The help God brings

“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
(Psalm 121: 3-4)
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We have already established the fact that Psalm 121 assures those who claim it, that they do not walk alone, because the Maker of heaven and earth journeys with them as their helper. However, it is important to note that although God is the source and supplier of the needed help on our journey, it is not enough to simply memorize and recite it, but you must believe it. I trust you made time to read, study and memorize the Psalm.

Today we will look at verses 3 and 4, and observe the following under the heading: “The Help God Brings”:

1.HE WILL NOT SUFFER THY FOOT TO BE MOVED – verse 3a
The word “suffer” means: “allow”; “permit” or “tolerate”. The import of the verse is that under no circumstances will God allow or permit our foot to be moved or shaken by life’s difficulties, challenges and the unpredictability of life’s happenings. God will establish the feet of His people in a firm place and allow them to stand in every difficult situation. Those who fight against us and seek our failure, will rather fall, whilst we stand. Psalm 20:8 declares:

“They are brought down and fallen: but are risen, and stand upright.”

We are firmly built on the foundation that derives its strength from God’s infinite power and sustaining grace, that we cannot be moved. Psalm 125:1-2 says:

“They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion which cannot be moved, but abideth forever.

As the mountains are round Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.”

Beloved, our feet shall move forward in progress but they shall not be moved to destruction. We are unlike the ungodly, whose feet are set in slippery places. (Psalm 73:17-18). Our feet shall not be moved – this is the help God gives us, and what a promise that He will not allow our foot to be moved!

2. HE WILL KEEP THEE – verse 3b
He that keepeth thee…Who is this that keepeth thee? It is the LORD from whom our help comes, the Maker of heaven and earth. The word “keepeth” translates into “guards” or “protects”. This means the God of heaven and earth is our “Guardian” or “Protector”. He watches over you, so that no evil befalls you. How comforting this promise is, that God, who makes the heavens His Throne and the earth His footstool, is the One who guards and protects you. We are safe and secure.

3. HE WILL WATCH OVER YOU WIDE AWAKE – verse 3c
“He that keepeth thee will not slumber” To slumber means to sleep lightly or doze off or feel drowsy. It can also mean to be in a state of inactivity, dormancy or negligence.

Metaphorically, the LORD who watches over His people, does not blink an eye, or find Himself in a state of inactivity or negligence. This explains why not a feather of a bird falls to the ground without His knowledge and permission. Thank God He watches over our going out and coming in, without dozing off.

4. HE WILL KEEP WATCH OVER YOU WITHOUT SLUMBERING OR SLEEPING- verse 4.
I believe verse 4 emphasizes what has been said in verse 3. The emphasis gives a double assurance that we are safe and secure with God keeping watch over us. He does not slumber nor sleep. The LORD, as the divine Guardian, takes care of Israel and the inhabitants. He cannot be overtaken by slumber or sleep. He is unlike Baal, who, when during the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, Elijah ridiculed and questioned as to whether he had gone on a journey or was asleep in dead silence to their pleas. (1 Kings 18:27-28).

Our help for guidance and protection comes from God Almighty, who does not slumber or sleep and who is not negligent when it comes to the care and protection of His people. May we seek to be under the divine guidance and protection of the LORD. We are safe and secure under His watchful eye. Shalom.

OUR PRAYER
Lord, help me abide under your divine guidance and protection. When I stray, reach out to me with your loving and caring hands, and bring me back under your watchful eye. Amen