“Psalms of Ascent Series”, Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 149, Psalm 123v1
You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).
They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)
Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.
Lifting our eyes to God indicates that we are taking the posture of a servant (more on that in the verses to come).
In that position we are recognising God for who He is – and we are ready to receive from Him what we need.
Jesus was a servant, but “God did not become a servant so that we could order him around but so that we could join him in a redemptive life.” Peterson, Obedience, 62.
The first Psalm of ascent looked higher than the hills, and now this pilgrim seems to have got used to looking beyond his circumstances to God in the heavens.
We are growing when this becomes our habit – seeking the God who’s faithful love and wisdom are beyond ours, Ps 36.5, Is 55.9. The Lord’s prayer starts the same way.
We must never become over-familiar with our thinking of God that we forget to respect His ‘otherness’. He is different – Ps 115.3.
However, this Psalm goes on to remind the singer that God is the provider of all our needs – He promised! Lk 11:9.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John
