Finding Yourself in the Psalms
Psalm 123-124
A Psalm for the Year’s End
Psalm 123 and 124. Babylonian Captivity.
123 likely written during the Captivity
124 (written by David). Compiled by those who endured the Captivity.
I. Psalm 123
A. Read Psalm 123
B. SUFFERING in Babylon
C. “The LORD knew that His people would need Him when they were far from Jerusalem. He also foresaw the time when Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed and there would be no opportunity to “to up to Jerusalem and worship the LORD.” Therefore, He supplied this psalm for all of His people who would experience distressful situations at any time.” Kelso, 387
D. Prayer for God’s mercy. V. 2,3
1. Not the usual word for mercy.
2. “Deliver us from our present distress”
3. A confession of their entire dependence on Him as their only hope”
II. Psalm 124
A. Unique Psalm. The “What If?” Psalm
B. Three illustrations of danger
1. A FIRE (v. 3)
2. A FLOOD (v.4-5)
3. A FIERCE ANIMAL (v. 6)
C. God’s Deliverance. V. 7
1. “A bird who escaped”
2. JUDAH escaped from Sennacharib’s trap!
a. 10 Northern tribes captured
b. Northern border cities captured c. Lachish under siege
3. Sennacherib boasts of Judah’s SIEGE, but not of being conquered!. "As to Hezekiah the Jew, he did not submit to my yoke. I laid siege to 46 of his strong cities, walled forts, and to the countless small villages in their vicinity and conquered them…. Himself I made a prisoner in Jerusalem,
his royal residence, like a bird in a cage. I surrounded him with earthwork…." (6-sided baked clay prism in tiny cuneiform script. Museum of the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago.)
D. GOD provided. 2 Kings 19:5-7
E. Hezekiah an example of TRUST and OBEY
1. Tunneling a shaft through 1,748 feet of solid rock to supply water to the city in time of siege (2 Kings 20:20).
2. Stopping up springs around Jerusalem that could supply water to an attacking Assyrian army (2 Chronicles 32:1-4).
3. Extending and strengthening the wall of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32:5a).
4. Increasing the production of shields and weapons (2 Chronicles 32:5b).
5. Organizing combat forces (2 Chronicles 32:6)
III. APPLICATION: The End of another year!
A. “WHAT IF” the Lord had not been protecting your life!
B. “WHAT IF” the Lord had not been watching over your loved ones!
1. Michael – Iraq
2. Brittany – daily travels
C. “WHAT IF” the Lord stopped listening to your prayers?
1. Some of came to the end of our rope!
D. “WHAT IF” the Lord had not been blessing FBC?
1. A GREAT year!
2. But WHAT IF????
3. Close to 50 salvation decisions
4. An entirely new congregation!
5. Great financial blessings
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