God, Our Lighthouse

Introduction

.... The light from the lighthouse cut through the darkness and storms, warning ships of hidden dangers and guiding them safely to shore. Without a lighthouse, sailors could easily drift off course, crash against unseen rocks, or be lost in the storm.

The purpose of the lighthouse is clear: to watch over, to guide, and to protect. The lighthouse gives assurance to those out at sea. Our Psalm today is Psalm 121 as psalm that gave assurance to pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem. A Psalm that can give us assurance as we journey through our daily lives.

...God is our lighthouse.

Transition

Just as sailors lift their eyes toward the lighthouse the psalmist called the pilgrims and us to lift our eyes to the hills and know were our help comes from. A key message that we can pull form Psalm 121 is:

Central Message

As we journey through life we can have confidence that God is our ever-present help. He never sleeps, he is always watching, he is always on guard.

Transition

This assurance of God’s constant help isn’t just a truth for us today—it was also a truth for God’s people long ago. In fact, Psalm 121 was written for travelers making their way to Jerusalem.

I. God is our help (vv. 1-2)

Psalm 121 is a part of the pilgrimage psalms that include psalms 120-134. These psalms were intended to be sung during pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Psalm 121 presents a series of statements of trust in Gods help and protection. The psalm opens as a the psalmist is likely preparing to began his pilgrimage to Jerusalem. As he looks up at the mountains he utters the first lines of the Psalm.

Psalm 121:1–2 NIV

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

As the psalmist contemplated his pilgrimage he He thought about the potential dangers of his journey and he wondered out loud where his help. and protection would come from.

His ultimate source of help and protection would be the Lord.

Application:

As we journey through life were do we instinctively look for help, ourselves, friends and family, the government? These things might be the instruments of our help, but they are not the source. The source is God.

Faith is important because faith directs us toward God. (S)

Transition: Our help comes from the Lord, he watches, guides and protects.

The Assurance of God’s Protection (vv. 3-8)

A. The Lord Never Sleeps or Slumbers(vv. 3-4)

Psalm 121:3–4 NIV

3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

He will not let your foot slip. The Lord provided stability and helps us to keep our footing as we traverse the rocky terrain of life. (PS)

Human protectors such as police, firefighters, EMTs and even parents get tired, fall asleep, or miss things. God never sleeps, he never slumbers, and he doesn’t miss anything does. He is always alert and constantly on watch. His watchfulness is constant and personal. (PS)

Application: Because he never rest you can.

Transition

The pilgrims who sang this psalm walked forward with confidence because the Lord was their help. The same God who guarded their every step also guards ours. So how do we live this out on our journey? Let’s consider some ways.

Application

Like the pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem, we are not left to make the journey alone. God is with us he is our lighthouse

Life is a journey filled with challenges, uncertainties, and dangers—some seen and many unseen. Regardless of the danger God is our Help

As we travel the rocky terrain of life God helps us to keep our footing.

God is always with us. During calm seas or storms, temperate planes or frosty mountains, smooth or rough terrain—we can live with confidence, because God is our help he is our lighthouse

Trust the Lord, follow Lord for he is our Lighthouse, guiding us, protecting us, and watching over us.

Transition

All of this reminds us that our journey through life is not left to chance and we are not left to face it alone. Just as the pilgrims lifted their eyes toward Jerusalem, we lift our eyes to the Lord.

Conclusion

In the beginning I talked about a lighthouse . I discussed how that light from the lighthouse cut through the darkness, it would cut through the storm and even fog , Keeping sailors away from hazards and guiding them safely along the way.

The problem is that sometimes the lights in those lighthouses would go out and no sailors would be left without the protection of that light.

God is our lighthouse and His light never fails, His watchfulness never ends, and His protection is not only for today but for always.

As we journey through life we can have confidence that God is our ever-present help. He never sleeps, he is always watching, he is always on guard.

Life’s seas can be stormy, the nights can be dark, and the dangers are real. But you can lift your eyes with confidence, because God is your lighthouse. He is your Helper, your Watcher, your Protector. Trust Him, follow His light, and He will guide you.