Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 121:1-8
Psalms 121:1-8
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you--the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
One of the many problems that plagued Israel throughout the Old Testament era was that they would turn for help to the nations around them when they got into trouble instead of turning to God. They would rely on a pact with Egypt because they had chariots and horses. They turned to Syria because they seemed to be mighty at the time. They turned to Edom as though they could help. Each time they would do this, God would warn them, rebuke them and often allow them to be defeated as punishment. Yet, they persisted in this same sin – the lack of faith in God and relying on his strength, care and protection.
Before we become too judgmental toward them, we need to take a good look at ourselves. Do we turn to our material wealth, our human wisdom, our education, our looks or something else instead of relying on God? So many who claim to trust God will try to “pull themselves up by their own bootstraps” instead of simply turning their troubles over to him. Just like God promised Israel that he would take care of them, he promises the same to us.
The reason he does this is simple; he loves us as his special people. He had made a great nation out of the slaves taken from Egypt. He promised Abraham that he would do this and he kept his word. Beginning in Egypt (before they even left) he told them to trust him and he would supply their needs and protect them from their enemies. He repeated this same promise many times during the journey to Canaan and then again when they arrived and began to take the land. He also promised them if they did not trust him and live for him he would punish them and he kept his word without fail on both counts.
Lord God, increase my faith. Direct my heart to turn to you when I face trials in my life and when problems seem to overwhelm me. Give me strength to face each day with the trials and temptations that come with it. Help me keep my heart set on you and my priorities in the right order. Please be with those who are have lost loved ones and give them strength and peace. Bless those who are sick and do not seem to be getting better or are certainly facing death. Shower them with your love and assurance. I pray in the name of Jesus.
--Robert
