The Songs Of Ascent – Part 2 – Psalm 120 – Trouble And Persecution Series

THE SONGS OF ASCENT – PART 2 – PSALM 120 – TROUBLE AND PERSECUTION

(A). O, THE GRIEF OF THE TROUBLED SOUL

{{Psalm 120:1 “In my trouble I cried to the LORD and He answered me.”}}

The Introduction for these Psalms has been done in Part 1, and today we commence with Psalm 120, obviously the first of the Psalms of Ascent.

Each person has a different set of experiences in life and very few people know very much of what other persons are going through. Most people clam up in their problems and some are suffering greatly and we do not even know it. It is tragic.

People are reluctant to share because they think others will think ill of them and they will look foolish and then be greatly embarrassed. I can understand that happening in the outside world – that is outside a church fellowship – as people generally are callous and indifferent and critical and judgemental. However in the safety of a church fellowship that should not be the case, but it often is to the church’s shame.

I despair often as to where hurting and desperate people can go. I don’t bother watching Dr Phil but just happened to see a couple minutes of one program just recently right at the point where a hurting person was on the show. Then this supposed expert came on with a board of about 12 points to help the person in need. I was saddened by all that because nearly all those points were from the New Age practices. It also embraced humanism; for example one point was, “You have the ability in yourself to lift yourself from the situation.” This “power of positive thinking” is not Christian; it is humanism. It will do not one atom of good.

Many people carry grief and emotional scarring for a great deal of their lives. The old gospel truth of what Jesus said is always pertinent – {{Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Matt 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you shall find rest for your souls, Matt 11:30 for My yoke is easy and My load is light.”}}

Our great problem is to match hurting people with the Saviour. Far too often they do not want to know the solution that lies only a prayer away. Then again has the church lost its mission and strength to seek these people? I think it may have. It is interesting to note in these verses the commands. Jesus will not barge in, but all who come, and all who take, and all who learn, will never be disappointed.

The psalmist knew the correct balm of Gilead and the correct soothing oil to apply in his great need. When he was in trouble he cried to the Lord. There can be no other solution. What other refuge had he? He had none. I have often said this, that men and women use the Lord as the last resort. They run around, seek doctors and psychologists, seek the world’s counsellors or analysts when in fact many analysts and psychologists have their own therapists! It is like consulting an ugly toad and asking it, “How can I become beautiful?” The Lord Jesus is not the last resort for mankind’s problems; He should be the first.

Verse 1 is the lovely testimony of a faithful heart – “In my trouble I cried to the LORD.” I think the Psalms contain help for every type of human emotion and failing. Many times have I resorted to them in pain or trouble or when waves are too high and come crashing down on me. The Psalms can be called, “The Book of Greatest Comfort”. Psalm 120:1 is not the only case of the Lord being a Refuge of comfort in trouble. Here are three other examples of comforting help -

(B). GOD, THE COMFORT FOR THE HURTING SOUL

[1]. {{Psalm 46:1“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in TROUBLE.”}} It is no good having a refuge if it is not strong and can be demolished by a wind gust. God is all powerful and Almighty. In that verse I love the words “A VERY PRESENT HELP,” as they convey a God right at your right hand ready to step in at a moment’s call. He is there always for you. He is with us until the end of the (Church) age.

[2]. {{Psalm 81:6 “I relieved his shoulder of the burden. His hands were freed from the basket. Psa 81:7 You called in TROUBLE, and I rescued you. I answered you in the hiding place of thunder. I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.”}}