Safe Travelling

Psalm 121 NIV

A song of ascents. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Introduction: Last week we talked about being on a journey back to a home we have lost. This world is not the home as it should be, and we are on a journey to get back to that home. This is called a pilgrimage. Is there anyone out there that has gone on a pilgrimage? Like to Israel, or a spiritual journey of any kind?

-Some Pilgrimages are quite safe, others dangerous - Conflicts in Israel, imagine “The Pilgrims” as they sailed to America.

We are on a Pilgrimage.

I want you to imagine yourself going on such a journey, a pilgrimage. Ironically many of these journey’s are not possible or ill-advised at this time - travel bans etc...

But as you think about that, especially with the pandemic of Coronavirus, we might be wondering, “Is it safe? to go on such a journey?” How will we be protected from harm. Even without this Pandemic, these might be the questions we would ask.

Story of Cindy and I going to Uganda - Made sure our will was in order.

Multiple times a year, the Ancient Israelites would go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem/the Temple. For different religious feasts and celebrations. During certain periods of history it was a safe trip, but in other periods of history they had to worry about raiders, pillagers, robbers, but also the enemy nations around them who would do harm to them on their journey.

As they would go they would prepare themselves to worship God at the temple, by singing/reciting/praying certain Psalms - The Psalms of Ascent -

The Word for Ascent Means a "Loose procession of pilgrims moving upwards.”

12 Steps - The Musicisans and Priests would lead the People in these Psalms one step at a time.

I like to think that families would travel in groups, and these groups would sing/recite/pray these Psalms progressively on the days they were travelling to Jerusalem as they anticipate arriving to the Temple.

So with that background with both anticipation and danger, hear what their longing in the second Psalm of this journey - “I lift my eyes to the mountains: Where will my help come?

Why do they lift their eyes to the mountains

High places - places of worship. There was a lot to choose - other gods. Baal of thunder, Ishtar of fertility, etc...

Which one is truly going to help them? Who is their helper?

For us, Is it money (economy), is it power (our military), is it our scientific knowledge.

Certainly, all of these things can help, but ultimately we realize there are things outside of our control. - A sickness that wipes out our savings, a natural disaster no one was planning for, diseases that no one has studied before.

The Answer, is in their is only one who ultimately can be of help, and to the Israelites, his presence is found on only one mountain where the Temple resides. Why, because The Lord is the only one who is the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

As Pilgrim’s this is the choice we have to make. Is our ultimate destination that home that the one true God has provided where he resides, or are we striving for these lesser gods who are only able to control somewhat a limited piece of creation.

God Protects Pilgrims.

There are two voices in this Psalm - The first are the people recognizing that their help is ultimately only in the Lord, but the second comes from probably a priest who responds back (12 steps of the temple, or a traveling priest with the group).

This second voice speaks on behalf of God to the People his promises to protect them.

Video of Dad’s saving their children.

Protection hear means: keep, guard, observe, give heed. The basic idea of the root is “to exercise great care over.” - It is used 6 times in the remaining 6 verses.

God protects pilgrims from falling.

God protects pilgrims from the elements.

Shadow - Picture of God’s Care being in the Shade of his wings

God protects pilgrims from evil.

I am sure that there were pilgrims who fell, I am sure that there were pilgrims who got heat stroke, or froze at night, I am sure that there were bandits who did harm to pilgrims on their journey, otherwise it would not even be mentioned here. It is like when we pray for safe travel, most of the time our travel is safe, but we pray because we have heard of unsafe travel.

Jesus’ journey in this life was not without its trouble, his pilgrimage was marked with suffering even unto death. The promises here, then are not that we will be free of pain or suffering in this world, but that in God’s care and providence, our pilgrimage will be marked by victory over the suffering.

God is taking great care over you. He wants to make sure that no matter what this world throws at you will not get you off course to your final destination. And this is all encompassing.

Merisms - Day and Night - Meaning the Lord will protect your pilgrimage to Him 24/7/52/every year of your life.

Your going out and your coming in - Whether at home or in the field, that God will protect your pilgrimage to Him no matter what GPS location.

Child - object permanence - covering their eyes - “You Can’t See Me.”

They are going to the Temple where God’s presence is, but in the presence of God.

For Christians this is more true - Holy Spirit, we are the temple - This is why we can worship online.

God protects pilgrims lives - Life and Eternal Life - This is the destination, that God is so in care

Conclusion:

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis. Heidelberg Catechism: Q&A 1, 26-28, 125 Belgic Confession: Article 13