Read the Book: October - DecemberSample

ON OUR SIDE

Psalms 123-125 are three of the 15 Songs of Ascents in the Bible. Tradition tells us these songs were sung by Jewish pilgrims traveling to Mount Zion to worship. In all three of these Psalms, the singer declares utter dependence on God. 

In Psalm 123, amidst unceasing scorn and contempt from their enemies, the singer looks to heaven, where the Lord sits on the throne, and petitions Him for mercy. 

In Psalm 124, a priest leads the people to answer the question: What if the Lord had not been on their side? They answer that the people “would have swallowed us alive… the raging waters would swept us away” (v. 3,5). 

In Psalm 125, the Lord is described as an unmovable mountain, surrounding His people and protecting them from the evils that would lead them astray and destroy them.

People sang these songs to remind them of how God had delivered them in the past and their need to continually look to and trust in Him. It’s just as important for us to have these reminders too. When we gather and worship together, not only are we worshiping God for who He is and what He’s done, but we are reminding ourselves of the truths of His promises and protection, too. 

When we take communion, we are remembering Christ, crucified for us. When we open the Word of God, we are reminding ourselves of the beauty and vitality of the Gospel. Just as the Israelite people continually reminded themselves of their dependence on God and need for deliverance, we must continually remember what Peter said in 1 Peter 2: “Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” We proclaim the excellencies of God, who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). 

FAMILY CONNECTION

Have you ever received something you didn’t deserve (if you want, give everyone an extra dessert or treat)? Have you ever been in trouble but were forgiven? That is grace! God showed us grace when He sent His Son to be the sacrifice for our sin. The author of Psalms 123 was asking for Grace and God provided him more than he could ever have imagined. Have you received the grace that God gives? This is a great chance to talk about salvation and giving their lives to Christ.