Bible Pathway - July 16
Read Psalms 120–131
Highlights:
Just as we pray in our hearts for help for our needs, protection from our enemies, or give joyful praise to God, these people sang these psalms as they journeyed to Jerusalem to the sacred feasts. Don’t miss reading some special verses which stand out (121:1; 122:1,6; 125:2; 126:6; 131:3).
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth (Ps. 121:1-2).
Many times in life we as believers may be surrounded by troubles on every side. The enemy may come against us from all directions, and it may seem as if we are about to be overtaken by all the things that are going wrong. But it only seems this way.
The psalmist gives us his secret to survival. He gives us his key to getting through these difficult days. He shares with us the reason we never need experience total defeat.
The thing that we have to do to gain help is not difficult. We simply need to cast our eyes toward heaven. We need to look to our Savior, Jesus Christ, who completed our victory at the cross of Calvary. Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:25).
The words that open this Psalm should be an encouragement to all believers in Christ. At times, the battle may rage hard. There may even come a time that it seems like we are on the verge of defeat. However, defeat will not come our way as long as our trust and dependence is placed in Jesus. We may still be in the battle, but the war is already won. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Rom. 8:37).
We have a promise of where our help will come from. We need not place our trust in man-made devices. We don't have to trust in our own strength. The battle is not ours. It belongs to the Lord. David spoke boldly to the giant Goliath just before his defeat; the battle is the LORD's and He will give you into our hands (1 Sam. 17:47).
God is our defender. He is our protector. Many times in the Book of Psalms, God is referred to with words like refuge, mighty tower or our rock. All these are places of defense. That is what the Lord is to us. We need only call on Him with believing faith and He will answer.
The psalmist sums up these verses with a word of reassurance. To remove any doubt in our hearts, he gives one final testimony to the power of God. He states that God made the heaven and the earth. What then can defeat the child of God? Our Father is the Creator of all things. Our Lord and Savior defeated the devil for all time. We are victorious because God is victorious.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).
Thought for Today:
When faced with an important decision, is your first impulse to seek the Lord?
Christ Revealed:
As our Protector – the One who shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in (Ps. 121:8). By Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture (John 10:9). And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly Kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (2 Tim. 4:18).
Word Studies:
130:3 mark, record; 130:4 feared, reverenced with awe; 131:1 exercise, concern; too high for me, far beyond me.
Prayer Suggestion: Declare the wondrous works of God with thanksgiving (Ps. 26:6-7).
Optional Reading: 2 Timothy 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:8
