the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
Psalms 120:1-7; ; Psalms 121:1-8
The fifteen songs of degrees (Psalms 120:1-7; Psalms 121:1-8; Psalms 122:1-9; Psalms 123:1-4; Psalms 124:1-8; Psalms 125:1-5; Psalms 126:1-6; Psalms 127:1-5; Psalms 128:1-6; Psalms 129:1-8; Psalms 130:1-8; Psalms 131:1-3; Psalms 132:1-18; Psalms 133:1-3; Psalms 134:1-3) retrace in an increasing emphasis of joy the deliverance and restoration of the remnant of Israel.
Psalms 120:1-7 finds the faithful in their captivity among the Gentiles and we hear their cries. They are suffering from having to dwell amongst them "that hate peace." May we as Christians all the more realise just how greatly opposed the world is to God and thereby also to His children. The world knows no peace; still less can it give it. But what does the Lord say to His own? "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John 14:27).
In Psalms 121:1-8 the faithful turn their attention from the scene of their suffering up towards the mountains (Zion, the object of their hope: see Psalms 87:1-2). However their help will come from even higher, from the Creator who established the mountains. The LORD responds to that faith with moving personal promises (vv. 3-8). Every believer can take these from the Lord for himself. He is in the world, but he will be kept (or preserved, emphasised six times) wherever he is and at all times in answer to the prayer of his Saviour. "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" (cf. v. 7 with John 17:15).
