Selah II

Psalm 121:1 CSB

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?

INTRO—

Ever been in a conversation (etc) and heard something profound and either thought to yourself or said,

“Hmmm.”

“Wow, I need to think about that some more.”…?

**Selah — stop…reflect…meditate...[[pray]]. [A respite]

***Today we conclude our series—Godly Sorrow—with a second Selah-type moment to stop and reflect on a rather comforting answer to the challenge of lament, in the Psalms and Lamentations, we have considered…

[[Previous Selah = 17 August]]

A SONG OF ASCENTS [sung on the way to Jerusalem (typically to celebrate on of the feasts/festivals; to worship; Pss 120-134]

[[Psalm 121:1 “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?”]]

The way to (and/or from) worship went along a challenging road [The hills/mountains = potential danger from robbers or wild animals; or seen as the ‘high places’ of pagan gods]

Where will help come from for the journeying worshipper?

[[Psalm 121:2 “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”]]

The LORD, maker of heaven and earth, is the one who helps the psalmist.

My LORD Keeps Me — Tirelessly [Psalm 121.3-4]

PROTECTOR [ ‘He who KEEPS’…Watches (over)…Guards]

The psalmist uses this word six times in this psalm.

KEEPS = SECURITY (no matter what is going on in our life, in the world around us…we are safe [even in relation to death].

Our LORD does not slumber nor sleep. [contrast Elijah’s ‘encouragement’ to pagan priest to shout louder because their god might be asleep (1 Kings 18:27 “At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up!””)]

Our keeper doesn’t need a nap. [I do!!—I do, but God doesn’t, so I can sleep knowing God doesn’t need me to do his job.]

My LORD Keeps Me — Constantly [Psalm 121.5-6]

Our LORD shelters us all the time and everywhere. [Shelter, ‘shadow’ like Psalm 91:1 “The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.”]

The psalmist conveys this fact primarily by using words focused on time. [Sun/Day & Moon/Night]

Our LORD is ‘right by your side’ [lit = ‘at your right hand] = so close you could reach out and touch him (comforting!…&, if I’m being honest, convicting, too).

Our Keeper is always close by. [It’s not like I have to go on a search and rescue mission (or play hide and seek). My LORD is so close by that even a whisper doesn’t escape his notice Psalm 40:1–2 “I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.”]

My LORD Keeps Me — Eternally [Psalm 121.7-8]

Our LORD protects our life both now and forever!

In the present and throughout the future (which in our relationship with God = FOREVER!).

Psalm 130:7 “Israel, put your hope in the Lord. For there is faithful love with the Lord, and with him is redemption in abundance.”

Our LORD protects us from all harm. [certainly in an ultimate, eternal perspective.]

Our keeper values our life. [values life!; cherishes, treasures our lives; FOR ETERNITY]

CONCL—

The help we need in life we find in a faithful (covenantally so) Keeper.

“Faithful love”

Psalm 51:1 “Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.”

Lamentations 3:22 “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end.”

Lamentations 3:32 “Even if he causes suffering, he will show compassion according to the abundance of his faithful love.”

Psalm 13:5 “But I have trusted in your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in your deliverance.”

Psalm 42:8 “The Lord will send his faithful love by day; his song will be with me in the night— a prayer to the God of my life.”

Psalm 69:13 “But as for me, Lord, my prayer to you is for a time of favor. In your abundant, faithful love, God, answer me with your sure salvation.”

Psalm 69:16 “Answer me, Lord, for your faithful love is good. In keeping with your abundant compassion, turn to me.”

This truth means — that when we cry out in lament (over circumstances or sin, individually or as a group [church]), we know (even if we need to be reminded) that we have a God who hears and cares and acts…for our good and his glory!

[[[For our next series…WELL DONE—Matthew 25.21, 23; & various biblical examples for our challenge and encouragement.]]]

INVITATION:

Salvation

Selah [Just stop…& trust]

Gratitude {Thankfulness…& shown]

Psalm 121:8 CSB

The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.