view children? Do you see them as a great opportunity from the Lord to proclaim His name in the future? Do you see them as a key part of your future security?

How well are you guarding your time with your spouse? Are you willing to carve out 5 minutes when you get home today?

Are you taking the child rearing job seriously? Are you willing to do the hard work of discipline and consistency?

Next time you see a parent with a leash on a kid think of how you can pray for them and maybe help them out.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Look up: Being Home

Intro:
I spent tonight on the phone with a dear friend that lost his wife last night at the age of 45. We cried. We shared about her awesome life. We recognized the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We cried. We prayed.

One thing we recognized was how set she is! She is with the Lord in glory. She sees Him! In the final moments of her passing my friend discerned a faint smile on her face. The moment she saw Jesus. She is home.

We, on the other hand, are still here and wondering. The hurt is anchored in harbor. The questions have landed on the tarmac.

Those of us that remain have choices to make. We will sow in tears and pray God that we might reap in joy! We know we will see our loved ones again ... when we get Home.

Read:
Psalm 126
A song of ascents.

1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Think:
Home is a place where the soul safely hides. Home is a light and ever full feeling*. Home is where all long to be.

For hundreds of years Israel was away from home in captivity. They lost their land, many family members, their worship center, their jobs. They got idols, immorality, strangers and slavery. For years they longed for home. For years they dreamed of the freedom and joy of being home.

This is the Psalm of the soldier that arrives home to loved ones ... but also the soldier that arrives Home to Jesus.

This is the Psalm of the prodigal running back to his family.

This is the Psalm of the man rescued from drug addiction and shame.

This is the Psalm of the sinner rescued by a loving God, cleaned up and given the best seat in the home.

This is the Psalm of Darryl, a man that lost his wife at the age of 45 and longs to see her again. This is his hope that his sorrow and trust is not in vain. This is his hope that he will be home soon himself where he will be reunited to his loved ones and see Jesus face to face.

This is the Psalm of me and you. Pilgrims, wanderers, prodigals, all ... longing to be at home with the Lord.

Do:
Are you going to make it home when you die? Have you met the Father of the house? He longs to know you. He longs to prepare a place for you to live forever. He sent His own Son to make sure we knew how to get Home. He made a way. Call out to Him and ask Him to show you how to know His Son and how to get home.

Please take an opportunity to pray for Darryl and those of us that live in the "Shadowlands" and long for home. Pray for his 2 kids as well. They are both in high school and have a lot to process.

Praise God that He has taken care of your need for a Home and that He is, even now, preparing a place for you so "you can be where He is". He longs to be with you.

Listen to Home by Daughtry in the DevoLink Worship Center.

*listen to the music of Michael Card for great insights to being "home".

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Look Up: Who's Side is the Lord on?

Intro:
So, does God have a struggle when Tim Tebow plays against Eric Berry in a football game? Both men pray for God's help and support. Both men name the name of Christ in their lives. So, who's side is God on?

Maybe the better question: who's side are we on?

This picture comes from the TN vs. FL game September 19th. Much was made of the meeting between these two players. This was the first time the SEC Offensive Player of the Year met the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in the smash heard round the SEC.

Read:
Psalm 125
A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.

4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.

5 But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.

Think:
Clearly the followers of the Lord have a choice in life. They choose to follow the Lord or follow their appetites. According to the Psalmist there are at least 2 things they choose:
1. To trust (verse 1). We are reminded of Proverbs 3 when we read these words. We are to trust the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. In all our ways we are to acknowledge Him and He will direct our own ways. We are not to be wise in our own eyes but to fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

When we trust the Lord we tell Him that we will do it His way and in His timing. We will transfer control. The Psalmist says this is the person that is as solid as a rock. This is the person that holds on in evil times and waits on God to act against those that promote wickedness (verse 3).

2. To do good (verses 4 & 5). What would this mean to those that heard it years ago? To do God would mean to love God and to love others. To love justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with their God.

To do good would also include obeying the Lord's commands. Verse 5 served as a warning that even the followers of the Lord could be tempted to turn to crooked ways and be banished with the evil doers. This was not the end goal for the follower of the Lord but remained a possibility. The follower of the Lord was to experience the Lord forevermore (verses 1 & 2) but if he turned to crooked ways would be banished (verse 5).

Do:
Who's side is the Lord on? He is on His own side. Are we on His side? That is the question we need to consider. In the end of it all God is not so concerned if Tebow or Berry win a football game but He is concerned that these men play hard, play fair and trust Him with their lives.

