Phil Inglis - October 20, 2019
Psalm 128
“This is the life!” When was the last time you said this to yourself? Maybe it’s not a catchphrase you use, but I’m sure you know the feeling. A few weeks ago Rebecca and I went on a 4 day hike in southern Tasmania. The first two days were pretty easy, but on the third day we headed all the way out along the Peninsula and then all the way back past our previous hut, and on to the next hut. It was a total of 19km, more than we had walked on the previous two days combined! When I got to the hut I dumped my pack on my bed, took off my boots, peeled off my socks, filled my mug with coffee and fell into a comfy chair. I was exhausted. My legs were sore, my back ached, my feet throbbed, I was hungry and I was tired, but as I sat there, admiring a spectacular view, I felt completely satisfied and content. I sighed and said, ‘this is the life.’ This week we are taking a closer look at an ancient hymn known to us as Psalm 128. Every year pilgrims from all over Israel would travel to Jerusalem for passover and other celebrations. For some worshippers the journey took 4 or 5 days and this hymn is one the pilgrims would sing as they walked. It contains such encouraging words, reminding them, and us, that no matter how tough it might seem, no matter how long you’ve travelled, no matter how steep the road seems, no matter how disheartened you may feel, there will be a time when you arrive. There will be a time when you can take your boots off, there will be a time when you can sit and relax in the presence of God and can say, “Ah, this is the life.”
Scripture References: Psalms 128:1-6
From Series: "Happy Trails"
A four part series on the psalms of ascent, sometimes known as the pilgrim psalms. These were psalms sung by people on their way to the temple in Jerusalem for special feast days.
