Psalm 126

Psalm 126 is a Psalm of celebration.

This celebration is for the deliverance that God has given us.

V 1: When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Many of us dream about lot of things, Things which are not realistic, which don't happen.
But when that  happens , you say its like a dream come true.


This is probably talking about captivity by babylon.

How many years : 70.

And consider the might of babylon at that time,
consider the situations, they never thought.


Leviticus 25 : 2 - 4
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the Lord. 3 Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; 4 but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard


These are the days where people work extra hours even at the cost of attending Church.
But we should know that God has ordained every thing for a purpose.

God says 6 days you work, seventh day rest, a rest in the presence of the Lord. you don't give rest what happens it leads to captivity.

God says bring your tithe into the house of God. if you don't do it, it some how leads captivity.

God says 6 years you sow , seventh year rest. and if you don't it leads to captivity.

For 490 years they have not given rest to the land. And so, God decided that the land should have rest.

Leviticus 26 : 34-35

34 Then the land shall enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies’ land;

then the land shall rest and enjoy its sabbaths.

35 As long as it lies desolate it shall rest—

for the time it did not rest on your sabbaths when you dwelt in i

When we see thing, we always look at ourselves.
But when God looks at things, He is concerned about everything.

Give the seventh day rest, He thinks about the servants of the house, about the animals which work in the field.
and when He says seventh year you should give rest to the land, he thinks even for the land.
and the land also should get rest.

God does not leave us in the captivity but also has a plan for deliverance.
but in captivity we learn the lesson hard way.



V 2 - When they were in captivity there were not singing.

Psalm 137 : no singing, only weeping in captivity.

By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down, yea, we wept
When we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps
Upon the willows in the midst of it.
3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,
And those who plundered us requested mirth,
Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song
In a foreign land?

We see so many people in captivity.
V 5,6  - says Sow in Tears and you shall reap in joy.
last week when Pastor Yesudhas was here, he was telling cry for the empty pews and for people in captivity. We shall doubtless come again with rejoincing


5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 124

Many times we don't give credit where it's due.

Genesis 14:21,22
Before Abram went to war to release Lot, he made a commitment that he will not own the victory .
Even in victory,  his mind is on getting Credit for God.

Sometimes in success we try to own up things but Abram was man who is God conscious even in victory

It is easy to say if at that time we had not that money then I would not have been out of trouble,  or if not for friends i would not have been out of trouble.

Verse 8

Psalm 91

Enemy always try to trap us.  But it is God who always deliver us from the traps.


God's grace.

Psalm 123

Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He has mercy on us.


The main theme of this psalm is eyes looking to God.

Verse 1
Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.


A carnal mind or a man who walks by flesh always lift up eyes to the things of the earth, the people of the earth. Carnal mind cannot think of anything heavenly. Its maximum level is earth.

But a Spiritual man lift up his eyes to the God who dwell in heavens.
A spirit mans confession is this.

Psalm 73:25
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You


That is why prayer in a believers life is so important which indicates that you lift up your eyes above the earth and look toward God who dwell in heavens.

When you lift up your eyes to God in heaven, you confess that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights.

There might be many gifts you might get in this world from people in different ways, but Good and Perfect Gift comes from above.


Verse 2

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He has mercy on us.


There are 2 main phrases in this verse.

eyes of servants or eyes of the maid.
hand of their masters or hand of her mistress.

We know that when Worship Leader leads the worship, all the choir eyes should be looking to the hand of the leader.
When the leader gives different signs, the choir follows.
if the choir misses out looking to the leader, then leader might be giving directions, but there is no proper music, because the eyes are not looking at it.

The Master's hand  and eyes of servants are connected by one thing. that is eyes of servants looking unto the Masters hand.

From Masters hand : There will be several things coming out.
1) The bread. - When Master opens hand and gives food, and when the servant eyes are upon the hand, they can take it.

2) Directions for life - When Master hand directs to do this or do that, then the servant immediately obeys and does it.
When you look to the Lord for directions, your way will be straight. When you lift up your eyes to Gods Word and Spirits leading you humble yourselves and say I need directions for my life.

3) Anointing - 
We have seen few weeks back that  for receiving double portion anointing, the only Condition Elijah kept for Elisha is to see - the eyes of the servant is upon the master, then the masters anointing will be transferred upon the servant.
We see many people in workplaces who rebel against their authorities and they never enjoy the favor of master. one reason is their eyes are never upon the hand of master. rebellion is like a witchcraft that destroys people.
Just keep your eyes upon the Lord.

Finally, Until He has mercy on us.


Until  - indicates Waiting Time.
If we are waiting upon the Lord for some door to open in our lives, never turn your eyes away from the Lord. Keep on looking to the Lord UNTIL He has mercy on us.


example: of waiting and receiving from the Lord.

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?


Psalmist always going around hills when the Saul was attacking him.
So , he was hiding in the caves and in the valleys and what he sees all around is hills.

Whenever a threat is there, immediately he looks to which hill he should run to, on which hill, he can take shelter.

