Psalms: Window to Our Souls, Part 2Sample

Psalm 120 is the first song of ascents, a collection of 15 Psalms that make up a songbook the Hebrews sang as they made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem each year. It's not a happy beginning, as the distressed psalmist cries out that he is being deceived as he lives in foreign lands, "dwelling among those who hate peace". And yet, it is this acknowledgement of his pain and alienation that propels the writer to begin his spiritual journey, crying out to God for deliverance. It was this same recognition of their need for the Lord that set the tone for the pilgrims in their journey to the Holy City.

We also begin our discipleship journey when we acknowledge the ways the world has lied to and disappointed us. When we see ourselves as sojourners unable to save ourselves from the violence of the world's ways, and choose to instead follow God's ways, that repentance is the catalyst to the lifelong road toward Christ.

Cry out to the Lord for His deliverance from the deceitful tongues you may be experiencing in your life. This could be the lie of self-sufficiency, security in wealth, trust in worldly powers, idolatry of family or friends, or something else. If you feel God leading you toward awareness of a lie you're still holding onto, take time to verbalize it and express it to Him.