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Sermon: God Your Help
Bible Passage: Psalm 121
- The first person, young and inexperienced, is about to start a journey
- Or he is in the middle of his journey most likely to Jerusalem
- He probably is going to be alone in this journey that involves travel day and night
- The terrain of his journey is filled with significant amount of difficulties
- Steep paths, ravines, gorges
- Caves where animals take shelter
- Potentially, the place was filled with bandits and robbers
- The statement “I look up to the mountain” expresses his desire/dream, but at the same time he seems to be aware of the challenges (verse 1)
- נשׂא עינים “lift up my eyes” expresses his longing toward the place (cf. Gen 39:7; Ezek 18:8, 12; Psalm 123)
- He seems to be filled with fear and anxiety
- Probably, he was either not going to undertake the journey or quitting his journey halfway
- There is a pause between the first statement (1a) and the question (1b)
- Out of his fear and anxiety, he asks an important question
- “Where is my help going to come from?” (verse 1)
- Is he frightened that he was going to be alone?
- Is he doubtful that he could make this journey himself?
- He has a desire, but reality does not seem to favor him!
- To the anxious-psalmist’s question, four answers emerge—one from the young, inexperienced and three from more experienced person
- God the Helper (verses 1-2)
- God the always-wakeful watchman (verses 3-4)
- God the protective umbrella (verses 5-6)
- God the perpetual companion (verses 7-8)
- All four answers are relevant to accomplish his dream
- Therefore, the second person in the psalm is encouraging the anxious first person to undertake the journey, not to give up his dream or not to quit halfway
- He seems to be saying, “You need a divine companion for your journey; don’t go alone”
- Lessons from Psalm 121
- One needs to have godly dreams and life-purposes that can be beyond one’s immediate ability and capacity
- One needs to have a godly encourager or a mentor, who will not stifle one’s quests but provide him/her with godly counsel
- The pilgrim’s journey need not be based on the conditions on ground, but it needs to be conditioned by the pilgrim’s relationship with the Lord
- The situation in ground must not stop you from pursuing your godly dreams; there may be a delay due to situations like what we have now
- This is the time to recalibrate in prayer, reading and applying Scripture correctly, and fellowshipping with people who will give godly guidance
I am with you always, to the end of the age
Take Away:
Ensure God goes with you