2. 1. One of the great idioms of the persistent pilgrim is “pick your pain.”

3. Psalm 129:1-2
“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.

4. 1. One of the great idioms of the persistent pilgrim is “pick your pain.”
2. Surrender always precedes commitment.

5. Psalm 129:3
Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.

6. 2. Surrender always precedes commitment.
3. In the deep wounds of my heart, I get to question the depth of my commitment.

7. Psalm 129:4
But the Lord is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

8. 3. In the deep wounds of my heart, I get to question the depth of my commitment.
4. My favorite words are always, “but the Lord”.

9. Psalm 129:5
May all who hate Zion
be turned back in shame.

10. 4. My favorite words are always, “but the Lord”.
5. With the enemy at the very gates of my life, God is at work, and that battle is His.

11. Psalm 129:6-7
May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow;
a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
nor one who gathers fill his arms.

12. 5. With the enemy at the very gates of my life, God is at work, and that battle is His.
6. Roof grass is a constant reminder that picking the wrong pain is fruitless.

13. Psalm 129:8
May those who pass by not say to them,
“The blessing of the Lord be on you;
we bless you in the name of the Lord.”

14. 6. Roof grass is a constant reminder that picking the wrong pain is fruitless.
7. Don’t be a registered approval addict.