“Who is looking after you?” - Psalm 121, Sermon for the Watford church of Christ
Season 1, Mar 29, 2020, 05:01 PM
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“Who is looking after you?” - Psalm 121
1. Who is looking after us? vv1-2
Fear
- Bandits in the hills
False
- Pagan temples, altars and shrines were on the hills - false hope
Fix
- God is available to help, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)
- He is our ‘helper’ or ‘guardian’, ‘the one who guards’ 8 times in this Psalm.
- The Psalmist’s thinking quickly jumps from the hills to what lies beyond them - the Maker of the universe.
- Setting our hearts & minds will help us keep the right perspective during the day,
- Col. 3:1
- 2Cor. 4:18
- Heb. 3:1
- Heb. 12:2
2. What is he like? vv3-4
- Note move from “my” to “your” - when we are assured of God’s help we can point others to that helper.
- ‘watches over’ = Heb ‘Shamar’, The basic idea of the root is “to exercise great care over.” ... “take care of,” “guard.”
Awake
- Mother watching over a vulnerable child - staying awake to protect
- Pagan gods needed waking (1 King 18:27), but not Israel’s God.
Attentive
- Guarding against intruders, etc., such as the cherubim guarding the way to the tree of life in Gen 3:24.
- Better than a burglar alarm. Satan steps back when he knows God is home!
Personal
- God is YHWH five times in this little Psalm.
- And his protection is personal - all the ’you’s’ are singular.
- “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV11)
- We are to help ‘guard’ one another in Christ. Be in touch! Be like God!
3. What will he do for me? vv5-6
- Shade you (protection) comprehensively
- God is our constant companion and helper in real or imaginary dangers.
Times when it gets hot
- Stressed? Does not need to become crippling anxiety.
- Stepping into the shade helps you think more clearly. That’s what a QT is for.
Times when it gets scary
- It was thought that too much exposure to the moon could cause illness i.e. ‘lunacy’.
- We are all scared by things. How do we process that fear, and overcome it?
- That’s what a QT is for.
- Shade = Heb. ‘tzel’, ‘shadow’, "Yahweh is the shade or the source of protection for his people The Psalmist prays that God may hide him under “the shadow of his wings” (Ps 17:8; cf. Ps 36:7; Ps 91:1).
- Remember to step into the shade when it gets too hot or too scary.
Conclusion vv7-8
- Our situation is bearable because it is not the final destination.
- God is doing good even at this time.
- What’s been better since this Covid 19 crisis began?
- Romans 8:35–39
- Faith is taking hold of this and moving into confusion without being controlled by fear
- Because we know, by faith, God will make something good from it
- That is why Jesus went to the cross
- He, by faith, looked forward to it with joy
- Not so much the cross, but it’s outcome
- ““I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 NIV11)
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John