Who's Your Security Detail?
Notes
Transcript
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; 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 will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.
He is sleepless protector - He’s always on! (v. 3-5a)
24/7 (Every day) Protection (V. 5b-6)
Every kind Protection (V. 7)
Protection Everywhere Forever (V. 8)
Intro (v. 1-2):
Since 1901, the US government began ensuring that certain officials are provided maximum protection for themselves as well as certain members of their families. They do this based three factors: that persons position (how important their function is), threats (statements of intent to inflict some amount of harm or injury), and risks (the potential that some harm could actually come their way). For example, the position of president and vice-president are critical, because any harm to them not only affects them, but also the entire government. Therefore they are assigned a security detail, often composed of multiple trained people to protect them at all times.
Well, you and I, as believers in Christ and GOD, might not have a US authorized security detail. But because we are believers, in Christ, God’s children, we have a divine (the highest authority) security detail.
Psalm 121 is this second of what’s known as the songs of ascent. They were songs Israel sang while they were on their way to worship at the appointed annual feasts in Jerusalem. Traveling to Jerusalem from distant lands presented many dangers, causing fears. So the Psalmist pens this song as a firm assurance of God’s protection services for his people. He first assures himself of that protection, and then explains the features of the protection we have with GOD.
Before you can tell somebody else about divine protection, it is vital to know it for yourself. Going up, was literal because Jerusalem was elevated. It was a great task. Where does my help come from? All the assistance I need comes from The Lord. He made everything. Thus he is powerful!! But what characterizes God’s protection for our lives. Notice the Psalmist changes from “my” to “your” in verse 3. My help, and verse 5a he says he’s your keeper too!! Thus he is affirming this for everyone’s encouragement.
He is sleepless protector - He’s always on! (v. 3-5a)
By his power, he prevents us from entering disaster. It takes strength to brace somebody as they’re going up a hill, rocks on the slopes making it easy to slip and fall. - How many disasters have missed your life. Nothing to do with our own wisdom or might.
But the main emphasis is on a particular feature of God’s protection. That is, that he does not sleep. And just in case they weren’t paying attention, the Psalmist repeats it and adds that he doesn’t nap or doze off either.
Application: There’s not a human alive that does not require sleep. Sleep deprivation leads to mood changes, poor immune system, difficulty focusing, and much more. But with our GOD, he never loses focus, he is always on alert!! Even our home security systems, we turn off and on, which disables and enables detection. But there is no such thing with our GOD!!
24/7 (Every day) Protection (V. 5b-6)
The sun and moon are mentioned to emphasize day and night, and the term “smite” emphasizes the potential harm during both periods. So the Psalmist further shows how much God protects them, by affirming that GOD protects by day and night. He is shade on their right hand, which is an imagery of protection. The significance of shade is that it protects from the extremes of light.
Illustration: When the sun is beaming on us, in order for any object to provide shade for us, it must first of all be bigger than us!!! That meaning it must cover more surface area on the ground than we do. But equally important, is that the object must be close enough to us so the area it covers, covers us!!!
Application: You need to be assured that God’s security protects us day and night. While most of us work days, and are off at night, GOD takes neither one off. He does not rotate shifts with anybody. Wake up, he’s there. Sleep, he’s there, right by our side.
Every kind Protection (V. 7)
Well what is GOD protecting and what is he protecting from. In other words, what is it about us that is most significant and what is the threat and the risk? The psalmist answers those questions. GOD protects from evil. Not a specific evil, but any and all kind of evils. That means GOD does not lack strength or equipment against evil. And he is not solely focused on the body, but the you that makes up you. That is the soul.
Application: We oughta praise GOD that he protects from all kinds of evil. There are no evils that can outwit, overpower, slide through, hack, hi-jack, break through, outnumber, or override his protection. Not only that, his protection is fully layered. That meaning he protects every sphere of our existence: physical, mental, spiritual, communal, familial, and emotional. Covid-19, threats that want to tear down my emotions, and destroy my spirit. That’s satans true aim. We often place sole focus on this earthly body. While it is important to respect the body, these bodies are decaying. Paul says though this house be destroyed, I’ve got another one. Peter says he is protecting us through faith for salvation.
Protection Everywhere Forever (V. 8)
Lastly the Psalmist says the Lord focuses on their going out and going in, which was a phrase to capture the ventures of ones entire life. Furthermore, he says starting now and forever more.
Example: In 1994, a law passed that protected former presidents up to 10 years. In 2013, that law was reversed to provide lifetime protection for former presidents.
Application: We have one security system for our homes. Another for our vehicles. Another for our jobs. GOD is the only security that can be with us absolutely wherever we are. Furthermore, all those security systems and mechanisms at one point or another will become outdated. But God’s security has no expiration or need for an upgrade. Because his existence is eternal, the security he provides is for our lifetime and beyond.
Is the Lord your security detail? Do you recognize and believe it? Do you trust in his protection? No matter when, what time of day, or where you are?