Daily Worship

Long obedience in the same direction

Albert Bogle March 17, 2017 0 1

Psalm 121

1-2 I look up to the mountains;
    does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

3-4 He won’t let you stumble,
    your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s
    Guardian will never doze or sleep.

5-6 God’s your Guardian,
    right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
    sheltering you from moonstroke.

7-8 God guards you from every evil,
    he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
    he guards you now, he guards you always.

Today we turn to Ps121. It’s an interesting Psalm to look at in the light of the temptation narratives. The writer of the psalm seeks to remind us of the majesty and power of God. When we look up at the mountains although they are so often an inspirational parts of creation, our true strength and protection comes from the one who created the mountains.  

The psalmist seeks to remind us regardless what happens in life God is in control.  We may feel we are in a dark place, we may be estranged from friends or church, or family, but we are never alone. I like the personal way the writer of the psalm talks about God, when he says, the Lord himself is your keeper. Even if I stumble and fall in the dark, the Lord will turn the failure into a positive. If I stumble I will be able to get up again because God is with me.

I may be my brother’s keeper but here in the Psalm I have to take heart. God is my keeper. The implication is that we need not fear the past the present or the future. The psalm ends with this amazing affirmation, that the Lord keeps watch over us not just for a lifetime but forever. 

Whatever it is that you are going through it will pass. Don’t be discouraged, you are a forever person.

 

Lord,

Thank you 

For looking out for me

It helps me to know you are always there

Even now as I say this prayer

It’s as though you surround me

You are at my side

You are at my back

You go before me

You stand with me

 

And when I’m disappointed with myself

And with others

When I don’t know 

where to go

Or how to pray

Or what next to do

You make space 

For weary burdened people like me

To come close to you

 

Lord,

Give me rest today 

From my anxious thoughts

Turn my feet to walk in your will

Give me the tenacity

To believe

To know where I belong

To turn to home

And continue

My long obedience in the same direction