- Ps 121
- are you weary? are you tired?
- we require God’s strength
- this is a traveller’s hymn, a summary of our human life
4 instructions to find your help in the Lord so you can have confidence:
- Find your help in the Lord – Your Maker (v1-2)
- Ps of Ascents: meant to be read and meditated upon during pilgrimage to Jerusalem
- Jerusalem is on top of a hill therefore “ascension”
- possible danger ahead on the hills
- “from where does my help come?” the LORD
- a rhetorical question to encourage and comfort own soul
- reminds us that our help comes from the I AM; the one who promised us help; the Maker; the one who placed the stars in the sky; the Infinite
- the Lord made me, so He can help me (Ps 139)
- we know the answer to the question, but there is disconnect between what we actually select as our help
- we need to instruct ourselves and remind orally our help comes from Lord
- Find your help with in the Lord – Your beholder (v3-4)
- the Lord is always beholding us
- reminder that our feet won’t be moved
- encouraging own soul; preaching truth to self
- “keep” appears constantly between v2-6
- watch over, protect, take special care of, shepherds watching over flock
- the watching over of God of His people
- do you remind yourself of that task?
- watch over, protect, take special care of, shepherds watching over flock
- 1 Pet; the overseer of your soul
- He never ceases watching over you; He doesn’t sleep
- what if it feels like my feet are slipping?
- there is no promise you won’t experience trials or hardship BUT the Lord has promised He will watch over you and prevent you from utter downfall
- Find your help in the Lord – Your protector (v5-6)
- v5-6; protector; “the Lord your shade”
- if your right hand is protected, you are OK
- the pilgrimage described is multi-day
- sun & moon stand for dangers of day and night, but God’s protection is everlasting
- either day or night, the Lord will be your help in trouble
- How God extends relief to us:
- through His truth; writes about God by His word
- sends help and protection through inner peace
- through prater and drawing near to God
- through companionship; by Spirit (to lead and guide us)
- by meaningful fellowship with one another
- through worship; praise in song
- regardless of time of day, you will be protected
- Find your help in the Lord – Your deliverer (v7-8)
- the promise to preserve your life/soul if you are faithful
- no injury or evil will overcome you and separate you from God’s purpose for you
- God’s people experience trials and hard times but He holds you in His Hand leading you to better promises
- our idea of being kept and God’s meaning are often different
- “let the physical go to ruin, but preserve the soul”
- “forevermore”; His help grounded in promise of future
- Jacob: “the Lord has been my shepherd all my life long”
- Jesus our deliverer needs to be trusted fully as our Lord