What a Beautiful and Powerful Psalm this is. Psalm 121 is so rich for the Faithful Christian. Tune in if you would like to be encouraged, plain audio is above, video Sermon is below and starts around 26 minutes in click on the following link.
Or you may read the sermon Transcript below.
“September 2024, Trinity Presbyterian Church:
Sermon Title: A Mighty Guardian
Introduction:
Psalm 121, often called the "Traveler's Psalm," It is part of a group of Psalms called the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120–134), These 15 Psalms are believed to have been sung by Jewish pilgrims who journeyed from their villages and towns back to Jerusalem for key religious festivals. The themes of these 15 Psalms vary, but our Psalm speaks to the theme of confidence.
Important right? The Christian’s Confidence.
Reading the Old Testament, we are aware that the people of ancient Israel faced life-challenging journeys. And in their Day-to-day, they often faced enemies. And so, they desired help.
Have you recently been overwhelmed in life, have you asked the Lord for help?
I’m sure that recently we have, so let’s draw our attention to some of the priceless truths in Psalm 121 to help build our confidence.
Well, as we come to the text; What is the Author doing with the Text?
He is applying a critical principle for Christian living. A Principal we must learn from.
You will notice that the Psalmist is speaking to himself, a trend you find often in the Psalms.
Why did he do this?
As Martyn Loyd Jones would say: “In life, you feel unhappy because you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself. Your inner voice amplifies your problems and concerns.” But, says Jones, “drown out your disbelieving voice, by speaking God’s truth to yourself.”
And that is exactly what the Psalmist is doing here. He calms his inner voice by fixing his focus beyond himself, beyond what he can control. He looks to the Limitless Lord, and His promised Covenant Care.
Well, what are your challenges this morning, is it poor health, a rough marriage, a family feud, loneliness, financial woes, perhaps the passing of a loved one etc? You need help. And here in Verses 1 & 2, we hear about our help.
Help is a small word, but in our context, it is a vitally important word. Help here speaks to the Majestic, Authoritative, and Limitless Lord—the Creator who Shaped the Psalmist's life.
Authentic Christian, this Lord is your Limitless, and Faithful Guardian.
I wonder, does that truth strike at your heart, or are troubling issues speaking so loudly from within, that they are drowning out the assurances of God here? And if the internal grumblings are overwhelming, take this Psalm and speak it to yourself, as a principled means of ministry to your soul. For that is what the Psalmist was doing.
And, Encouragingly, this Psalm presents the Limitless Lord, and Faithful Guardian before us in 2 steps. So let’s look on.
So, step one then
Step 1. Remember the Limitless Lord of your Life.
Simply put, get a Biblically grounded understanding of Who God is, What God is about, and where you fit into His grand scheme of Creation. Unfortunately, we regularly start to consider life from ourselves and work up to God; but that is not the principled foundation the psalmist starts with.
Instead, the Psalmist approaches his life, by setting down, proven Historical and Covenantal facts.
1. The Limitless Creator God,
2. He is a Creature in need of Help,
3. There Covenant Relationship between God and Creature.
This is the formula we must keep before us as we live the Christian Faith. If God is not pre-eminent in His relationship to us and Salvation, then there can be no assurance, comfort, and confidence in Faith.
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Well having set the foundation, there are 3 teachings we need to consider from these first 2 verses.
1. The first teaching is this: Remember Your Destination. The Psalmist looks to the Hills. He is razor-focused on Jerusalem. Jerusalem is where God’s Glory rested on the Temple, where God dwells with His covenant people.
Therefore, Destination was important for the Psalmist. Something unique was experienced in the presence of Jehovah in Jerusalem. Israel experienced peace and hope through union with the Lord.
Could you imagine the Scene, God’s Shekinah Glory descending upon King Solomon's temple, what a spectacle, what awe! The sight and sound of Holy Fire, the smell of burnt offerings, and recognising the joy of the people. Security and Confidence anchored in their hearts because God was once again present as their Lord and Keeper.
Well Christian, do you remember your destination? Do thoughts of Christ’s return stir you? Are you excited for the new creation? Does your destination draw you forward with purpose and hope?
Or, are your thoughts anchored in this world?
Remember Your Destination, Life Eternal with Christ. This is the engine of hope, we need to keep the engine stoked, or we will stall on the uphill.
2. Well, the second teaching is this: accept that you are weak and in trouble. “I need help,” says the Psalmist, “where will my help come from?”