A mountain, from far looks very smooth except some grass. But if you  go near the hill, or if you are someone who has hiking experience, you know that a hill is full of big  trees and rocks.

i grew up in place called vijayawada, i was living next to hill, so my favorite past time is climb the hill, not by the way which has stairs, but holding the trees and rocks.
if someone is attacking you, if you go and hide in a mountains, its almost impossible to find that person.

Psalmist faced many dangers and he always looked to the mountains around him and he says Lord i face so many dangers and threats , and i look to these hills around me, where does my help come from.

What is one greatest fear you have in life today that you say where does myhelp come from?
your health, your relationship, your business, your financial situation, your job , your kids, your family?

Declare my help comes from the Lord.

It is easy to look to the hills because you see them with natural eyes, in our lives the hills could be immediate help we get.

Prodigal son was looking for the help, when he looked around for help, he saw pigs food and he was eating pigs food.

The bible says he came to senses  about the Source of his life.

When you are looking around for help, come to senses, come to the Father.
It is easy to look to creation in times of need, but come to senses to come to the Father.

V 3-8 is a blessing.

One key word in all the blessing is  KEEP

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;

you might have your dad, your mom, or your family members or your friend , but Know fully that the Lord is your keeeper.

your friends know you from the time you started making your friends.
your siblings or any other family members know you from the time they grew of age.
your parents knew you from the time of your birth.
But the Lord is your Maker, He knows you even before you are formed in the womb of your mother.

Keeper means the one who takes care.

if you know of a nursing mother who is taking care of a new born baby, she can't even stay away from the baby even for a few minutes, she spends sleepless nights to keep you.

This is our God, He is our KEEPER.

All these are blessing
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.


But the key is There is place where you see all these blessings.

psalm 91:1

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Dwelling - secret place of the Most high.
There is this Shadow of the Almighty available for those who dwell in the secret place.

Where is your dwelling place today?
There is no other place where there is safety? there is no other place where there is caring.

There is only one place there is shadow, there is only one place where you are take care of, there is only place where you are cared like a baby is cared by nursing mother.
That is the secret place.

Do you dwell there? Do you spend time in presence of God?

Why do i see many evil things in my life?why do i always stumble in my life?
why do i see many attacks by enemy in my life?

Do you dwell there in that secret place. Come quickly to that only place where you can experience these blessing. Amen

Psalm 120

There are 2 types of people mentioned in this psalm

1) people who lie  (V 2)
2) people of who fights. (V 7)

Lies and Fights are always interconnected.

Famous american lies are:
1) I will start my diet tomorrow
2) Give me your number, the doctor will call you right back
3) Please come home some time.
4) This offer is limited to first 100 people.

Preacher about sin of lying.

Whenever there is a fight between 2 , you would definitely know that somebody is lying.

1) people of lying lips and deceitful tongue.
    
Verse 2: Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips
And from a deceitful tongue.
The psalmist says Lord I am in the midst of people who always lie.
Even today we live among people who lie. 
We see people around us at workplaces, neighbors, and even Churches.

When did this all lies started?

Genesis 2:16
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

God said if you eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, you shall surely die.

Genesis 3: 3,4

4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

Now the serpent said  you will not surely die.

What comes from the mouth of God is Truth. Even today what comes from the Word of God, what is led by the Holy Spirit of God is Truth.

Even if your closest friend says or if a family member or if majority says also,

Anything against the Word of God, that is a lie.

Let God be True and every man be a liar.

Even if media says don't believe it , as President Trump puts it its all Fake news.

In the midst of the this fake news,  all fake stuff, how do you recognize Truth.

Only Holy Spirit. our dwelling in the Presence of God will reveal the Truth. our dependence on God reveals the Truth.

Isaiah 6:5

5 So I said:

“Woe is me, for I am undone!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King,
The Lord of hosts.”

Isaiah when he saw the King , in His presence he says woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips.

When we come to presence of God, 2 things are revealed.
1) the condition of our lips.
2) the condition of people among whom we dwell.

When Isaiah saw the King, he is revealed of the condition of his lips and he says i am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.

You have to see the King, You have to be in the presence of God.

Do you spend time in Presence of God?

When Elisha asked Elijah for double portion of anointing, What is the condition that Elijah applied? Elijah did not ask to fast and pray but he said only if you see me.

Your see things differently than world when you spend time in presence of God. only when Isaiah saw the Presence of God the Truth about him and the Truth about his people was revealed?


2 Kings 2: 9,10

9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”

Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Abraham vs Lot

If We see that today believers , they don't commit any sins like  adultery, stealing, murder.
But we see some believers  have rest and some are tormented.
Some have victorious lives,  but others have defeated  lives.

Some have families following God, some families gone astray.

Both are coming to Church, both are hearing the Word.

Today we will be looking at 2 believers who has contrast lives.

Abraham and Lot.
We have been hearing on this in our bible studies and today want to bring out few things in this meditation.

Genesis 13: 5

Lot also had flocks,  people.

