Keep Looking UP

Introduction

We have had an interesting year. Living in and trying to get through this pandemic. Do me a favor! look back with me over the course of this year and you might agree with me that we have had some painful experiences and but also some purposeful moments. The journey always looks easy when the destination is in view. But when the journey gets a little rocky our trust seems becomes tested by things were going through! We look to the psalms today!! In our biblical tradition i suppose that the psalms provides the most reliable theological, pastoral, and liturgical resource given to us. In season and out of season, generation after generation, faithful women and men turn to the Psalms as a most helpful resource for conversation with God about things that matter most. This is a psalm of acsension, it is to be said that there were sung on the steps of the temple, but can also be rendered and classifeid as pilgrim songs, which the latter is more suitable for our exegetical considerations.

if were using the context of a pilgram, then the indivdual would journey there way to Jerusalem. in a since we are all on on a journey somewhere. Jerusalem, for the pilgrim would be a comfortable place where we they can get in tune with the presence of God and is a source of identity. This journey! Living in America in seems we are trying to get back to our Jerusalem!

! Not that the land is strange but surly this journey is!

The things that we have faced in this country, in order to have a since of normality is literally breath taking! Thesis “Here is our chance to explore that if we look up to God through out our journey we can be assured that he will keep us!”

Verse one

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Psalm 121

I will alift up my eyes to bthe mountains;

From where shall my help come?

Where do you turn for help?

The voice of the pilgrim is heard in verse 1. one who is on his way to Jerusalem, and one who throughout his life has experienced the perennial problems of humankind,

The pilgrim-psalmist, as he contemplated his journey through the hills to Jerusalem, asked where his help came from.People have turned to pop psychology- like Christianity. This self- positive “I think I can” attitude

The question in stanza 1! Is the same question that we are probably asking! “From where shall my help come from?” in time like these you or we might be asking the same question. Economy isnt at the best, the county seems to be at at odds with each other racially, and not to imposed again that we arent in the the best health literally. This pandemic has took us on a journey all by it self. our lively hood has change, the way we view life prpbaly has change, and if the truth be told the view God and many other theological thoughts has probaly has chnage as well!!

Verse 2

Turn to the Lord ....Creator of the heavens and the earth

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 121:1–2

The pilgrim-psalmist, as he contemplated his journey through the hills to Jerusalem, asked where his help came from. He found the answer to his question in the affirmation of his faith that the LORD, who created heaven and earth—with those hills—was his only Source of help.

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. What we need is help, -- help powerful, efficient, constant: we need a very present help in trouble. What a mercy that we have it in our God. Our hope is in Jehovah, for our help comes from him. Help is on the road, and will not fail to reach us in due time, for he who sends it to us was never known to be too late.

Do not put your hope today in yourself, for were it not for God, you would surely slip. But because of his ever-sustaining mercy, your faith will remain.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 121:3–4

The person speaking assured the pilgrim that he would have divine protection. God, who watches over (cf. vv. 5, 7–8) His own, will not slumber or sleep, that is, He will not be indifferent to or disregard them.The Lord will be alert in protecting His own.

Verse 3-4

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Psalm 121

He will not aallow your foot to slip;

He who bkeeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

Will neither slumber nor sleep

It seems here the voice changes. The person changes from “I” and “my” to “you” and “your” it could have been that priest or some one of that nature was accompying the pilgrim!

Who ever is speaking here, bring into focus the theme that seems to string this psalms together! Assurance! That we are assured

THE VALUE OF LOOKING TO GOD FOR HELP.

A. His availability, "He that keepeth thee will not slumber."

1. He is always there.

a. One of the problems of learning to rely on friends, not always there when you need them.

B. His ability, "The Lord is thy keeper."

1. So often we cry, "help Lord, I'm slipping."

a. "He will not suffer their foot to be moved.