There are some passages in scripture that truly make my spirit sing. They beat in rhythm with my heart and seem to touch my very soul in a loving, healing sort of way. Psalm 121 is one such passage for me.
I first discovered it in its entirety in college on the eve of my departure on an international mission trip. Faced with the reality of flying in a plane to another country with other students I barely knew, it struck me how little there was in this situation that I could control. As cautious and self-sufficient as I normally would try to be in my regular life, I was stepping far out of that safe, familiar realm and willingly putting my life in the hands of others. Although I know that nothing is guaranteed to anyone ever, something about those circumstances had me confronting the possibility that I was taking a very big risk and may not make it home safely. It was a frightening thought, and my anxiety crept higher and higher over the final days before our trip. Then one night as I was skimming through scripture, I found Psalm 121. It calmed my fears immediately and flooded me with a sense of peace. 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. (Psalm 121:1-2) I remembered that I was not just putting my life in other people's hands, but also in God's hands, where it has been all along. And as the Maker of heaven and earth, surely He was powerful enough to help me! 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 (Psalm 121:3-6) Many times in my life I have tried to be self-sufficient and take care of way too many tasks and responsibilities rather than asking for help. Sometimes it has been motivated by pride, other times by a need to be in charge, and other times by a desire to impress those around me. The most common side-effect of this for me has been sleep deprivation. At times this has become extreme to the point that I physically could not keep my eyes open any longer and would fall asleep in the middle of the day or while I was working late at night. I have even exhausted myself to the point of having mononucleosis, which forced me to bed rest for a week. Through those experiences I have learned that I am someone who needs a sizeable amount of sleep regularly to function coherently and feel like myself. So for me, these verses are particularly impressive and meaningful. God is looking out for me every second of every day! He never tires and has to sleep! He is just as powerful and all-knowing and concerned for my well-being today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow. 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. (Psalm 121:7-8) This last stanza resonated with me especially in anticipation of my overseas trip, and it continues to come to mind whenever I travel. I think it would do us well to remember it every time we step outside our home! The world can be frightening and seem full of dangers and threats, known and unknown. It would be easy to get caught up in anxiety about what or who may harm us if we venture out of our comfort zones. However, I think God calls us in this psalm to remember His almighty power and His abiding love for us. He is watching over us always and will care for us as we go out to care for others in His name. Does that mean there is no risk involved? No! But God goes with us; He is before us and behind us, guarding our path. So take heart and don't be afraid! Keeping the promises of Psalm 121 in mind, we can live bravely in His name today and always. Have there been times in your life when a scripture passage has brought you comfort just when you needed it most? Which passages speak to you in those times? What aspects or images of God bring you peace in times of uncertainty? I'd love to hear your thoughts - feel free to share in the comments or via the Contact page!
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AuthorRachel is a wife, mom, and follower of Christ. She is active in lay leadership in the United Methodist Church. Archives
October 2017
Categories© Rachel Yochum and Bible Bridge Ministry, 2017. All rights reserved.
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