Sermon Notes-11/9/14-Psalm 121; Phil 4:6-7. Look Up!

This psalm would have been sung as a Jewish believer would have been traveling to Jerusalem, going to church. As such he would have to walk up hills in order to get there.

On the One hand, mountains are hard to travel, they are hard not just for the terrain, but because these hills have wild beasts and robbers. Yet, on the other hand, on those same hills that are so dangerous, rests the temple of God, the church.

And I can imagine that as he sees the temple, it reminds him of just Who is the mighty One who dwells there. And it causes him to look above the peaks of the hills, to look up and remember where his, and our, help comes from.

And we as Christians have a leg up on this Psalm writer, for we know that since Christ has come into our hearts, here is where God dwells. Not within walls of wood but within the heart and mind of a person.

We are safe and protected. In these first two verses, we learn this:

God is a Helper (v. 1,2)

As we read on, we are further given cause for peace of mind for we see our God is an ever-present sentinel, a solider on the watch, a guardian who never leaves his post, and is always faithful.

The biblical writer is showing his praise that the real God, the true God, does not need sleep, does not need slumber.

In fact, because this Lord of ours does not rest, we have the peace and the freedom to rest.

I think we would be all better off if every once in a while, we just stepped back, took a deep breath, and said “God is my protector, and He is in control.”

So, not only is He our Helper.

God is our Keeper. (v. 3,4)

He is the One who holds and comforts us and gives us the courage and the hope to face each new day with its challenges.

Not only does our help come from the One who made heaven and earth, but this help is available day or night, rain or shine, and gives round the clock protection.

Anyone who has traveled in the Middle East knows the threat of dehydration and sunstroke. Back in biblical days, just as too much exposure to the sun could be dangerous, they also thought too much exposure to the moon could pose a health threat.

So it does not matter even if these two great celestial bodies, the sun and the moon, come after you. God still has you.

So God is not only Helper (121:1,2), and Keeper (121:3,4).

Now we see Him as our Protector (121:5,6).

It says that God is watching over you, keeping you from all harm. This is more than simply nice words, or a warm sentiment. Rather, it should bring a steady stream of calm peace into our hearts and lives.

Friends, God’s is in control, and we can really have rest and peace, when we grasp that. That is liberating, that is freeing.

It means we can take the undue burdens off our back, not get so stressed at life, and take time for what really matters.

This Psalm teaches us four ultimate truths.

1) God is Helper,

2) God is Keeper,

3) God is Protector,

4) God is Preserver

With these truths laying the bedrock of our spiritual lives, why worry? I mean imagine, never worrying about anything! Paul’s advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do we want to worry less? Then we need to pray more.

Prayer is the key to opening the door to God’s peace for a worrisome mind.

Because through prayer, we enter into God’s presence, and when we dwell there, when we sit there, and just worship the Lord,

Cast your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you, and when you are feeling down…look up! Amen

For the Full Sermon by Craig, look here Look Up