Psalm 121

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Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8 (NIV)

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

 

Devotion:

            In this brief Psalm we see the announcement of God’s provision for his people. The opening stanza declares that the psalmist is looking solely to God for help for help. The mountains here probably refer to Jerusalem where God was thought to dwell with his people. We should always look to God who dwells with us for assistance with all of our needs. In this time of year when we prepare for the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, let us look to God to prepare our hearts to give thanks for all he has done for us, and open our hearts to receive the gift of Immanuel.

            The Lord will not let his people slip as they climb toward their goal. God is constantly watching over us. Unlike humans God needs no sleep. He takes no naps, nor does he need any sleep of any kind. As humans we must stop and rest periodically. God gave us a sabbath to rest. He stopped creating on the seventh day and made it holy. Though he rested he never slept. He watches over those he has called to be his own constantly.

            Our God will protect us from all harm. Although we may be afflicted with various ills and ailments, God will always save our souls in the end. Regardless of what happens to these earthly bodies God will ultimately deliver us from anything that would afflict us. He will preserve us. We will be his treasured possession when we are resurrected on the last day.

            The psalmist repeats the word watches several times in this short Psalm. Each time it is about how God watches over us. In an age where many believe that God does not interfere with things on earth, the psalmist would beg to differ. He declares that God is constantly watching over us to help us in our daily lives. He will help us now and throughout eternity. We should be able to relax knowing that our eternal destiny is being superintended by our loving and merciful God.

Prayer:

            Lord thank you for watching over us. Help us to live before your face as faithful disciples. Glorify yourself in your loving care for your creation. May we glorify you each and every day from now until eternity. Help us to be faithful servants. Amen.

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