There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 120
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. [Psalm 120:6-7]
This is a song for the uphill journey – both literally, walking up the slope towards Jerusalem for s religious festival, and figuratively, the uphill struggle against hardship and persecution.
As the psalmist ‘goes to worship’, he prays for help and protection from deceitful, violent attackers.
He expresses his frustration that he has always been a person of peace among them, and yet they treat him as an enemy, they oppose and attack him.
In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. [Matthew 26:55]
Jesus is surrounded by armed antagonists, and He expresses the same frustration: I was not promoting rebellion but peace, why the violence and weapons?
Jesus is known for His peaceful, non-violent nature; His followers ought to be known for the same thing.
Jesus and His followers make it their goal to honour God by promoting honesty, humility, justice, mercy, peace and reconciliation.
Sadly, those who live this way often discover that they dwell among a people who prefer the opposite – dishonesty, arrogance, injustice, revenge, tension and unforgiveness.
And sometimes, because of this, Jesus’ followers may be tempted to change.
It is hard to stand up and stand out for these good things, and often it is easier to blend in, to be like others, to not draw attention to ourselves.
But the call of Jesus is for all of us, not just to believe in Him but to live like Him, to dwell among deceitful, violent people with integrity and morality!
Not only does the Lord call us to stand up and stand out in these settings, He also promises to use us for good and to protect us for eternity.
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. [Matthew 10:22]
Jesus calls us to stand with Him as He dwells in Meshek, among the tents of Kedar, among those who hate peace and are for war!
PRAYER:
Lord, when I find myself in a place where people around me are not doing or saying what is right or good, help me to stand up and stand out for You!