Lift up your Eyes: Finding Strength in God's Watchful Care

Introduction (2 minutes):

Have you ever felt overwhelmed and uncertain about everything going on in your life?

Story- I remember a few years back when We had a week that seemed like the bad news never ended.

We got a call from my sister in law that my brother fell in a store and they thought he had a heart attack

Then the next day my mom Got in a car accident.

My Client that we thought was going to be a big check got arrested for fraud

Amy and I were laying in bed and I looked at amy and said “i dont think I could handle one more bad thing happening in my life, and As I said those words I reached over to lay my new cell phone on my night stand where I always put it before going to sleep and as I let go We heard the splash of it landing in my cup of water and then preceded to sizzle as it was totally destroyed.

Sometimes we just have some really bad moments in our lives that seem to take every ounce of energy and strength from our bodies.

Tonight I want us to look at a Psalm that should bring us great comfort and encouragement when life seems overwhelming.

Reading Psalm 121

Psalm 121 (ESV)

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Tonight I want us to take just a couple of minutes before we pray and look at what this psalm means for us today,

Verse 1-2:

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Why do you think The author says i lift up my eyes to the Mountains?

Maybe because they remind him of the majesty of God! The greatness of who God is.

“ I lift up my eyes to the mountains and I see the greatness of Gods Creation And I am reminded of where my help comes from. My help comes from the one who made these mountains, From the one who made all things in heaven and on earth. “

When was a time in your life where you looked for Help? and where did you look?

The author int e first two verses tells us where to look and now in verses 3- 4He tells us why to look there

Verses 3-4:

"He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."

What does it mean that He will not let your foot slip?

What does it mean for you that He who watches over you will not ever sleep?

he is always wathcing,

His attention is always on us

His care never waivers

He sees all of our needs and hurts

When life seems overwhelming We can be reassured that God who is watching over our lives is still in control, He didn't miss something, He didn't make a mistake,

Verses 5-6:

"The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night."

In these verses, the psalmist continues to emphasize the theme of God's protective care.

"The Lord watches over you":

This phrase underscores the idea that God is actively attentive to your well-being.

Just as a caring guardian keeps a watchful eye on someone they care about, the Lord is constantly aware of your situation, needs, and challenges.

This simple phrase highlights God's loving and vigilant nature.

"The Lord is your shade at your right hand":

The imagery of shade is used metaphorically here.

Just as shade provides relief from the scorching sun, God provides spiritual and emotional relief during difficult times.

"At your right hand"

This phrase symbolizes God's immediate presence and support.

In ancient times, the right hand was associated with strength and protection. This verse communicates that God is not distant but right beside you, offering comfort and strength.

In verse 6 we read -

"The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night":

Again the psalmist reinforces the idea of God's protection.

It's a poetic way of saying that God shields you from harm both during the day and at night. There is no time that you are outside of the protection from God

The assurance here is that God's watchful care is constant, regardless of the time or circumstances.

these 2 verses convey a sense of God's unwavering presence and protection.

They assure us that God's care is not limited by time or situation – whether we're facing the glaring challenges of the day or the uncertainties that come with the night, God's presence is like a comforting shade and a shield from harm.

Moving on...

Verses 7-8:

"The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

These verses continue to build upon the theme of God's protective care and provide even more reassurance for those who are God’s Children

"The Lord will keep you from all harm":

What do you think is meant by harm?

"all harm" doesn't necessarily mean that we will never face challenges or difficulties. Instead, it signifies that God will safeguard us from ultimate harm, ensuring that His purposes for our lives are fulfilled and that we are ultimately secure in His care.

"He will watch over your life":

AgainThis reiterates the concept of God's watchful care.

The word "life" here I believe, encompasses not only our physical existence but also our well-being, our spiritual walk, and our overall experiences. It encompasses every aspect of our existence.

The point is simple_ the God who never sleeps nor ever turns away is watching over every part of your existence.

"The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore":

This closing statement emphasizes the breadth and depth of God's care.

"Coming and going" refers to the entirety of our lives, encompassing our daily activities, decisions, and journeys. The phrase "both now and forevermore" highlights the eternal nature of God's care.

It assures us that God's watchful eye isn't limited by time – His protection and presence extend into eternity.

These last two verses convey the idea that God's protective care is comprehensive, encompassing every aspect of our lives.

They assure us that God is our faithful guardian, preserving us from ultimate harm and guiding us throughout our entire journey, both in this life and beyond.

TRANSITION: So what does this mean for us today.

Application

How does Psalm 121 resonate with your current life circumstances?

What specific challenges or uncertainties do you need to entrust to God's watchful care?

How can you actively remind yourself of God's constant presence and protection throughout your day?

As a bonus, you can suggest that participants take a small card or sticky note with them, jotting down a verse or phrase from Psalm 121 to carry as a reminder of God's watchful care throughout their day.