A text – Psalm 121
121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills– from where will my help come?
121:2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
121:3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
121:4 He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
121:5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
121:6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
121:7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
121:8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
A reflection:
A psalm of help and protection.
What kind of protection is the believer in this psalm given? Help, unshakeable footing, shade, unfailing protection from evil and death, no matter what time of day or night, as we come and as we go.
I feel as though some advertisers of all-weather tires or home security systems or car warrantees would just love to be able to make the claims this psalmist makes. As a grandmother I want this kind of protection for my grandson and all those I hold dear. It helps me to be fearless and take risks knowing I and those I love best have someone vigilant watching over them all the time.
Nothing to fear.
How does the old question go? If you knew you were bound to succeed, what would you try next? What would you risk? What would you set as a goal? Psalm 121 tells us to boldly go, because we have someone just waiting to help and to protect us. How bold might we be today?
A prayer:
Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for being there to protect and care for all your children. Help us to be bold so that we undertake the work you have given us to do. Amen.
Short Dwellings in the Word by Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison 