Ascend, Week 3, January 19, 2025. Psalm 120. In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, or what shall be done to you, you false tongue? Sharp arrows of the warrior, with coals of the broom tree! Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. Psalm 121. I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, or the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. “The trip to Jerusalem acted out a life lived upward toward God, an existence that advanced from one level to another in deepening maturity…” - Eugene Peterson Psalm 120:4 You will be pierced with sharp arrows and burned with glowing coals. You can’t ascend while remaining in that which is not of God. Psalm 84:10. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Living with eternity in mind. For our citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 3:20 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13:14 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived. Evil company corrupts good character. Colossians 3:16 Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Paul, Acts 20:27-31 I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know. Take heed. Guard yourself and God’s people. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Ezer help. A powerful, decisive action on behalf of someone in dire need, with no capabilities or resources; no strength or protection. Without this help, you won’t make it. Psalm 121 is a song of trust in the promise of the Promiser that the troubles of this world will not have power OVER you; will not destroy you. None of the things that happens, none of the trouble you encounter, have any power to get between you and God, dilute His grace in you, divert His will from you. - Eugene Peterson