Going home, a song of comfort and hope for every believer’s journey
By Dean Collins
How many times have you planned a trip? Not a weekend excursion but maybe a destination or road trip? There are many little and big details to figure out: route, meals, road snacks, audiobooks or other entertainment, activities for the kids if it is a family trip, and on and on.
Psalm 120 is the first of 15 psalms many scholars believe were sung when the Israelites made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Jerusalem sits on a hill, so the journey was an ascent. Some scholars suggest that these same psalms were sung by those who climbed the 15 steps to the temple in Jerusalem. It is likely that Jesus sang or spoke these very psalms as he went to the temple.
These psalms, then, are songs of worship and preparation for everyone who is on a journey home, a journey to meet and worship the God who created the world and has provided us with access to his presence through his Son, Jesus. The Bible is filled with imagery that reminds us that this world is not our home and that we are exiles here on our way home to God.
Beginning with distress
It is interesting to note that the very first psalm of acsent speaks of distress. I suspect when you and I plan trips, we don’t want to start with distress. We are looking for peace, rest, and comfort. And we certainly don’t want our road trip interrupted by car trouble, traffic, weather, or (worst of all) some person trying to interrupt our trip. But Psalm 120 opens with this line: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.”
I am writing this devotion on the one day I scheduled out of the office this week. I made the mistake of looking at my email last night and read a message that created stress, in fact, distress. As I read the message, I noted the many lies contained in the email. This morning as I opened my read-through-the-Bible plan, it took me to Psalm 120, which was exactly what I needed to read. The psalmist reminded me that when I am distressed, the first and best place to start is to call out to God and acknowledge my distress.
I wanted immediately to reply to the email and correct its many untruthful statements. As I prayed last night, I released the situation and my anger to God. Then as I opened his Word today, I found God reminding me how to deal with this particular distress—and with all distress.
Dealing with distress
First, I was reminded that I am on a pilgrimage. My journey on earth is short, and our purpose is to bring glory to God and extend his kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. As Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure at his crucifixion and for his ascension, he reminded them that in this world there would be much trouble. But they could and we can take heart because he has “overcome the world.”
Second, Psalm 120 reminds us that people will lie. They will lie about many things. Sometimes they will even lie about you and me. Both Jeremiah and James remind us that the tongue is a deadly arrow and a burning fire. With our mouths we can wreak havoc and cause much pain. So on our journey, we need to understand we will have to encounter those who lie and create distress. We also have to stay focused on living and speaking the truth in love and not in anger.
Finally, this psalm reminded me to take one step at a time. With each situation, each day, we must pray to God and know he will give us the protection we need from the enemy and the wisdom to navigate our journey. And of course, we always do well to remember our journey is toward our glorious home where we will see Jesus face-to-face and be reunited with those we love and long to be with forever.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 120:1-7; John 16:23-28, 33; Jeremiah 9:8; Hebrews 13:12-16 ESV
Photo by Fabrizio Conti on Unsplash
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