Psalm 120:1
Series: At the End of Your Rope-Part 4
Introduction: Song of Degrees, Song of Steps, or Song of Ascents is a title given to each of fifteen of the Psalms, numbered 120-134. The probable origin of this name is the circumstance that these psalms came to be sung by the people on the ascents or goings up to Jerusalem to attend the three pilgrim festivals (Deut. 16:16). Yes, this Psalm was song while on a journey. We believers are on a journey; we are pilgrims. And, as pilgrims on this journey we will experience moments when we are at the end of our rope. The purpose of the sermon is to take a look at what we can do when we experience moments when we are at the end of rope along this journey.
I. His Predicament – “In my distress…”
 | Predicament – dilemma, plight, unpleasantly difficult, perplexing dangerous situation; |
| Being at a distance from his own country, or, from the house of God; persecuted by men, under the lash of their tongues; reproached, abused, and belied by them… |
| Predicaments are a part of life. They seem to be inevitable. |
| Compare Job 14:1 says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” |
II. His Petition – “…I cried unto the Lord…”
| Petition – the offering of our requests to God. | ||||||||
| To petition
(cry to God) God points out…
|
III. His Petition Answered – “…and He heard me.”
| Heard means to answer and respond… |
| It is more than just listening…God listened and responded. |
| God is willing and able. Man is either willing and not able; or able and not willing. But God is willing and able. |
· Cp. Psalm 40:1-3 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.
Conclusion – Ocean Voyage (illustration)
While crossing the Atlantic on an oceanliner, F. B. Meyer was asked to address the first class passengers. At the captain’s request he spoke on “Answered Prayer.” An agnostic who was present at the service was asked by his friends, “What did you think of Dr. Meyer’s sermon?” He answered, “I didn’t believe a word of it.”
That afternoon Meyer went to speak to the steerage passengers. Many of the listeners at his morning address went along, including the agnostic, who claimed he just wanted to hear “what the babbler had to say.” Before starting for the service, the agnostic put two oranges in his pocket. On his way he passed an elderly woman sitting in her deck chair fast asleep. Her hands were open. In the spirit of fun, the agnostic put the two oranges in her outstretched palms. After the meeting, he saw the old lady happily eating one of the pieces of fruit. “You seem to be enjoying that orange,” he remarked with a smile.
“Yes, sir,” she replied, “My Father is very good to me.”
“Your father? Surely your father can’t be still alive!”
“Praise God,” she replied, “He is very much alive.”
“What do you mean?” pressed the agnostic. She explained,
“I’ll tell you, sir. I have been seasick for days. I was asking God somehow to send me an orange. I suppose I fell asleep while I was praying. When I awoke, I found He had not only sent me one orange but two!”
The agnostic was speechless. Later he was converted to Christ. Yes, praying in God’s will bring an answer.
· Jesus’ predicament - in the garden
· Jesus’ petition – let this cup pass from me, not my will but thy will be done…
· Jesus’ answered petition – he went to Calvary