Turn and Yearn
Pastor David Rose shows how the Psalms of Ascent give us a model for crying out to God in the distress of this broken world, finding our new identity in Christ, delighting in Christian community, and praying for God’s people.
Pastor David challenges us to cultivate hearts that long for God even in the absence of feelings. We must act on truth rather than waiting for feelings in our walk with Christ. He reminds us that we can “act our way into feeling” as we faithfully gather for worship and pursue obedience. Listen in to find practical wisdom for fueling your “long obedience in the same direction” as you follow Christ.
Key Takeaways
- God says a long obedience begins with a cry of distress. (Psalm 120:1-5)
- God leads His people to repentance to the long obedience. (Psalm 120:6)
- God strengthens the repentant in a broken world. (Psalm 120:7)
- God moves His people to delight in His community. (Psalm 122:1-5)
- God stirs His people to pray for His peace and prosperity. (Psalm 122:6-8)
Further Study
- In Psalm 120:1, the psalmist cries out to God in distress. How does this relate to Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 to come to Him with our burdens? How does the Gospel provide ultimate relief from our distress?
- Psalm 120:5-7 speaks of living among those who hate peace. How does this parallel Jesus’ words in John 15:18-19 about the world hating His followers? How does the Gospel empower us to live as peacemakers in a hostile world?
- Psalm 122:1 talks about joy in going to the house of the Lord. How does this foreshadow the New Testament church’s gathering for worship (Hebrews 10:24-25)? How does the Gospel transform our motivation for corporate worship?
- In Psalm 122:6-9, there’s a call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. How might this relate to Paul’s instructions in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 to pray for all people? How does the Gospel inform our prayers for peace in our communities and the world?
- Psalm 122:3 describes Jerusalem as a city “bound firmly together.” How does this image relate to Paul’s description of the church as one body in Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27? How does the Gospel create and maintain this unity among believers in the midst of our struggle with sin?
The Gospel
If you have questions about what it means to be a Christian, we would love to talk with you about it.
Reach outThe heart of the Gospel is that Christ, in His great love, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, just as Scripture foretold (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). His sacrifice speaks directly to our deepest need – our separation from God due to sin. Christ Himself is God’s ultimate answer to humanity’s cry.
The Gospel proclaims that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It’s not about our efforts or good works, but about God’s mercy. When we repent and turn to Christ in faith, we receive forgiveness of sins and are given a new identity in Him.
This new identity in Christ empowers us to live differently in a broken world. We become people of peace, even when we’re surrounded by those who are “for war” (Psalm 120:7). The Gospel gives us strength for that “long obedience in the same direction,” as we daily turn from sin and yearn for Christ.
But this new identity isn’t meant to be lived in solitude. The Gospel brings us into God’s family, the Church. It’s there that we find joy and strength in gathering with fellow believers. We’re no longer alone in our distress but united in Christ.
Ultimately, the Gospel offers hope beyond this life. It promises that just as Christ rose from the dead, we too will be raised to eternal life with Him. It’s this same hope that fuels our daily walk, even when our feelings might lag behind.
The Gospel is the good news that through Christ’s perfect life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection, we can be reconciled to God, transformed in our daily living, and given an eternal hope that holds us both now and into forever.