2023/09/04 - Psalms 120-122: Deliverance, Protection, & Praise
Jerry Starling
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Reading: Psalms 120-122 – Deliverance, Protection, & Praise
Verses for Today
I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. (Psalm 120:7) The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. (Psalm 121:8) I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!” (Psalm 122:1)
Daily Devo
Deliverance
Psalm 121 - “Woe is me, that I am an alien in Meshech, that I must live among the tents of Kedar.” I want peace, but when I speak, they want war.
Distress drove the Psalmist to the LORD. “Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips” To live among liars is indeed stressful. No wonder He called to the LORD for deliverance.
What more shall be given to you? And what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? Is the Psalmist asking this of himself or of the one with the lying, deceitful tongue? I lean toward the latter, for sharp arrows with glowing coals of a broom tree is all the deceiver wants. The alien is helpless before the one who wants war!
Protection
Psalm 121 - “I lift my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Others may look to the hills for the high places of the idols so many worshiped. The one with God’s protection, “He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" but is always alert for their prayers.
The LORD shades you from the sun by day and the moon by night to keep you from all harm.
He keeps you from all evil. He keeps your life. He keeps your going out and coming in. He is there to guide and protect you now and forever!
If the LORD is your keeper, you will be at peace with no fear. No man can harm you, since He is watching over you!
Praise for God
Psalm 122 – Praise for God. “Jerusalem - built as a city bound firmly together! To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
Jerusalem had the throne of David, though David was dead when this Psalm was written. David, the king of just judgment, was revered.
Pray for peace for Jerusalem; “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.”
I will say, “Peace be within you” for the sake of my relatives. For the sake of the house of the LORD, “I will seek your good.”
Prayer for Jerusalem’s safety. Pray for peace within Jerusalem. Pray for the sake of relatives living there, Pray for the sake of the Lord’s Temple, the center of Israel’s worship. Pray that those who worship there will continue in the LORD’s ways, that they may not fall from them, as so many did from the time they left Egypt and were taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar.
Yes, God chastised them, but He brought them back as He had promised.
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Pray for Yourself
Father, I pray for the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name, I pray. May it spread to every corner of this wicked world! AMEN!
My Prayer for You (and for me)
Father, I offer this prayer for all who read these words. I pray that each of us will meditate on the prayer for Deliverance from Deceitful people, the Assurance of God’s Protection, and the Song of Praise to God for the New Jerusalem. This is my prayer, in His precious, holy name, AMEN!
Updates for Central
The Wednesday Morning Ladies’ Class will resume on Wednesday this week. All ladies are welcome to attend at 10:00 am. Those able to go to lunch afterward are welcome.
The Kid’s Club will be on Saturday, September 16 from 6:00-8:00 pm., ages five to twelve. Kendra Criss oversees this date.
Our Donation for Eastern European Mission’s Million Dollar Sunday will be taken on September 24. The entire contribution that day will go to EEM for Bibles in the old Soviet bloc of nations in Eastern Europe. Last year increased by 24% over 2021 with the most Bibles ever given away at about 1,964,000 Bibles distributed. They are hoping for more this year. What began as smuggling Bibles, after the fall of Communism, became an open mission with public schools and many other clients asking for Bibles.
Prayer Needs
Pat Duncan’s friend’s grandchild Daniel is back in the hospital after coming home. They are trying to find just what his problem is, so they can deal with it. Keep that family in your prayers.
Shane Ledford tested positive for Covid Friday morning, and Tom followed on Saturday. Pray for both Ledford's.
Susan Allen came home Thursday following her procedure. Keep her in your prayers.
Cindi Criss had her surgical procedure Friday, late in the day, stayed two nights in the hospital, but was discharged on Sunday, September 3. Keep her in your prayers.
Jennifer San Juan asked for more prayer for her daughter, Dawn. She is not doing very well, and Jennifer is deeply concerned.
Carl Bolli asks for prayers, as he fell a few weeks ago. He missed his CAT scan d/t the storm and is rescheduled for September 8.
Lee Cain asked for prayers for Mike & Kathryn Hartman. She had a head-on collision when a car came across the median directly into her. She is out of the hospital, but still has more surgery to face. Pray for both, as he owns his own business, and taking care of her is his priority. Meanwhile, the business suffers.
Joan Berry, Joanna Turner’s Mother, needs our prayers.
Carol Grandey, Brenda Schmidt’s sister, is home and is going into rehab. Keep her in your prayers.
Jesse Matthews, Sr. Ruth said he is in rehab, and they are looking for a nursing home for him. Their daughter is also still recuperating from her broken ankle. She needs prayers as does the whole family.
Kristi Holder is gaining day by day, but she still has weeks of wearing her hard brace. Keep her in your prayers.
Joy Bland found she has a broken bone in her foot that requires a boot to help it heal. She will have it for about six weeks and had a PET scan. She is considering further treatment.
Gale Harnish is home, but not well. Keep her in your prayers.
Susan Allen’s sister Debi is not well at all. Please remember her in your prayers.
Please let us know when you have events to publicize, are in the hospital, or are sick and need prayers. If you request prayer for someone, let us know when to take them off the prayer list. You can contact me by text or phone at 407-453-5392.