Are you trusting in the Lord today? Do you believe that you are where you are by His design and your choices? Some of the stuckness might be due to bad choices you have made. Some of the good things might also be due to this. Fortunately God is not stuck and will bless us in spite of ourselves but I'd rather trust Him and give Him the best opportunity to bless me.

Search your heart and see if there is anywhere you need to "turn away from evil" in your life. The crooked paths look nice but end in the ditch. Search your heart before the Lord and ask Him to help you trust Him and do good.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Look up: Spared by the Lord

Intro:
On vacation in high school I got the thrill of playing in a flash flood. If you know anything about flash floods then you are thinking I am relatively stupid.

A flash flood is a very dangerous water event ... I know that now! As a teen, it looked really fun. I never understood why my dad was so sacred and even angry with me until the next morning.

I got woken up early by my dad. He wanted to show me something. What I saw introduced me to fear. The flash flood was long over. The path the water took looked like a war field. Buried in nearly 5 feet of mud and barely cresting the surface were 2 silver tubes. The flood I was playing in had pushed an 18 wheeler off the road and buried it. The silver tubes were the exhaust pipes!

Glad to be alive today!

Read:
Psalm 124
A song of ascents. Of David.
1. If the LORD had not been on our side—
let Israel say-
2. if the LORD had not been on our side
when men attacked us,

3. when their anger flared against us,
they would have swallowed us alive;

4. the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,

5. the raging waters
would have swept us away.

6. Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7. We have escaped like a bird
out of the fowler's snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.

8. Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Think:
If you are alive to read this then you have known more protection in your life then you might realize. If the Lord had not been on our side, let us say it, if the Lord had not been on our side we would have been swept away by now.

The Psalmist likens the hatred and opposition of his enemies like a flash flood. Listen to the words:
1. Swallowed alive (verse 3)
2. Engulfed by a flood (verse 4)
3. Swept by a torrent (verse 4)
4. Swept away by raging waters (verse 5)

Have you ever been through the ire and hatred of someone? Feels like being swept away by raging waters.

Yet, the Psalmist recognized that he was still alive and that by the hand of God. If the Lord had not been on our side, let us say it, if the Lord had not been on our side we would have been swept away by now.

Do you have any idea of what you have been saved from and are saved from on a daily basis? Accidents. Cancer. War. Attack. Strife. The fiery darts of the devil. This list is endless. The fact that you are alive means that God is with you and has work for you to still do. If and when you do face these things God will strengthen you to meet the challenge and take you safely home in the end.

Do:
If the Lord had not been on our side, let us say it, if the Lord had not been on our side we would have been swept away by now. Can you look back and see that you have been spared? It is so easy to complain that we are being attacked or that people don't like us or that people are angry with us.

But, if they did these things to Jesus why do we think we are immune for struggle?

We do not serve ourselves well to complain about the difficulties in our lives and fail to see all that we have been spared of by the Lord. Can we turn compaining into praise today?

If the Lord had not been on our side, let us say it, if the Lord had not been on our side we would have been swept away by now.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Look Up: Review

Intro:
As we close this week, let's review what we learned so far:
1. The call to look up and be ever moving toward God
2. The importance of being the last one standing
3. The need to use the backstage pass to access God
4. The great mercy of God

Read:
Reread some of the passages linked above.

Think:
Take time to pray about your committment to Christ. Are you sold out? Are you standing strong? Pray to the Lord. Talk out loud if you are comfortable.

Do:
Look at the "Do" section for things God might want you to do this week.

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Look up: Lord have Mercy

Intro:
Study this picture. You are looking at mercy. The One you just nailed to a cross breaks your guilt fall. The hands you crushed reach out to hold you.

Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Savior.

Read:
Psalm 123
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.

2 We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.

3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy, for we have had our fill of contempt.

4 We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud and the contempt of the arrogant.

Ephesians 2:3-5
3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)


Think:
People of God seek to keep their eyes on God (v.1). They know where their help comes from. It is so easy to look to our spouses, our counselors, our pastors or to our friends to find help. Unfortunately, the help we need is greater than anything these important people can provide.

The need of these travelers to Jerusalem is our greatest need as well. They needed MERCY.

If someone shows you mercy then they don't give you what you deserve. If you get pulled over for doing 85 in a 60 zone and the cop let's you go then you have experienced mercy. You are guilty but you do not get what you deserve.

We are guilty before a holy God. We all sin. We all fall short of His glory. These poor travelers were abused verbally as they walked to Jerusalem. They were tired of the ridicule. My kids feel like that at school some days. Kids can be so cruel and treat each other with contempt (v.3). Adults can too.

