29th August 2023
He watches over you!
The Lord watches over you…
Psalm 121:5 (NIV)
I am seeking to memorise a new Psalm; Psalm 121, a short but sweet Psalm of encouragement. It is a Psalm of ascents, meaning that it begins low and climbs, like one does on a path to the hills. I believe the author begins with a time of longing for comfort and strength; the low point. He lifts his eyes toward the mountains, seeking relief from a higher power, for the help he seems to not be able to attain on his own, where is his help? Does he look for an army marching boldly his way? Does he look for a messenger to tell him all is well? Is his need physical, emotional, or spiritual? We do not know, but he still is in need of help.
He knows where his help comes from, and he looks to his maker for the only true help, all the help he will ever need. Where do we first look for help? I admit that I do not always look up first. Sometimes we feel our little needs are not worth God’s precious time. Our request may be a quick “Help Lord.” Sometimes when help comes quickly, and with ease, we tend to forget that it was the Lord who made this possible. David went through a lot of times of trouble, and he must have wondered just where his help was, but God was there. God was working in his favour. David did not give up and trusted in God’s goodness and love.
Oh, if only I could hear your voice, Lord. If only I could hear of what you are doing, your plans, of your timing. We are often given silence. It is hard to be patient. To trust. Yet, God declares, I am watching over you, (v. 5). He is doing more than just looking, he is caring for all our needs. Covering us with his presence as the shade covers over us. Declaring our protection from all things by the mention of the sun and the moon. Here again I am reminded of the phrase 24/7. I see this as protection from all dangers, day or night; whether we sleep unaware or are awake to the happenings around us.
He does tell us what he is doing. Saving his children, blessing us with his love. Forgiving us of all our trespasses. We just do not know all of the details. We raised sheep for a while. I was consumed with their care. I even had to check on them in the dark hours of the night when they were lambing. I provided their daily care, their protection, their health needs, their grooming; all of this came before my own needs. They did not have every detail of this care, but they trusted I would provide what they needed. They recognised and followed my voice. I need this trust in my maker. He says that he will provide my needs; he watches over me; he watches over you. I truly believe we come first in his life. He surely watches over us even in the dark hours of the night; both now and forever.
Prayer
Precious God, the maker of all we know and embrace, we thank you for hovering over us and watching over us; taking care of our every need. What comfort it gives us to know you are so nearby. You hold our lives in your hands, we are secure no matter what the world throws at us. No one can remove us from your loving care, we thank you God! In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Anne Gillam
About the writer:
Anne Gillam is a retired Pastor in Grace Communion International, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA.
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