Psalm 120 sounds like a real downer, but we can learn a lot from it. All of the things that the psalmist was going through can be dealt with the same way. Remembering verse 1, and actually DOING it, is the answer to every situation!
1IN MY distress I cried to the Lord, and He answered me.
What does the Word say? What has God done in the past? Do what worked before unless He leads you in a different way. Remind yourself of past victories and refuse to believe ANYTHING contrary to the Word. That being said, the Word of God also says that those who serve the Lord WILL face trials and tests, BUT...
11Persecutions, sufferings--such as occurred to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me.12Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand].
1 Corinthians 9 is the answer to all of those who question whether or not Pastors and other ministers of the Gospel should be paid for studying, praying, teaching and preaching. Look especially at verses 7-9:
7[Consider this:] What soldier at any time serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of the fruit of it? Who tends a flock and does not partake of the milk of the flock?8Do I say this only on human authority and as a man reasons? Does not the Law endorse the same principle?9For in the Law of Moses it is written, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn. Is it [only] for oxen that God cares?
and verse 11:
11If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?
and verses 13-14:
13Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple get their food from the temple? And that those who tend the altar share with the altar [in the offerings brought]?14[On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.
Make sure you are taking good care of your Pastor and those who teach you the Word of God! Galatians 6:6 says this:
6Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support].
AMEN!!!
Joshua 13-14 tells again of the way the land was to be divided for the nation of Israel by tribes. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of the so-called experts who come out against the nation of Israel today would actually look at what land GOD says is theirs! Not only should they NOT give up any more land, they don't even possess all that God ordained for them to have! One day they WILL! Jesus Himself will see to it! AMEN!
I also like that the giants of faith among the Israelites, Joshua and Caleb, are 100 years old and 85 years old and have still been fighting! YOU are NOT too old to accomplish what God has called you to do! Let's stay busy with the things of God, right up until the Rapture of the Church! He will renew your strength and vitality as you continue to "wait" on Him! Isaiah 40:31:
31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Remember that waiting on Him is an active word! Be about pleasing the Lord every day and EVERY day will be a GREAT DAY! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
