August 31, 2025
Psalms of Ascent
Let Him Have It!
Psalm 129 is a bit of a nasty Psalm! The writer has been oppressed and doesn’t hold back in expressing what that feels like. You might think being a believer means your troubles disappear, but that has never been the case. The good news is that God is neither blind nor indifferent to our struggles. In time (often not as fast as we want), God always intervenes. There’s even hope for the oppressor in this Psalm! Good news travels.
Songs for this week: Spotify
Questions:
Psalm 129
- Recall a recent experience of hardship. What was it like? How did you navigate that experience—emotionally, relationally, or prayerfully?
- Israel experienced God’s intervention—His “cutting loose the cords”—many times. Recall some of those stories together. Have you experienced God setting you free from something—an addiction, a negative attitude, or a toxic relationship? Share your story.
- “May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.” This Psalm records lots of honest and strong emotions! How do you deal with your strong emotions? Do you blurt them out, bury them, or process them in another way?
- Jesus had some clear teachings about how to treat our enemies. How are you practically living that out with the difficult people in your life right now?
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Recent Sermons
Luke 1:26-38 - This Christmas, discover how God is on the move—sending Gabriel to Mary in Nazareth and inviting ordinary people into the greatest story ever told. Explore Mary’s costly yet courageous “yes” and what it reveals about the Christian life.
Luke 1:5-17 - The first Christmas bursts to life with promise and purpose—God sets His plan in motion, beginning in Jerusalem with an elderly priest and a miraculous birth announcement. Excitement is rising, and the story is just beginning.
Mark 3:32-35 - Discover why community is the most essential practice for following Jesus. This week’s passage highlights the kind of people we’re called to walk with—those who do the will of God.
Jn. 15:5-17 - Discover how staying connected to Jesus—the true vine—produces lasting spiritual fruit. Learn how a simple Rule of Life, shaped by practices like prayer, Scripture, sabbath, solitude, community, and service, helps us remain rooted in Him.
Mark 2:17 - Jesus came to call sinners—those who know they miss the mark. Following him begins with humility and self-awareness, not perfection.
Matthew 26:36-39 - Christian practices like prayer and Sabbath quiet the noise so we can hear God’s voice and face the deeper emotions He invites us to heal.