You can almost hear them saying. "We've traveled many miles to meet with you, Lord. We have been ridiculed and mocked for following you. Now Lord, when you show up please come in mercy and not judgment. We deserve judgment but we are asking for mercy. We do not want what we deserve."

We deserve judgment. We have enough sin piled up as individuals and as a Church that God could take us out right now and not be at fault. This is true, but ...

We get mercy. Even though we were dead to God, in Christ we experience the mercy of God. We do not deserve this ... God does it because of His great love for us. We don't have to wonder if He will show mercy to us, He already has by having Jesus die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin.

We know more of God and have more assurance than those travelers ever did. Their need for mercy led them to "keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal". Now that we have received mercy will we give God less than this?

Do:
Have you experienced the mercy of God? Have you been forgiven of your sins? You can know for certain what people in the Old Testament could only hope to have. Confess your sin and need to God. Cry out to Him for forgiveness. Believe in your heart that God made Jesus pay your penalty and you will be saved.

Christian, should our assurance and guaranteed mercy in Christ lead us to a place of laziness in our pursuit of the Lord? Shouldn't it lead to greater faithfulness? Gratitude should drive our obedience, never guilt. It is rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Look Up: Backstage Passes

Intro:
Have you ever made it backstage for a concert? Ever made it to the sidelines in a pro football game?

Can you imagine what it would feel like to be in the midst of the action around people you esteemed? I think it would be cool!

The closest I got was at the Tennessee football team practice 2 months ago. It was a rush to be near the coaches and the players. To be where it was happening. Not just to listen to sports talk radio and try to picture it but to actually be there & know what's going on! I'm a geek ... I accept it.

Read:
Psalm 122
A song of ascents. Of David.

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."

2 Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.

4 That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.

5 There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure.

7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."

8 For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you."

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Think:
Can you see the pilgrims of Psalm 122 talking about their field level view? As you read this passage they have completed the long journey to Jerusalem to praise the Lord in His temple. They are on the field.

This Psalm reads like that. It is as if they are describing the joy of being AT the place where it all happens and important things happen. Can you pick it up in the words of verse 2? They are stoked to be standing in the gates! They'd made it!

Unfortunately, though, they do not have a backstage pass.

The temple was broken into courts and holy places. There were the outer courts that the "Gentiles" could get into. Didn't require a "field level pass". Then there were the inner courts that only the Jews could enter. But at the heart of the temple was the Most Holy Place. This was where God manifested Himself to the people. This was where God dwelt on earth ... when He showed up that is.

There was only 1 backstage pass to this and only 1 person that could get into this place and that only 1 time a year. This was not like getting one of Willy Wonka's golden passes. This was a scary responsibility to have! To come before God unclean would mean instant death. In fact, they tied a rope around the priest's ankle and put a bell around his waist so if he died the bell would go off and they could drag him out. So much for that backstage pass!

But the prospect of meeting with God and the need for His forgiveness demanded someone take the risk!

Today it is much different. All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have a backstage pass. In fact, we don't have to go to an event, we don't need a field level pass ... we are the field, we are the temple we are the event! God dwells IN us. Think for a second. Think. Pray. This is deep stuff. You are where God dwells.

Not just 1 backstage pass, not just for 1 time a year but every believer ... all the time.

What is supposed to happen in a temple that God occupies? PRAISE! Look at Psalm 122:4 and 1 Cor. 6:20 above. This is not really about us but Him. He is the Lord. He is God. He is who we praise. We do not settle for modern worship if it only sings about me and my walk with God but subtly is more about me than Him. We must not tolerate that. We are to praise Him.

1 Cor. 6:20 is a command. We are commanded to glorify God with our lives, our choices and our bodies. After all He owns our bodies, He dwells in them and He has given us a backstage pass to meet Him face to face and praise His glorious name! Praise the Lord.

Do:
Will you take the backstage pass and meet with the Lord? Are you taking time to pray and seek His face? Are you crying out to Him for help?

If we were to listen to you talk for more than an hour would we know that you'd been near God? Would your language speak of His glory and goodness or would you sound just like someone that did not have a backstage pass?

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Look up: Last One Standing

Intro:
Mercy Me wrote a song called "Last One Standing". I want to tell you the story behind the song.

When a pitcher is called out to the mound in MLB he is allowed to choose a song to let everyone know he was coming to close the deal. Todd Jones, closing pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, was searching for a song. He wanted to honor Christ but also make a statement.

Todd happened to be friends with the lead singer of the Christian band, Mercy Me, and wanted to use one of their songs. Clearly, "I Can Only Imagine" wasn't going to cut it.