The Psalmist life is Challenged and under threat from a deceitful heart, and the impact of the world and Satan.
And Christian this is your battle too. You have weaknesses, and acknowledging your weakness in the battle is key. Pride and stubbornness have no place in the fight.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10, expresses this idea: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness... When I am weak, then I am strong."
So then, accept and rejoice gladly in your weaknesses this morning, so that the power of Christ may rest upon you in all circumstances.
3. A third teaching then follows on: Seek help from the all Powerful and Covenant Lord. “My help comes from the Lord, the creator of Heaven and Earth.”
Whatever the Psalmist perceived about his life and its circumstances, the Lord remained his Sustainer. Why?
Because God has unlimited power, and shared Covenant Promises.
What else is there to put trust in? The universal idea of Love, or the idea that you are your own God. Look at the world, those ideas are failures.
And so the lesson here is this; in deep hearted pain, doubt and despair, God Remains Powerful, Invested and Caring.
Keep your Creator front and centre of your thoughts. Bring those negative internal voices to heel, under the truth of His Limitless, Covenant Care.
Remember; All things are made through Him, by Him, For Him. This includes your trials.
And in Union with Him, He holds you firm in His Kingdom, having been Qualified by the Father.
So, entrust your life to Him; especially when fiery trials descend, and they will (1 Peter 4: 12 & 19).
Dear Christian, surrender completely to His Abounding, Wise and Covenantal care.
To recap then:
· Keep your Eternal Destination in constant focus. It must drive you on
· Take Strength from knowing the Limitless Lord achieves Victory through your Weakness
· And be Comforted in knowing that, Loving Covenant Care is yours, in the Supreme Christ.
Well, the psalmist has more to say in this poem, He speaks now of the Unfailing and Extensive Guardianship of the Lord.
So, step 2:
Step 2: Remember the Limitless and Good Care of the Lord: He is your Mighty Guardian.
When we look at these following verses, we recognise more of the Character of whom the Psalmist trusts.
We see the terms watch and keep in verses 3-6, but these words fail to bring the depth of the Hebrew meaning. The Hebrew word (Shaw-Mar), paints several characteristics worth grasping. For example, to Watch, to have Charge Over, to Guard, to Treasure. These Characteristics speak to the Jealous Love the Lord has for His people.
Now take these terms and what kind of character do you paint in your mind: what do you see? One who Watches over, Waits Over, has Charge Over, who Guards and Protects, who Treasures and Reserves His people.
Did you create an image of Christ with a gentle face, standing in his assumed white robe, with an outstretched hand? Didn’t think so.
These terms evoke an image of the Lord being a strong and jealous guardian, (Powerful, Personal, Nurturing, Guiding, Vigilant, Strong; Perfectly and Permanently Active on the Christian's behalf).
I see an unflinching Majestic Warrior, standing on top of the walls and ramparts of His Covenant Promises.
Who dares to Challenge this Mighty Guardian?
What we see in these verses is the Supreme Lord unconstrained in His Desire, Jealousy, and Action for His people.
The “I am” has both the heart of affection for you, and the absolute means to Guard you.
So then, how is this Affection and Guardianship expressed?
Scan with me please over verses 3-8 and see that: The Lord is the Guardian of Complete Care:
V. 3 “He will not let your foot slip.” The Greek term here (MOTE - Meaning to slip) speaks of being shaken, tottering on the edge of falling.
Now, please do not think, God is saying the Christian life should be plain sailing. That’s not the case, and not our experience. We follow in little Pilgrim's footsteps, being enticed this way and that, and we get weary at times. Expect bloody knees and scraped hands on the road to Glory, it’s a fight after all.
When the Lord says he will keep your footing, He asserts that He has placed you on your journey of faith, and He will keep you on that journey.
If your conversion to Christ was authentic, he put you on the road, and there is no getting off. His Rod and Staff are always working to keep your soul safe.
The Lord is saying “I am intimate, always present, and actionable on your behalf.”
Remember, The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and He delivers them (Psalm 34: 7).
Applicate:
Well V.3 calls us to be of courage and comfort: When fear and anxiety consume you; when you feel yourself going off the rails, Remember, he who began a good work…will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philip 1: 6)
The Steadfast Love of the Lord never ceases and neither does his mercy (Lam 3: 20-22).
