God Sustains Us
Scripture Reading — Psalm 121:1-8
Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
I often feel sleepy around three o’clock in the afternoon. Sometimes I’m even tempted to put my head on my desk for a quick doze. But that’s not a good idea. Getting up and walking around will usually help to wake me up again.
In Psalm 121 we are assured that God’s watchful attention never lapses—not even for a quick nap. The setting of this psalm is the pilgrim’s road to Jerusalem for a worship festival. Though dangers may lurk in the shadowy hills and turns along the roadway, the psalmist assures God’s people that the Lord will watch over them.
Nothing will prevent God from watching over us, says the psalmist: nothing in the day or night and nothing from any direction, because God does not sleep.
How do God’s people know this? God is the Creator of the universe, and nothing can distract or draw his attention away from his beloved creatures, especially his children.
The all-powerful God who steers the universe has promised to watch over us wherever the journey of life takes us. With the confidence of knowing this, we can serve him in the world each day. With God’s people throughout the ages, we can say boldly, “[Our] help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
We know, Father, that you are our Creator, and we say with confidence that our help is in you. Amen.
About the author — Kurt Selles
Kurt Selles is the director of ReFrame Ministries and serves as the Executive Editor of Today. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to ReFrame, he served 19 years in Taiwan and China with CRC World Missions. Kurt later taught missions at Beeson Divinity School, where he also acted as the director of the school’s Global Center. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, reside in Grand Rapids and have three adult children.
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