#DailyDevotion Call Upon The LORD & He Will Answer You
Psalm 120 In my trouble I call on the LORD and He answers me. 2O LORD, save me from lips that lie and from tongues that deceive. 3What will He give you, O deceiving tongue; what more will He do to you? 4A warrior’s sharpened arrows and glowing coals of the broom shrub. 5Woe to me – I live as a stranger in Meshech and dwell near Kedar’s tents. 6I have lived too long with those who hate peace. 7I talk of peace but they talk only of war.
Psalm 120 begins the Psalm of Ascent. They were collected together at some point in time as the Psalms sung by the pilgrims to Jerusalem, during the three mandated festivals to be held at Jerusalem as they were going up the hill. Some postulate the priest may have also sung them as they ascended the steps of the Temple. There are fifteen of them each with a different theme.
I can see how this might be the first one as pilgrims are coming from all the territory of Israel and may meet trouble along the way. Depending on when it was composed or set as the first one, it may even have its origins in coming from all parts of the different empires the Israelites were scattered by the LORD and the dangers they may have to face in returning to Jerusalem for their festivals.
What peace we would garner and what anxiety we might lose if we followed the example of verse one. When we first notice trouble, we should call on the LORD for we have the promise He will answer us. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount encourages us to pray by reminding us the Father knows what we need before we ask. In John 14 He says, “14If you ask Me for anything in My name, I’ll do it.” Paul encourages us to pray in Phil. 4, “6Don’t worry about anything, but in everything go to God, and pray to let Him know what you want, and give thanks. 7Then God’s peace, better than all our thinking, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
The lips that lie and the tongues that deceive must be those of their enemies causing them trouble as they travel. He seeks the LORD’s protection from them. As such actions of lips and tongues are like sharp arrows and burning fires in those who are lied about, he warns those who do this what they will receive in themselves for doing so from the God of truth.
We get hints of the distances traversed to return to Jerusalem. Mesech is up by the Black and Caspian seas. How far would you travel to go to Church? I have members that traverse the whole of the county, weekly, and gladly so. Those who live even further away from a faithful congregation may not be able to travel far very often, but even the Jews made it three times a year crossing multiple countries and thousands of miles.
It is tough at times living among people who do not know the LORD. They are not men of peace. They hate peace. They look how they may stir things up and gain an advantage in the midst of war. We worship a God of peace. We should want to live at peace with those around us. Paul reminds in Romans 14, ” 17God’s kingdom is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit…19So we eagerly go after the things which mean peace and by which we help one another grow.” May we not only talk of peace but live lives of peace and make peace where there is none. Let us not be those who stir up strife and division when it is unnecessary. For our God and LORD, Jesus Christ, is the King of Peace.
Almighty God and Father, defend us from all who would cause us harm. Save us from whatever would bring us strife. Put Your word of peace on our lips so we may bring Your peace, the peace of Jesus Christ into the lives of those around us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.