Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Oct 6 2019 - Psalm 121 – I lift up my eyes to the hills

Psalms 120-134 are entitled psalms or songs of ascents. They were psalms that were traditionally sung or chanted as the Israelites travelled "up" to Jerusalem from the various parts of the Promised Land at the time of the major festivals. They were psalms written for and used by a pilgrim people.

There were three major festivals in the year. Passover celebrated God's rescue of his ancient people from slavery in Egypt. Harvest celebrated God's goodness in giving them a land flowing with milk and honey. Tabernacles celebrated the way in which God had provided for his people during forty years wandering in the wilderness, caused by their own rebellion. Each of these festivals was designed to remind God's people of his saving goodness and mercy and to fill them with thankfulness and praise. So they would sing these psalms as they made their way to Jerusalem.

The journey was no easy one. For many it would involve travelling through barren and mountainous regions where gangs of thieves might hang out waiting for the unwary traveller – remember Jesus' parable of the "Good Samaritan". Looking up at the threatening mountains around them, travellers might have wondered whether they were going to arrive safely at the City of God. They would have asked who would protect them in their journey. And the answer would have come immediately in the words of this psalm, "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth" (v. 2).

What a tremendous encouragement and reassurance to know that the mighty and living God who created heaven and earth (and everything in them), watches over and protects his people. This is the theme of this wonderful psalm which must have been sung with conviction as the pilgrims made their way to Zion. Note the repeated assertion that the Lord watches over his people (vv. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8). The pilgrims would have to camp down at night during their journey. Perhaps that was when they would feel most vulnerable. This psalm reminds them that the God who redeemed them, the God of Israel, neither slumbers nor sleeps. He lovingly watches over his people in the darkness of night as well as in the bright light of day – nor does he take a nap during the heat of the day.

This psalm rejoices in the assurance that the Lord will keep his people from all harm. One writer says verses 7-8 amount to "A comprehensive insurance policy, securely underwritten."  But we know that those who trust in the living God, whether Israelites travelling up to Jerusalem in Old Testament times or Christians going about their ordinary tasks today, are not immune from the troubles faced by others. We also suffer from accidents, sickness, attacks by others and, at last, death. Does this psalm then amount to no more than singing in the dark to keep our spirits up?

Not at all. God's watching over us began before we were even conscious of his care. He sent his Son into the world to be our Saviour when we were rebels against him. Jesus not only shed his blood for us to make us his own, he also declares that none of those who believe in him will be snatched from his hand – not one will be lost. Moreover, he has sent his Spirit into our hearts to be our companion and guide on the path of our pilgrim journey to glory:

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home. 

Jesus death and resurrection is God's secure underwriting of his promise of care for us – now and for evermore.

Father God, we thank you that you watch over us with loving care far exceeding that of any earthly parent. Lord Jesus, we thank you that you have purchased us through your precious blood and will not permit any power to snatch us from your hand. By your Spirit, fill us with songs of joyful praise as we travel towards our eternal home. And help us to gather many more pilgrims along the way, pilgrims who will rejoice with us over your unfailing love and care. 

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Oct 6 2020 - Hebrews 2:1-18 – We see Jesus

The Son of God became like us in order that he might save us. He took upon himself our humanity, suffered death in our place and by his resurrection broke its power.

O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight
and to the rescue came.

O wisest love! that flesh and blood,
which did in Adam fail,
should strive afresh against the foe,
should strive, and should prevail.

Jesus suffered and died for us. But he is also risen for us and is seated at God's right hand in the place of authority and power. God has declared Jesus to be Lord over all things by his resurrection from the dead.

But we continue to live in a world marked by all manner of evils; a world of suffering and injustice; a world in which death appears still to have the last word. It is not yet Eden restored; "at present we do not see everything subject to him" (Hebrews 2:8). This much is quite obvious, but the writer of this letter continues, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone" (2:9). In what sense do we "see Jesus ... crowned with glory and honour"? We see him with the eye of faith: faith that believes the testimony of the first witnesses that Jesus is risen from the dead; faith born of the Spirit whom the risen Jesus has breathed into our hearts testifying that Jesus Christ is Lord. In this sense we see that Jesus is Lord over all and know that the day will come when all things will be made subject to him. An age is coming when there will be no more injustice pain or death – just life, life in all its fullness.

And in the meantime, we live in this present age by faith in him and by his power. Jesus has set us free – free from the fear of death and judgment; free to serve him. He has identified himself with us – calling us his brothers and sisters – that we might live in union with him. He is our help (2:16) day by day and moment by moment, our merciful and faithful high priest who is able to help us when we are tempted. If he could be faithful to the Father’s call upon his life, even in the face of the cross and when assailed by all the powers of darkness, he can help/enable us also to be faithful in all the trials we meet. We are not called to live a life of obedience by our own strength but by his resurrection power. Jesus has been raised to the place of authority and power over the entire universe for our sake. He has done all this for us not for our salvation alone, but that by his help and power we might bring something of the age to come into this present age; that others too might "see Jesus" – that all might own him as Lord and be subject to him.

Lord Jesus, crowned with glory and honour, we long for that day when all things will be subject to you. Enable us to have you ever before our view this day and in all things to live in joyful subjection to you. Help us to walk closely with you and to face each challenge that this day may bring depending upon your power, confident of your ability and readiness to help. May others also see something of your glory through our words and conduct this day and be drawn to own you as Lord.

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Peter Misselbrook