Jack Williams

Context

Psalter is the prayer book of the Bible.

Ps. 121. A psalm of ascents. Going up to Jerusalem to worship. A celebratory occasion — going to the place where God actually dwells.

Text

Psalm 121 ESV

A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Exegesis

Ps. 121 a journeying psalm.

I lift up my eyes to the hills…a destination.

To God the maker of heaven and earth…to a relationship. To the all-powerful, saving God.

Known to Israel. As a rescuer and a protector.

He keeps Israel among all the hostile nations. He does not slumber or sleep. Has never failed his people.

Known on a personal level too.

He will not let “Your” foot be moved. He will be your shad, your shield against evil. He will keep you going into the temple and out.

A song of deep spiritual affirmation.

God is good, God is to be trusted. God has rescued. God will always guard, guide and rescue and keep. In this life and forevermore.

As the people sang this song they embodied yet again the ideals of faith and being faithful to others. That is when faith becomes real. When what we believe about God begins to shape who we are.

This is what we see in Jack.

Interpretation

His faith and his life matched.

Jack’s life showed the same kind of present, active, helping, rescuing character that the psalmist described about God.

Coast Guard. Semper Paratus — always ready. Always ready to seek and save. He was “there” for people in need of rescue. They would say “I lift up my eyes over the waves, from whence cometh my help…” Jack and the CG.

Postal Service. In digital age hard to appreciate the value of postal service. Main way of communication. Had to be physically delivered. People waited, hoped that nothing would interfere with news from their business, from their loved one, friend, family. “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of the appointed rounds.” The country is not shut down as long as the Postal Service is running!

Church. #1 description: he was there. Rain or shine. Here locally or on mission. For others. choir. Mission. property.

When we see the character of God in someone (as we do in Jack), we know that they are close to God…journeying closer to God.

Jack knew the practical protection and leading of God in his life. How could he not after 87 years of faith-walking!

He also knew the destination. “I lift my eyes up…to where MY help comes from!”

Now he has gone to that destination. The true temple in heaven.

The Lord is keeping his life forevermore. Keeping him from evil. from suffering. from distress of any all kinds. He has served, now he worships.

Application

Now Jack is not with us.

God is with us.

We continue our journey of faith.

We look to the ONEd from whence our help comes. From God. The maker of all.

We know him in this church…because of Jack and many of us like him. Putting into practice our faith. Letting God’s character shape our own.

We look forward to being with the One and with Jack and with all who have completed the rounds.