Many of the pitchers choose songs like, "Hells Bells" by AC/DC but Todd was determined to honor Christ with his song selection. He asked the guys of Mercy Me to write a song for him that would honor Christ but also make a statement. "Last One Standing" was written for him to play as he left the bull pen to the mound.

Play the song in the DevoLink Worship Center below. As you do, picture 40,000 people and the opposing team hearing the words as Todd walks to the mound. Great story.

The believers on their way to Jerusalem where under pressure ... challenged to quit. People wanted them to fail. Would they finish what they started? Would they be the last ones standing?

Read:
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Think:
Five times we are told that God watches over His people. The believers looked for help from God and found that God was looking right back at them. I've done that before. Looking out the window at Panera Bread for a friend but actually looking past him. I am looking to the parking lot, he was looking right at me. It can be startling.

God is aware of you right now, right where you are. As you look out the window of your life you will find that He is looking out for you and looking at you. You will find that He is ready to help you stay standing. He is the "God who sees" you as Hagar found out (Gen. 16:13).

Does it comfort you to know God is looking at you? I imagine for some that that would be uncomfortable. That might be due to sin in our lives or a wrong concept of God.

Take a look at the God of Psalm 121. He:
1. Helps (v.1-2)
2. Never sleeps (v.3-4)
3. Protects (v.5-6)
4. Cares (v.7)
5. Guides (v.8)

How cool to know that God is at His post when we are sleeping. God is awake when we go through pain. God is awake when we laugh and enjoy the company of friends. God is awake when we sin. God is awake when we take a stand.

Where will your help come from when the pressure is on? Where will you find the strength to be the last one standing when all others want you to give in and quit? I know a God that cares and protects and guides. He will both strengthen and support you to stand.

Do:
Do you have the resolve of Todd Jones? Are you determined to be the last one standing?

If you are going to stand for Christ today you will experience pressure to quit. Where will your help come from? Will you look to the One that is watching over you?

Call out to Him now and ask Him to help you take a stand for Christ today. As you come out of the bull pen of your home and onto the mound of life you will find that people are looking at you. There is a team that wants you to take that stand and win. But there are many others that want you to fall and lose. It is easier for them if you do not take a stand. There remains One that watches over you and will protect you. He is the One that will enable you to be the last one standing.

As you get ready to leave the bull pen this day, crank up Last One Standing in the DevoLink Worship Center.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Look up: Psalm 120

Intro:
Ask any pilgrim and they will tell you the beginning of the journey can be very difficult. Christian in Pilgrim's Progress. Neo in the Matrix. Chicken Little in ... well, Chicken Little. All felt a calling to step out of the norm and walk forward. All felt the pain of misunderstanding.

If you want to live for something radically you will walk into trouble. People will not understand. Some will seek your undoing. Might be difficult. Might need a strategy.

We need to look up to God when starting on a journey of living radical for Jesus Christ.

Read:
Psalm 120

1 I call on the LORD in my distress,
and he answers me.

2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips
and from deceitful tongues.

3 What will he do to you,
and what more besides, O deceitful tongue?

4 He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom tree.

5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!

6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.

7 I am a man of peace;
but when I speak, they are for war.

Think:
Psalms 120-135 are "Psalms of Ascent" ... the songs of looking up! The people of Israel would travel to Jerusalem to worship the Lord singing as they went. Some are cries for help. Others are reminders to trust the Lord. Some are praise for God's good actions for the people.

These were traveling songs. Road trip rhymes. The fact they were in the town of Meshech (v.5) meant they were far from home. The longing for home was made worse by the lying and warful spirits of their neighbors that mocked them for following a God that called them to Jerusalem each year. "Stay here. Worship our gods. Don't waste your life by following old standards. Give it up."

You might find these Psalms a help for pilgrims trying to progress in a foreign land. These Psalms are good for those seeking to live outside the Matrix. These Psalms are good for the mocked Chickens that try to tell others the sky might be falling.

As these worshippers traveled to Jerusalem they called out to God for rescue. They did not try to take things in their own hands.

Do:
It is not easy to be a Christian in America today. If you take a stand for Christ in our culture you might find it a difficult journey. You might find lying tongues and warring hands waiting. Sometimes it is easier to go with the flow. Let's not do that!

Do you have any woe or concerns about standing up for Christ (v.5)?

We are encouraged to keep walking toward the Lord. We are encouraged to cry out to Him. He welcomes the cries of His kids. We are encouraged to ask for intervention. We are not walking alone.

Write a Psalm (song) to God sharing your concerns and express your trust in Him. He will strengthen you to stand. He will see you safely home.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.