Your Purposeful and Powerful Creator is in the business of keeping your footing. And He does this 24/7.
And See “He who watches over you, will not slumber,”
The Lord is not like the Gods of the ancient Near East who were believed to sleep and rest.
No, Yahweh was around in Eternity, long before sleep and slumber were created.
The Lord’s Watchfulness is perfectly thorough.
Christ never misses a heartbeat of your life. He gives you every heartbeat with purpose and oversight. Yes, he does, His Watchfulness is Comprehensive, and Complete.
Why else are Angels ordered this way and that to minister to you (Hebrews 1: 14).
· His loving eye is upon you (Ps 32:8)
· The Eyes of the Lord are in every place keeping watch (Proverbs 15: 3)
Like a lighthouse standing on a stormy coast. The sea is wild, the rocks are lethal. Yet, the lighthouse’s beam never wavers; it shines brightly, over and over, cutting through the darkness, guiding ships safely. That is your God, an unwavering and vigilant keeper, ensuring you don’t lose your way.
Even in life’s most turbulent moments, He keeps you on the Narrow Road.
Well, Verses 5 & 6: “The LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.”
24 hours a day, day after day, year after year, God is on guard, protecting us from the harshness of life. He stays by your Right-hand side continually.
Complete security, concerning the threats we face in this world, belongs to Him.
When the heat of challenges seems unbearable, he is not down the coffee shop disinterested in you. No, Christ is the Soldier in the trench with you, He’s tending your wounds, He’s encouraging you on. And when the enemy reaches the parapet above you, he steps in front and he slays them.
Friends, When your adversaries unleash Scorching pain, be that in the family, at work, school or your social scene, He is there, placing his shield of protection around you.
And in the cold and dark of the night, He minds your steps, he wraps you in warm grace.
When those who do evil venture forth in darkness (John 3: 20), He hinders them.
When the accuser plays with your thoughts in the dark, trying to spiritually paralyse you, with guilt and fear. Christ takes your hand, and his light fills your heart and mind, “I paid it all” He Says, “No Condemnation now; My blood, my Righteousness covers your Sin, You are free”.
So Rejoice Christian, you have a dependable Guardian who stays night and day, protecting and defending, so that you are never left exposed or unaccompanied.
Friends, this Scripture authorises, and empowers you to cast off fear. It calls you to rest with comfort and confidence because your adversaries and difficult trials in the world are under Christ’s Guardianship.
Remember:
Psalm 23: You have a Good Shepherd.
Isaiah 40:11: In His arms he protects you, he is Victorious over the wild beasts with His Rod on your behalf.
What a Loving Father we have.
Finally, then, Verses 7-8: “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.”
Now don’t misread verse 7, we all experience suffering, so what does this mean, “keep you from all harm”?
Well fleshing out the Hebrew here helps us. The verse actually means: “The Lord will Protect you from all Evil; He will Keep your Soul.”
Therefore, Evil Principalities and Powers are disabled, they are useless when it comes to the well-being of your soul. Christ has rendered them powerless against your eternal state, What a Comfort, what a Promise.
Romans 8:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us…neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons…neither the present nor the future, nor any powers…nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This friend is union with Christ: Comprehensive Securing Love; Limitless Grace to Hold Your Name Fast in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
And Christ’s Blood is Sufficient to anchor your Soul now and forever.
Every aspect of Life now and until your breath fades, occurs under the Lord's management.
Yes, your heart will break, you’re going to face scary events, and many tears will fall. Bloody knees and scraped hands are the reality in this fight. But dear Christian, it all happens under God’s Comprehensive Care.
So then, take comfort and confidence, because, ‘greater is Christ in you than the one who is in the world’ (1 John 4:4-6).
Conclusion:
Well, in conclusion, this is a small, but powerful Psalm.
If this Psalm fails to speak to your heart, or you would like to know more about the Lord and Creator, speak with us afterwards. Souls hang in the balance this morning, eternal Judgement by our Creator awaits. Are you sure you know this Limitless Guardian, are you sure?
Well Christian, what do you take into the week ahead:
1. Remember the Limitless Lord, and His Covenant with you.
2. Focus on your Destination, let Resurrection with Christ be the signpost for your journey.
3. Accept your weakness and run to Christ for Victory.
4. Then, Remember the Limitless Care of the Lord.
Be Courageous and Confident, He Will Guard you Constantly, Powerfully and Permanently.
