the journey (step seven)

There are some passages of scripture that we’ve travelled with longer and that have impacted our lives more than others (What scriptures are especially precious to you?). Psalm 126 is one of those passages in my life.

I recall reading it in my early 20s and being stuck by its poetic words. I asked a friend to preach at the small church I was part of back then and he chose this psalm as his focus. It was lovely to hear a reflection on its content. What was it about Psalm 126 that made such an impression upon me? 

In a word, JOY.

I guess many of us have faced two objections to the Christian faith in conversations with friends outside the church. We are either hypocrites or we are dour!  I believe that Psalm 126 emphasises that a believer has shed tears that the world at large knows nothing about (verses 4-6) but has experienced joy it has no real knowledge of (verses 1-3). 

Joy is a hallmark of Christian discipleship. 

C.S. Lewis wrote in his book, “Letters to Malcolm,” that “joy is the serious business of heaven.” Lewis’s understanding of Christian joy tells me that it is not a fleeting or superficial emotion but a deep and profound characteristic of life in the kingdom of God. Joy is not about temporary happiness, which often depends on external circumstances, but something lasting that flows out of a relationship with God. 

On the May Bank Holiday Monday this year (26th) I spent a chunk of the day walking in the Glencoe region. I also enjoyed stopping off at one of my favourite coffee shops, “Craft and Things,” at Ballachulish. 

I must have sat there for well over an hour with Psalm 126 open before me and notebook by my side. The following is what I noted down…

The psalmist finds joy when he looks in two directions…

⬅️ In verses 1-3 he looks back to what the Lord has done.

The background to this psalm is likely to be the Lord’s judgement in consigning his people to exile in Babylon because of their wilful disobedience. And then in an act of infinite grace and mercy he moves the heart of a pagan king to open up the way to return to the land of promise. The verses express the thoughts and feelings of those who returned to Jerusalem. 

“We were like those who dreamed.” I can imagine God’s people saying, “Is this really happening…This far exceeds our greatest expectations.”

Nations looked on and acknowledged the goodness of God (verse 2).

God’s people looked up and expressed their unbridled joy at all that he had done for them. “…we are filled with joy” (verse 3).

It is helpful for us today to build into our quiet times moments when we reflect on the Lord’s gift of grace and his wise leading in our lives. He has also given us the Lord’s Supper whereby we are regularly reminded of the depth of his love for us - “vast as the ocean.” These sacred occasions have the potential to reawaken joy and fill our cup to overflowing (Psalm 23:5).

➡️ In verses 4-6 he looks forward to what the Lord will do.

There is a tremendous shift in the experience of God’s people in the present moment. Clear evidence of the Lord moving has been replaced by a dry and barren season. 

Tears have replaced joy.

However, hope is stirring in the hearts of the redeemed. The Lord can and will restore their fortunes. “Songs of joy” will once again resound in the hearts of his people (verses 5 & 6). What is required is that they submit to the Lord with humble and contrite hearts.

As we pause on our journey today we can look back to all the way the Lord has led us. And we can look forward knowing that he is with us and will guide our steps. That knowledge is the source of “solid joy” to quote John Newton’s famous hymn (‘Glorious things of thee are spoken’).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit  you may abound in hope."

(Romans 15:13)

'the journey' playlist...

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1r5rMcrNlmUMQqHyIBfCmg?si=YtwsF-OuT9-160jOeH26gQ&pi=iHT32HMRSleMD

the journey (step six)

I arrived reasonably early at the large car park south of Crianlarich with the aim of climbing ‘An Caisteal’ (the Castle). The cloud cover was down but it was a relatively calm morning. On reaching the first main plateau at around 700m I was fully enveloped in cloud. And by the time I walked onto the summit the wind had picked up quite considerably. Sheltering behind a large cairn, I enjoyed a quick snack. However, by the time I was ready to leave the wind was so ferocious that it was almost impossible to stand. The only course of action was to get down on my hands and knees, get my body into the lowest possible position, and crawl off the summit! 

It’s not easy to stand when you are buffeted by the elements. 

It’s not easy to stand when you are assailed by doubts and fears and all manner of other challenges that life throws at us.

When reflecting on these moments in life, I’m reminded of a question that pops up in the Old Testament, asked by a pagan king, in taunting fashion, to God’s people, 

“On what are you basing your confidence?” (2 Chronicles 32:10).

Regardless of how it is asked, it remains a great question. When it comes to life and faith, on what are you basing your confidence? 

Are you...

➣ Lacking in confidence?

➣ Self confident?

➣ Over-confident?

➣ God confident? 

How would you fair in “a vote of confidence”?!!

Step six on “the journey” (Psalm 125) reveals where the psalmist’s confidence lies and the reason for such trust. It enables us to see how he can stand firm in his faith.

Verse 1 presents us with a picture of the person who trusts in the Lord.

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”

As we reflect on this sentence we must pay heed to the strong warning in Scripture against misplaced confidence in the Christian life. The apostle Paul exhorts, “let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

In another place, Paul informs us about the true nature of Christian confidence. “…be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then…”

(Ephesians 6:10-14). The message is clear. 

We can stand because the Lord is able to make us stand.

Coming back to our Psalm for this week, Eugene Peterson writes, “The emphasis of Psalm 125 is not on the precariousness of the Christian life but on its solidity.” The eternal security of the believer is assured and is experienced through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The metaphor changes in verse two. The Lord is now pictured as a mountain range around the city of Jerusalem. "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore." The image speaks of his protection through life and on into eternity..."both now and forevermore."

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4 act as a wonderful New Testament counterpart to this psalm:

“We are afflicted in every way but not crushed;

we are perplexed but not in despair;

we are persecuted but not abandoned;

we are struck down but not destroyed.”

