Untitled Sermon (5)

Oh to Be Kept by Him!

Psalm 121 is

is a part of the pilgrimage psalms intended to be sung during pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Pss 120–134; see note on 120:title). This individual psalm of confidence (a psalm that faithfully expresses trust in Yahweh) presents a series of statements of trust in Yahweh’s protection and help. The psalm opens with a personal question-and-answer segment that establishes that the psalmist’s help comes from Yahweh Himself (vv. 1–2). The psalmist then addresses his audience as he explores the different ways that Yahweh guards His people. First, he emphasizes that Yahweh never gets tired, but is always alert and vigilant in protecting His people (vv. 3–4). He then shows that Yahweh’s protection covers His people at all times, guarding them from danger, day and night (vv. 5–6). He concludes by asserting that Yahweh’s protection accompanies them in all movements of their daily life (vv. 7–8).

This Pslam Serves as a back drop to of a pilgrimage for it is concerned with the uncertainties on would face n such a journey. We all are in life journey! I remember when I used not know what to do how to do But oh to BE kept by HIm!! since the I gave my life to Christ I know now to Look to the Hills! s. We dont know whatthis Pslam moves from a cry for help to to the promise of Gods Protection.

'Pilgrimage' is often used to describe an individual's journey through life, sometimes as a general description of personal growth and exploration,sometimes, as in Christianity, outlining a particular spiritual focus or pathway which it is believed will lead to encounter with God 1{A Song of degrees.} I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

the subtitle of this psalms reads, “A song of degrees.” The English word “degrees” was translated from the Hebrew word “MA’ALAH,” and this Hebrew word means “elevation

” The Message translated this as “A pilgrim song.” As I think of this it reminds me of the journey that most of the Pilgrams of our History they had songs to that they sang on their journey!

Children, We All Shall Be Free Berea Songs of Slavery and Emancipation Ensemble · My Father, How Long Swing Low Sweet Chariot

Wade in the Water

Steal Away

Go Down Moses

Nobody knows

Sometimes I feel like a motherless Child ( Freedom Richie Haven?)

Follow the Drinking Gourd

As we study this Pslam we understand the Journey of this Pilgramage to a higher place! most commentaries list this as a song that was sung by those traveling to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was built on a series of mountains, or hills, and the pilgrims were directing their attention and prayers to the temple located on Mount Zion. This is not saying that there is some special presence of God in the hills. This is a reference to the temple at Jerusalem where there was a special presence of God (2 Chronicles 7). Today we are the temple of the living God and don’t have to direct our prayers toward a special place. The Lord is always with us (Hebrews 13:5), and we direct our prayers directly toward Him. et your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

An imprecise citation of Gen 28:15; Deut 31:6, 8; or Josh 1:5. Each of these ot contexts provide hope in the face of uncertainty. This message is particularly relevant to the initial recipients of Hebrews, who were facing adversity and persecution

nd, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

As I read that TExt I’m warm reminded of Harriet Tubman! The Slave owners were scared of Her! One of the them even said I can deal with your face i can deal with your presence BUT I CANT STAND IT WHEN YOU PRAY! THE LORD WOULD SHOW HER WHERE TROBLE WAS AND WHICH WAY SHE SHULD TAKE DURING HER PILGRAMAGE HE WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU! YOU JUST JUST LIKE HARRIET NEED TO BE CONFIDENT THAT HES WITH YOU! OH TO BE KEPT BY JESUS !!

Pslam 121:3

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Because God is my source of protection, I can sleep soundly (Psalms 4:8). 8  I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: For thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

He will be up all night anyway (Psalms 121:4). There is no reason for me to stay awake too. Oh to be kept by Him !

4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep

.5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. It is amazing that the Lord God Almighty takes such interest in and care of us (Psalms 8:3-4). But that’s how much the Lord loves us (Isaiah 49:15-16). Ask a question

Psalm 8:4–9 (KJV 1900): 4  What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

And the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5  For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels,

And hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6  Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands;

Thou hast put all things under his feet:

7  All sheep and oxen,

Yea, and the beasts of the field;

8  The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea,

And whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

9  O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

ISIAH 49

5  Can a woman forget her sucking child,

That she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?

Yea, they may forget,

Yet will I not forget thee.

16  Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;

Thy walls are continually before me.

6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by nig ht.Psalm 121:6 (FSB): The sun shall not smite thee by day In the harsh climate of the ancient Near East, shade from the heat could be the difference between life and death. The psalmist transforms this reality into an image of total protection.

the moon by night The psalmist envisions day-and-night protection. Unlike many gods of the ancient Near East who were believed to descend to the underworld at night, Yahweh is constantly available and vigilant

7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

This is a very broad statement! Of course, this has qualifications. The devil tried to tempt Jesus with a similar promise that the Lord would protect Him so that He wouldn’t dash His foot against a stone (Matthew 4:5-6 and Luke 4:9-11). But that didn’t mean Jesus could tempt the Lord (Matthew 4:7 and Luke 4:12). This protection was specifically for those going up to Jerusalem to worship (see my notes at Psalms 121:1-2) and applies to all of us when we are seeking the Lord. But when we are doing our own thing, there are consequences.

8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

What a great promise! I receive it. We are blessed coming in and going out (Deuteronom y 28:6).6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

So as we see In a world that seems to have gone crazy the BEst place to be is in the Jesus! Many have strayed away from the ath because of the fisicatudesm of life But I beg you to come Back! Life has a way of lifing and many of us have be distracted ! But we must remember that God is With us ! Come what m ay God is With us! ,Psalm 46:1–5 (KJV 1900): God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

2  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4  There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:

God shall help her, and that right early.

Psalm 46:10–11 (KJV 1900): Be still, and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11  The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.n SO Stay strong ! Becasue your Kpet by HIM!

Your Pilgramage may have you wanting to let Go It may make you feel like you can’t take life anymore ! Problems may have you bound!

I almost let go I felt like I couldn't take life anymore My problems had me bound Depression weighed me down

But God held me close So I wouldn't let go God's mercy kept me So I wouldn't let go

I almost gave up I was right at the edge of a breakthrough But I couldn't see it

The devil really had me But Jesus came and grab me And He held me close, so I wouldn't let go God's mercy kept me so I wouldn't let go

So I'm here today because God kept me / I'm alive today only because of His grace Oh, He kept me, God kept me, He kept me So I wouldn't let go

I almost let go I felt like I couldn't take life anymore My problems had me bound Depression weighed me down

But God held me close So I wouldn't let go God's mercy kept me So I wouldn't let go

So I'm here today because God kept me I'm alive today only because of His grace Oh, He kept me, God kept me He kept me, God kept me He kept me, God kept me, He kept me God kept me, He kept me So I wouldn't let go He kept me, God kept me, He kept me God kept me, He kept me