Persevering in Faith: The Journey Between Belief and Completion

Devotional

Day 1: Crying Out to God in Distress Brings His Response

Even the most faithful believers will face distress, but God invites us to come honestly before Him, pouring out our hearts in prayer, knowing that He hears and responds. In times of trouble, rather than turning to worldly solutions or hiding our struggles, we are called to come clean before the Lord, crying out to Him with humility and trust, confident that He will transform our distress into peace. [16:55]

Psalm 120:1-2 (ESV)
In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.

Reflection: When was the last time you truly cried out to God from your heart, not just your lips? What is one area of distress you need to bring honestly before Him today?

Day 2: Guarding Our Tongues: The Power of Words

Our words hold the power of life and death, blessing and curse; as followers of Christ, we must seek deliverance from deceitful speech and dedicate our tongues to glorify God in all we say. The same mouth that praises God can also wound others, and Scripture warns that every careless word will be accounted for. Let us come before God, asking Him to purify our speech, so that our words build up, bless, and reflect His holiness in every circumstance. [34:28]

James 3:9-10 (ESV)
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words may have hurt or discouraged someone. How can you seek God’s help to speak life and blessing instead?

Day 3: Living Faithfully in an Unbelieving World

God’s people are often called to live among those who do not share their faith, and while this can be uncomfortable, it is also a mission field where we are to remain steadfast and distinct. The psalmist laments dwelling among those who hate peace, yet he remains committed to God’s ways, refusing to conform to the world’s standards. If God has placed you in a challenging environment, remember you are there for a purpose—keep your commitment, guard your faith, and let your longing for heaven keep you steadfast. [41:05]

1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV)
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Reflection: Where do you feel most out of place as a Christian? How can you intentionally shine God’s light and remain faithful in that environment this week?

Day 4: The Journey of Faith: Focusing on Jesus from Start to Finish

The Christian life is not just about beginning or ending well, but faithfully walking the journey in between, keeping our focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Distractions and difficulties will come, but we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses and encouraged to throw off anything that hinders our walk. In the “in between,” we are called to live out our faith with perseverance, submitting to God and resisting the enemy, knowing that the Holy Spirit walks with us every step of the way. [10:12]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: What is one distraction or “weight” that is hindering your focus on Jesus right now? What practical step can you take today to lay it aside and fix your eyes on Him?

Day 5: The Mission: Evangelism and Discipleship for God’s Glory

Jesus calls every believer to participate in the Great Commission—sharing the gospel with the unconverted and then walking with new believers in discipleship, teaching them to obey all He has commanded. Our mission is not just to bring people to faith, but to help them grow, and this requires dedication, humility, and a willingness to serve. As we go into the world, let us remember that our purpose is to glorify God in all we do, making disciples and trusting that He is with us always. [05:17]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Reflection: Who is one person in your life who needs to hear the gospel or be encouraged in their walk with Christ? How can you intentionally reach out to them this week?

Sermon Summary

Psalm 120 reminds us that the journey of faith is not just about the moment we first believe or the day we finish the race, but the challenging walk in between. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, but it is in the “in between”—the daily walk—where we are called to focus, to persevere, and to live out our faith. This walk is not easy; it is filled with distractions, distress, and the constant pull of the world around us. Even the most faithful, like David—a man after God’s own heart—experienced distress and openly cried out to God. This is not a sign of weakness, but of honesty and dependence on the Lord.

Distress comes in many forms, not just in times of trouble or need, but also when our focus on God is disturbed. Sometimes, the greatest distress is spiritual distraction, when our hearts are not aligned with God even if our circumstances seem fine. The psalmist teaches us to come clean before God, to cry out from the heart, and to seek deliverance not only from external troubles but also from the deceitfulness within—especially the deceitful tongue. Our words have power; they can bless or curse, bring life or death. We are called to dedicate even our speech to the Lord, recognizing that every word will be accounted for.

Living in a world that is often hostile to faith, like Meshech and Kedar, can make us feel out of place. If God has placed us in such environments, it is for a mission, but if we have chosen to dwell there, we must reconsider and seek God’s direction. As believers, we should expect to feel uncomfortable in the world’s ways; our true home and longing is for God’s presence. The encouragement is to keep our commitment, guard our faith, and let our longing for heaven keep us steadfast.

In all things, the answer is Jesus. Whether in distress, in need, or in the midst of blessing, we are invited to cry out to Him, to speak His name over our lives, our families, our church, and our world. The Lord hears the cries of His people, transforms distress into peace, and calls us to walk faithfully, supported by the community of believers and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways

1. The most challenging part of the Christian life is not the beginning or the end, but the daily walk in between. This is where focus, perseverance, and intentional living are required. Jesus authors and completes our faith, but we are responsible for walking it out, resisting distractions, and keeping our eyes on Him. [09:44]
2. Distress is not limited to external problems or crises; it can also be the subtle loss of focus on God. Even when life seems fine outwardly, spiritual distraction is a form of distress that can be more dangerous than obvious troubles. We must come clean before God, acknowledging our need for His help in every season. [23:03]
3. The power of the tongue is profound; it can bless or curse, build up or destroy. True dedication to God includes surrendering our speech, recognizing that every word matters and will be accounted for. We must seek deliverance from deceitful speech and strive to use our words for God’s glory, not just in public worship but in every interaction. [31:51]
4. Living among those who do not share our faith can be uncomfortable and even sorrowful, but it is also an opportunity for mission if God has placed us there. However, if we have chosen to dwell in spiritually hostile environments, we must be willing to leave and not look back. Our sense of discomfort in the world is a sign of our new identity in Christ and our longing for our true home. [41:05]
5. In every situation—distress, need, or abundance—the answer is to cry out to Jesus. There is no substitute for a heart poured out before God; He hears, He transforms, and He brings peace. Speaking the name of Jesus over our lives, our families, our church, and our world is both our privilege and our calling, and it is in this dependence that we find true strength and hope. [49:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Opening Praise and Scripture Reading
[01:01] - Introduction to Psalm 120
[03:02] - The Great Commission: Evangelism and Discipleship
[09:22] - The Challenge of the “In Between” Walk
[11:46] - The Call to Focus and Community Encouragement
[14:38] - Distress and Crying Out to God
[18:54] - The Power of Humble, Heartfelt Prayer
[23:27] - Defining Distress: Distraction and Spiritual Honesty
[27:38] - Deliverance from Lying Lips and Deceitful Tongue
[31:51] - The Power and Dedication of Our Words
[38:21] - Living Among the Unbelieving: Meshech and Kedar
[42:39] - Feeling Out of Place in the World
[45:49] - Guarding Faith and Longing for Heaven
[47:40] - Proclaiming the Name of Jesus
[55:30] - Speaking Jesus Over the Church, Nations, and Families
[59:19] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[66:04] - Birthday Blessing and Thanksgiving
[74:24] - Words of Encouragement and Appreciation
[80:00] - Honoring Helpers and Final Prayers
[83:33] - Dismissal and Fellowship Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 120 (ESV) — > 1 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.
> 2 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
> 3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?
> 4 A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!
> 5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
> 6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace.
> 7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 120, what specific troubles does the psalmist mention, and how does he respond to them? ([01:01])
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the most difficult part of the Christian life: the beginning, the end, or the “in between”? Why? ([09:44])
What does the psalmist ask God to deliver him from, and why is this significant? ([27:38])
How does the psalmist describe his experience living among the people of Meshech and Kedar? ([38:21])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that even David, “a man after God’s own heart,” experienced distress and cried out to God. What does this suggest about the nature of distress in the Christian life? ([15:40])
The pastor mentions that distress is not always about external problems, but can also be about spiritual distraction. Why might spiritual distraction be even more dangerous than obvious troubles? ([23:03])
The psalmist prays for deliverance from “lying lips” and a “deceitful tongue.” According to the sermon, what is the deeper meaning of deceitful speech, and why is it important to surrender our words to God? ([31:51])
The sermon talks about feeling uncomfortable in the world, like living in Meshech and Kedar. What does this discomfort reveal about our identity and calling as believers? ([42:39])

Application Questions

The sermon teaches that the “in between” walk of faith is the hardest part. What is one area of your daily life where you find it difficult to stay focused on Jesus? What practical step could you take this week to keep your eyes on Him? ([11:02])
The pastor says that distress can come from spiritual distraction, not just from problems. Is there something in your life right now that is distracting you from God, even if everything else seems fine? How can you bring this honestly before God in prayer? ([23:03])
The psalmist asks for deliverance from deceitful speech. Are there situations where you struggle with your words—maybe gossip, criticism, or negativity? What is one way you can dedicate your speech to God this week? ([31:51])
The sermon challenges us to “come clean” before God, not pretending we have it all together. Is there an area where you need to be more honest with God or with others about your struggles? ([24:38])
The pastor says that living among those who don’t share our faith can feel uncomfortable, but it can also be a mission if God has placed us there. Is there a place (work, school, family, neighborhood) where you feel out of place as a Christian? How might God want to use you there? ([41:05])
The sermon encourages us to speak the name of Jesus over our lives, families, church, and world. What is one specific situation or person you want to pray for by speaking the name of Jesus this week? ([55:30])
The pastor reminds us that we are not meant to walk alone, but to be supported by the community of believers. How can you encourage someone in your small group or church this week who might be struggling in their “in between” walk? ([12:42])

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