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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
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.
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