The Steps of Conquest

1. “The Psalms of Ascent”
   1. The pilgrims going up to Jerusalem passed through dangers and difficulties three times a year.  They developed songs that reminded them of the faithfulness of God in adversity:  “In my distress, I called upon the Lord and He answered me” (Ps. 120:1)
   2. In times of trial and difficulty, we tend to become fearful.  We try to “hold on” to God.
   3. Man who wrapped himself in the rope and “swung free.”  WRAP YOURSELF IN THE PROMISES OF GOD.  HE IS HOLDING ON TO YOU, YOU ARE NOT DESPERATELY TRYING TO HOLD ON TO HIM.
2. “The Lord is my KEEPER” (PS. 121)
   1. “The Lord is your keeper…The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.”
   2. Jabez said, “Keep me from harm.”  We “dwell in the secret place of the most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”  Quote Psalm 91 ever day, believing that there will “no evil befall me or any PLAGUE come near my tent” (v. 10)
3. “The Lord is my PEACE” (PS. 122)
   1. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!  Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” (v. 6).
   2. Paul said, “The peace of God will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7)
   3. The MOMENT fear comes into you mind, stop right in your tracks and say, “God has not given me the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:6)
4. “My EYES are on the Lord” (Ps. 123)
   1. “To you I lift up my eyes, oh you who are enthroned in the heavens” (v. 1).
   2. Jehoshaphat was surrounded on three sides by his enemies.  He did not know what to do.  His only prayer was, “My eyes are on YOU.”
   3. KEEP LOOKING UPWARD.  Don’t listen to the gloom and doom reports and commentaries.
5. “The Lord is on MY SIDE” (Ps. 124)
   1. “If it had not been that the Lord was ON MY SIDE…” (v. 1). “My soul escaped like bird out of the snare of the trapper” (v. 7)
   2. IF GOD IS FOR YOU, WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU?  “The Lord is on my side, I will not fear” (Ps. 118:6)
   3. Testimony of being healed in Dallas
6. “I cannot be MOVED” (PS. 125)
   1. “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people. ” (v. 1-2)
   2. When you fear, you feel moved inside.  You feel insecure and panicked.  NOTHING WILL MOVE YOU because your trust is in God and God cannot be moved.  Regardless of what shakes, rocks, and rolls, you WILL NOT BE MOVED.
7. “My mouth is full of LAUGHTER” (PS. 126)
   1. “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy…” (v. 1-2)
   2. Keep your JOY.  We WILL come through this. Don’t get depressed.  Stay free, stay happy, “rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice” (Paul said those words in prison).
   3. John Lake and the bubonic plague:  “The law of the Spirit of life makes me free from the law of sin and death.”
8. “God gives me SLEEP” (PS. 127)
   1. “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. (v. 2)
   2. Slow down, don’t be filled with anxiety.  Be sure to get plenty of sleep, turn it over to the Lord.
   3. Papa sleeping during the hurricane:  “Where is your faith?”  Jesus sleeping during the storm.
9. “My family is SAFE” (PS. 128)
   1. “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;  your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord…”
   2. “Sprinkle the blood of Jesus over your family every night.  God set a division between Israel and Egypt and the death angel could not touch them.  Eat meals together and eat healthy.  Stay close to your family.  Gather around together every night for prayer and family devotions.  Share a promise.  Give God thanks for protecting your family.”
10. Invitation:
    1. What about you?  Jesus is the Passover Lamb.  His blood must be sprinkled over the door of your heart for protection against the deadly plague.
    2. Trust Him.  Receive Him.  Confess His Lordship over your life, your family, your future.
    3. Now, quote these phrases every day.  WRAP YOURSELF IN THE PROMISES OF GOD AND “SWING FREE!”
       1. “The Lord is my keeper”
       2. “The Lord is my peace”
       3. “My eyes are on the Lord”
       4. “The Lord is on my side”
       5. “I cannot be moved”
       6. “My mouth is full of laughter”
       7. “God gives me sleep”
       8. “My family is safe”