A very good morning to you my precious friends

I would like to share some truths from Psalm 121 that give us hope for today.

Psalm 121 is a Psalm of Ascent. These ascent psalms were sung by those religious pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem for the various feasts. They are also called travel songs, or songs for the journey of life. I have never been to Jerusalem, but I am told it is an uphill hike and that the gradient is quite steep.  Many of us today believe we are at a point in time that we are on an uphill journey.

The psalms also lead us upward to God in our own personal walk with Him. They are “stepping stones” to God’s heart for our journey in life.

We all need help at times in life. The Beatles used to sing: “I get by with a little help from my friends.” Where do you go when you need help? Do you call on family? Friends? Dial 911?

It’s good to have a support system in place, but we need to look further than that. History and experience teach us that no safety plan, no insurance policy, no security system can keep you absolutely safe in this life. You can follow all the safety rules, take every precaution, exercise and eat well, and things can still go wrong.

Scripture teaches us that God helps those who seek His help. None of us are safe until we take refuge in God.

  • Verse 2 says "My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." He is All-powerful. God is a mountain mover and Creator of heaven and earth. He's with us, always. He breathes help and strength into our souls, into our day.
  • Verse 3 says, "He will not let your foot slip; He who watches over you will not slumber." He won't allow us to fall. We may find ourselves on slippery ground, or the path we're walking seems to be full of potholes and obstacles. But the God who knows all, knows our way. And even when we stumble, as our eyes are fixed on Him, He will keep our footsteps firm. For He watches over us and never sleeps or slumbers.
  • Verse 5 says, "The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand."  He keeps us, safe, in His care. He protects us like the shade protects us from the heat of the day. Why the "right hand?" Because it is known as the hand that works, so we can be assured that whatever He's given us to do in this life, His covering of protection rests over all of our work and efforts.
  • Verse 7 says "The Lord will keep you from all harm; He will keep your soul."  He protects us from "all evil," not some, but "all." It does not have the final say over our lives. Fear of death, disease, and hardship has lost its sting, for our lives are hidden with Christ in God. No matter who or what we're rubbing shoulders with each day, God's power is greater than whatever darkness we might face. For He is the soul-keeper and He holds all of our tomorrows.
  • Verse 8 says, "The Lord will watch over your coming and your going both now and forever." He watches over us, constantly, His eyes are towards us. He cannot look away from those He loves. He watches our coming and our going, and all in between. He watches over our family and children, even when we cannot see them. We do not have to worry, for He strongly supports those whose hearts are His.
  • 2 Chronicles 16 verse 9 reminds us, “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

Psalm 121 is a needed reminder that we are not on this journey alone.  While we may feel little is certain in these days we navigate allow me to close with one thing I know is certain: God was with us before this pandemic, God is with us now during this pandemic and God will be there with us after this pandemic. He is our Hope.

Let us pray

"Dear Father God, thank You that You are surely with us. Thank You that You watch over our coming and going, and that You neither slumber or sleep. Thank You for Your constant care, that You are our help and strength in the daily battles that we face. Thank You that You are our Protector and Defender against the schemes of the enemy and the evil that tries to overtake us. No weapon formed against us will prosper in this life, because You are always greater, and our lives are hidden in You Lord Jesus. We choose today to keep our eyes off our problems, and fixed solely on You. We choose to look up, for You alone are our Hope. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Much love from Maurice and Margaret