Remember in Genesis . 12, Abraham picked up Lot when God  asked him to come,  he had no father,  instead of leaving him there,  he showed compassion .
He made him somebody from nobody.

Remember your roots.  
The humble begginings.
Just because you got a good job,  just because you got America,  just because you are well off now,  there is no place of pride.

Galatians 6:3 NKJV

For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
So when he was nobody with out father and mother,  he was made somebody.

We see this in bible.

Joseph - when he became pm in Egypt , he didn't forget his brothers,  when he saw his brothers,  he cried and helped.

Daniel - he helped 3 friends to get jobs. 
Lifting up another people.
We have many examples of youngsters who came to our Church, went out with jobs,  financially supported,  with support of prayer,  jobs,  money .

But now when Abraham asks to go , he immediately left.

He didn't even ask these flocks ares given by you,  herds given by you.  But now with out you how can I go.

When Elijah asked Elisha go , he said he will not go.
When Naomi asked Ruth to leave,  she said your people are my people,  your God my God.

When Lord Jesus asked disciples whether they will also leave,  the disciples said where can we go , You have Words of eternal life.

Always,  dwell in the secret place , don't opt for attractive places.

Psalm 91:1 says,
Dwell in secret place , secret place is where you have Words of eternal life,  where there is presence of God,.

These are the days when a small issue comes, people leave Church. These are the days they use all services of Pastor , Church,  but small issue comes they leave Church.

The problem is not that they are any big sinners, but their ways not correct in sight of God.
If you have love for God, you won't leave,
Lot missed that love for Abraham.

Spiritual experiences :

Abraham life:

Altar - sacrificial lifeGenesis 13:18 NKJV

Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord .

Genesis 14:20 NKJV

Giving tithe

And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.
Genesis 14:22 NKJV

No compromise on money.

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord , God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth,

only experience we see for Lot is sitting at the gate of Sodom.

Lot pitched his tent at Sodom,  when angels cane he was sitting at the gate of sodom.

No spiritual experiences.
Some people come to Church and be with other believers but do not learn any spiritual experience s.

You can sit in the church and go out do nothing.
Do you learn anything from coming to Church.
Did you learn building Altar. giving to God, Not compromising with the world.

Bringing up a godly generation.

Genesis 18:17

17 And the Lordsaid, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, 18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”

To Lot, angels were asking.
Genesis 19:
12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! 


Abraham raise up 318 soldiers who do battles of the Lord.

but here nobody other than family -
Do you have anyone else here? whom did you save, do you have anyone else.

turn to Genesis 14:12

Victorious life vs Defeated life.

Genesis 14:12

12 They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

when you dwell in places where you are not supposed to live, there is captivity.

Lot was became captive.


Abraham  was always victorious. there was never an instance where somebody came and attacked him.

Once defeated - you have to learn to come to victorious ways.

coming to Victorious  ways - coming to thankfulness, coming to presence of God.

2 Peter says he was never happy - defeated in family life, defeated in society life.

7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—

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Amen.



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God can even come to Sodom if you have willingness to come out of that Sodom.
God comes down even for 4 people.
when you have concern for next generation, God will reveal what He plans to do.


Lot is a righteous man, not an adulterer, not a theif,
Todays Christians also - they might not be thieves, might not be adulteress.

but their ways are wrong.

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1)   Gods will  vs  own Will

Lingering.

Some although they faced lot of hard things in life.
still they linger at

16 And while he lingered

After, facing so much of hardships, still lingering.
What is supposed to do good, do it again.

even after come out of sodom, they step into more worst place.
its because you still want your will


Abraham decided that He will go where God directs him.
Lot looked with his eyes and went to Sodom.

Genesis 13:
Lots flocks,herds
Abraham - raised Lot , made him equal
Joseph - although prime minister, made brothers equal.


Elijah said go from Jericho, Bethel, Jordan  --- Elisha said i wont go

Naomi said go - Ruth said your people are my people.

Jesus said to disciples  - go , but disciples said where can we go, you have words of eternal life.

These are the days when a small issue comes, people leave Church. These are the days they use all services of Pastor , Church,  but small issue comes they leave Church.

The problem is not that they are any big sinners, but their ways not correct in sight of God.

-- Aaron, served Moses without any expectation till He was given priesthood.


Lot does not have love for Abraham.

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Altar - experiences of God.

Do you have altar in life
Abraham - wherever he goes there is always an altar
Lot - no altar mentioned anywhere
You can sit in the church and go out do nothing.
Do you learn anything from coming to Church.
Did you learn building Altar...

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Victorious life vs Defeated life.

Lot was became captive.
Abraham  was always victorious. there was never an instance where somebody came and attacked him.

2 Peter says he was never happy - defeated in family life, defeated in society life.

Once defeated - you have to learn to come to victorious ways.
coming to Victorious  ways - coming to thankfulness, coming to presence of God.
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12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! 


Abraham raise up 318 soldiers who do battles of the Lord.

but here nobody other than family -
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