Sermon Summary
Main Point: Faithful pilgrims find hope and confidence to persevere by looking in the right direction: in faith, in thanksgiving, and in confidence.
Summary: This sermon continues the exploration of the Psalms of Ascents, focusing on Psalms 123-125. These psalms, traditionally sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem, provide guidance for the believer’s spiritual journey. Psalm 123 encourages believers to look up to the Lord for mercy amidst scorn and contempt. Psalm 124 reminds them to look back in gratitude for God's deliverance in times of great peril. Psalm 125 calls them to look forward with confidence, trusting in the Lord’s protection and justice. The overarching theme emphasizes that by fixing our eyes on God in faith, thanksgiving, and confidence, we can endure the trials of life and find peace in His presence.
Sermon Outline:
In Faith, Look Up – Psalm 123
With expectation, keep looking up (vv. 1-2).
In distress, look to the Lord for mercy (vv. 3-4).
With Thanksgiving, Look Back – Psalm 124
Remember the Lord’s past deliverance (vv. 1-5).
Praise the Lord for present help (vv. 6-8).
With Confidence, Keep Trusting – Psalm 125
Trust in the Lord’s protection and security (vv. 1-2).
Believe in the Lord’s justice and retribution (vv. 3-5).
Sermon Text: Psalm 123-125
Psalm 123
A Song of Ascents.
To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he has mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
4 Our soul has had more than enough
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.
Psalm 124
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 125
A Song of Ascents.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!
Discussion Questions:
How does Romans 8:31-39 help us further understand how God is for us?
How have you seen God in His Word and your life demonstrate His rescue and deliverance?
How would a person know whether or not they are fully trusting God?
What does God's justice do to your heart?
How should a faithful person respond in a difficult journey? How does the psalm teach it in practical life?
What does it look like to keep our eyes on God until He tells us to do something?
How does Psalm 121 help us further understand these Psalms?
How does Isaiah 8 help us further understand the raging waters in 124?
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