(verses 7-10)

I am currently reading Bear Grylls' autobiography. In it he tells of a free-fall parachute accident that resulted in him breaking his back in three places. He reflects on the days of recovery as ones in which his faith in Christ sustained him. "At that time, in and out of hospital, it reminded me that, despite the pain and despair, I was held and loved and blessed - my life was secure through Jesus Christ."

Bear Grylls was able "to stand" through suffering and adversity because, as Psalm 125 reminds us, our faith in the Lord fortifies us and his presence encircles us. 

(picture - the grounds of Culzean Castle)

the journey (step five)

We touch on one of the most fundamental aspects of human experience in Psalm 124 (step five on “the journey”). All of us have lived through overwhelming circumstances. In moments such as these a primal cry rises up within us. David feels our pain and utters that one word cry… 

Help!

The psalm paints a vivid picture of truths already expressed in Psalm 121. The circumstances in today’s psalm appear hopeless. However, God’s people experience his help. Both psalms appeal to our help being in the Lord, “the maker of heaven and earth” (verse 8). If the Lord has such power, then he is more than able to respond to the cries of his people.

Over the course of the last week I have asked myself the question, “How does the Lord help his people?” I have settled on four answers (there will be more). 

He does so through…

➡️ His presence

The greatest gift that the risen and ascended Lord Jesus gave to his church was the gift of the Holy Spirit. His words in the John’s gospel have brought tremendous reassurance to Christians over the centuries; “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth…” (John 14:16-17)

The Lord is “an ever-present help” (Psalm 46:1)…

who said…

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

➡️ Our prayers

The author of this psalm, David, recorded the following testimony earlier in the psalter, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles” (Psalm 34:6). The Lord has given us the gracious provision of prayer as a divine means of support in life.  

➡️ His people

When our children were young they loved “The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends.” My favourite story is “The Tailor of Gloucester” but I find “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” very endearing! You may remember that Peter finds himself being chased through Mr McGregor’s garden only to run into the gooseberry net and become entangled by the large buttons on his jacket. “Peter gave himself up for lost, and shed big tears, but his sobs were overheard by some friendly sparrows, who…implored him to exert himself.” As Mr McGregor was about to capture him, he wriggled out just in time to escape. It reminds me of Psalm 124; “We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare…” (verse 7).

Just as the sparrows in the children’s tale helped Peter, so the Lord will often use his people to help and support us. This challenges me to live in such a way that I can be a help and blessing to others.

➡️ His providence 

One of the most poignant hymns in the church’s collection was penned by William Cowper - “God moves in a mysterious way…”

The third verse contains the words:

“Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

but trust him for his grace;

behind a frowning providence 

he hides a smiling face.”

This is “a hymn for stormy weather,” as someone has said. We face moments when the God who has declared himself good will not seem so good. Life may seem bad, sometimes, very bad. Cowper encourages us to find beyond the events of life the God who is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works (Psalm 145:17). His song goes on to say, “the bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.”

These four truths taken together reveal why the author of Hebrews is able to say, “So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper…'” (Hebrews 13:6)

The church has sung for centuries:

O God our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come…

The Scriptures have declared for millennia: 

“Thus far has the Lord helped 

            us…” 

        (1 Samuel 7:12 ).

(picture - path on Ben Lawers)

the journey (step four)

The incredible mural in the picture above can be found on the gable end of 1198 Govan Road (a stone’s throw from the Preshal Trust centre where I work). It celebrates the life of the early 20th century political activist, Mary Barbour, who hailed from the neighbourhood. The mural, however, is intended to imagine a modern day Mary Barbour, looking to a brighter future. For me it is the look in the young woman’s eyes that is so captivating. I love how the artist leaves much to our imagination…

What is she looking and longing for? 

What does she see?

The next step on our pilgrimage through the “songs of ascents” leaves us in no doubt where the psalmist’s gaze is fixed. It begins, “I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven” (Psalm 123:1).

The psalm we reflected on last week pictures God’s people gathering in one centre (Jerusalem) for worship. But in Psalm 123 we note that our living God is not restricted to a geographical location. The psalm echoes what the prophet Isaiah says of God, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool” (66:1).

What insights does the psalmist offer this week about our walk through this world?

He exhibits, first of all, wholehearted faith…

 “I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven” (Psalm 123:1).

It strikes me that we can look at something in one of two ways - glimpse or gaze. To glimpse something is a fleeting experience. To gaze on an object is much more prolonged. 

The psalmist gaze is fixed on God.

I chanced upon a wee life hack some years ago that illustrates what this means. I found that if I was carrying a full cup of coffee upstairs I would invariably spill some of it. However, I discovered that if I focused on a door handle at the top of the stairs I would then be able to walk straight up without spilling a drop. My eyes remained fixed on that object. Wholehearted faith looks to God in a similar way. It rests on his character, feeds on his promises and grows through walking with him.

Secondly, he demonstrates humble expectation…

“As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid looks to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us mercy” (123:2).

Psalm 121 teaches us that God is our protector. This psalm underlines that God is our provider. Paul’s words in Philippians 4 echoes the sentiments of this psalm. “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (verse 19).

And lastly, the psalmist reveals a sense of patient waiting…

“…till he shows us mercy” (123:2).

Waiting is difficult whether it be in life generally or faith particularly. But the justly famous words from Isaiah are a strong reminder that a season of waiting actually fortifies our faith: 

“Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.”

(Isaiah 40:30-31)

What the young woman sees in the Govan mural is left our imagination. However, the Bible leaves us in no doubt that the object of the Christian's faith rests absolutely and exclusively on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.