"The great escape", Psalm 124

Introduction

Many things God helps us escape from

• Metaphors here: 
  • Earthquake 
  • Flood - Peterson, p74
  • Beast of prey
  • Fowler
• He speaks from having experienced the worst - chased by Saul, Philistines (2 Sam 5). 
• This is no theoretical piece of poetry, but a recalling of experience.  

1. Bible Examples

QUESTION: Examples of people in the Bible who escaped

• Why do those stories resonate?

2. Personal Experience

QUESTION: What has God helped you escape from so far? 

• i.e. What might well have happened if you had not decided to follow the Jesus way?
• How does that make you feel about situations at the moment you need to ‘escape’ from?
• What things do you need help to escape from at the moment?

3. Future Hope

QUESTION: What helps us stay escaped?

1. Powerful God - this Psalm, “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.” (1 Corinthians 6:14), “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
2. Sober about weaknesses - 

• “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8–10)
• “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20)

1. Supportive and honest friends - “Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”” (Matthew 26:38)

Conclusion

• Celebration is the tone of this Psalm
• Gratitude for what God has already done 
  • Communion helps
• Words of “And can it be”

1. And can it be that I should gain

An int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain?

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

 

2. ’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!

Who can explore His strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

To sound the depths of love Divine!

’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

 

3. He left His Father’s throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace;

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free;

For, O my God, it found out me.

’Tis mercy all, immense and free;

For, O my God, it found out me.

 

4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

 

5. No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness Divine,

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

 

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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

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