Psalms 120-121 (ESV)

1 In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. 2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. 3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? 4 A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! 5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. 7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war! … 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Intro: What did the pilgrims do and why did they do it?

EVERYBODY HURTS
The experience of distress is a universal experience. What are common causes?

EVERYONE LOOKS FOR HOPE
How have you looked for relief from distress? Everyone does.

WHY CAN YOU HAVE ASSURANCE?
How can I know God will redeem and sustain me?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD, our Helper who made heaven and earth. Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for His power (Almighty!) and vigilance (He never sleeps nor slumbers).

2 - How have you lived in trusting things or circumstances more than you trust the Lord? Confess your pride to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you and to renew you to trust Him more than anyone or anything.

3 - Give thanks to Jesus for His willingness to suffer and be separated from His Father in order to atone for our sins. Thank Him for all He endured to pay your debt and for all He gives you by His Grace.

4 - Who do you know that lives in distress? Pray for them, asking the Lord to help them, to secure them by His answer to their cries for help and to keep them by His immeasurable power.

5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to secure you in His love and faithfulness. Pray for the Spirit to bear in you His fruit of peace, especially as you compare what the things of this world offer vs. all that the LORD freely gives you in Christ.