Lent Devotionals – Day 5
Fasting Challenge: Television & Movies
Scripture Reading: Psalms 121
Supplemental Readings: Psalm 120-134
Prayer Emphasis: Hope & Joy
“I lift
up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the Maker of
heaven and earth...”
Devotional Thought: This week we begin a new chapter of our
Lenten theme, “The Way of the Cross,” as we look at a different part of Jesus’
journey in “The Way to Jerusalem.” Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem was a turning point in His life and
ministry, but it was not a trip that was out of the ordinary for a Jew of His
day to make.
Psalms 120-134 are referred
to as the “Song of Ascents,” because they refer to the Psalms, which were sung
by Jewish pilgrims making the journey from their hometowns to the hills and
mountains surrounding Jerusalem. In the First Century, Jews living outside of
Jerusalem were expected to make this journey for the three feasts (Feast of
Tabernacles, Feast of Weeks, and Passover) commanded by God in Deuteronomy
16:16. Jesus was not from Jerusalem and
neither were His disciples, and so they at different times traveled to
Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts. In
fact, this last journey of Jesus to Jerusalem was for the specific purpose of
celebrating the Feast of Passover. More
than likely, these Psalms would have been on Jesus’ and His disciple’s lips as
they were ascending the hills of Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Passover
for the last time.
As we start our “Way to Jerusalem”
through our devotionals this week, let us begin by reading and praying one of
the same Psalms that Jesus would have on His “Way to Jerusalem.” After you finish reading and praying the one
provided for you below, please take the time to read and pray through the other
“Songs of Ascents” (Psalms 120-134).
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,the Maker
of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,nor
the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
