WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.380 Please have a seat. And then if you turn back in your Bibles, it's page 622 to Psalm 121. 00:00:10.380 --> 00:00:27.760 ! And let's begin asking a question. This morning, do you need help? And where do you look to find that help? 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:35.079 Now, the fundamental encouragement of this psalm is that the Lord who made the hills 00:00:35.079 --> 00:00:41.740 is the Lord who helps his people. We read it, we sang it in verses 1 and 2. 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:52.600 The Lord who never sleeps is the Lord who keeps watch over his people now and forevermore. 00:00:52.600 --> 00:01:01.179 Six times that same idea, verses 3 to 8. There is a deep promise within this psalm 00:01:01.179 --> 00:01:07.560 that believers in Christ Jesus can trust God and his protection. 00:01:08.439 --> 00:01:13.240 That there is no better salvation found anywhere else. 00:01:13.239 --> 00:01:20.979 That God is a Father who defends the faithful until the very end. 00:01:20.980 --> 00:01:31.939 Now, while Psalm 120 would be one of the less sung and well-loved psalms, that's not true for Psalm 121. 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:42.260 It's familiar to many, much loved by many. So, how do we bring out the wonders of this truth this morning? 00:01:42.260 --> 00:01:46.200 Let's think a couple of ways. Let's think about our pilgrims. 00:01:47.219 --> 00:01:52.040 What did they see when they looked to the hills? 00:01:53.380 --> 00:01:55.600 Why do they find themselves looking to the hills? 00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:59.560 What kind of thoughts would come into their minds as pilgrims? 00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:02.719 And then we'll think about parallels in our journeys of faith. 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:09.620 And what is it, as they're on that journey, what do they remind themselves about the Lord? 00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:17.759 And how can this encourage us to trust God today as our helper and keeper? 00:02:19.079 --> 00:02:24.159 So, join with me in trying to picture these pilgrims who lift their eyes up to the hills. 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:27.199 So, we thought about them in Psalm 120. 00:02:27.539 --> 00:02:31.400 Those groups who are really far away from Jerusalem, but it's festival time. 00:02:31.400 --> 00:02:38.120 And so, these small bands, family units, would cluster together and make the long trek together. 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:45.500 The furthest away, people would go somewhere between 120 to 150 miles on foot towards Jerusalem. 00:02:46.379 --> 00:02:49.240 When they did that, they would pass through valleys. 00:02:50.200 --> 00:02:51.659 There would be mountainous regions. 00:02:51.800 --> 00:02:53.040 There would be desert spaces. 00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:54.719 It was hard. 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:55.780 They would do it with families. 00:02:55.920 --> 00:02:56.980 They would do it with animals. 00:02:56.979 --> 00:03:06.039 It would take, they estimate, somewhere between 7 to 10 days for the people who are furthest away to get to Jerusalem. 00:03:07.719 --> 00:03:08.919 So, picture them. 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:10.919 They're on the journey. 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:13.560 And they see a mountain range up ahead. 00:03:13.639 --> 00:03:14.919 And they lift their eyes. 00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:16.959 Now, what might they be thinking? 00:03:17.079 --> 00:03:17.699 What might they see? 00:03:17.819 --> 00:03:22.099 Sometimes, we can well imagine they would anticipate danger. 00:03:22.099 --> 00:03:26.439 What if someone from our party falls and injures themselves? 00:03:27.460 --> 00:03:32.259 Or what if we get round that corner and there happens to be bandits and robbers? 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:34.900 Sometimes, the mountains spoke danger. 00:03:36.139 --> 00:03:39.299 Sometimes, the mountains would speak temptation. 00:03:40.079 --> 00:03:46.879 Because they might very well look up to a set of hills and see where false gods are worshipped. 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:54.939 And those worshippers claim that when you pass through that territory, you needed to worship this god in order to have protection. 00:03:55.939 --> 00:04:00.500 And so, they might be tempted to look away from the true god to trust in local gods. 00:04:00.579 --> 00:04:01.620 So, sometimes danger. 00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:02.539 Sometimes protection. 00:04:03.019 --> 00:04:04.659 But sometimes, of course, there'd be hope. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:08.000 You know, that the day is drawing to a close. 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:11.199 A mountain can represent a place of shelter. 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:17.719 And especially as they got near Journey's End, they would see those mountains surrounding Jerusalem. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:20.699 And they think, ah, we've nearly reached our goal. 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:26.759 And, of course, that goal would take them up a mountain, up to Mount Zion, to the ultimate joy of, 00:04:27.219 --> 00:04:31.240 here we are in God's presence with God's people and we're worshipping together. 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:36.939 What about when we lift our eyes to the hills? 00:04:38.060 --> 00:04:44.120 And especially, to go back to our original question, where do you and I need help today? 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:52.139 What problem, what trouble looms like a mountain on your horizon? 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:54.620 Now, there may be many. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:58.220 It may be danger. 00:04:58.220 --> 00:05:01.820 We are facing a difficult diagnosis. 00:05:03.020 --> 00:05:06.720 There is a fracture in one of our relationships. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:10.000 We are worried about our future. 00:05:11.280 --> 00:05:13.460 And so, we're living with anxiety. 00:05:15.880 --> 00:05:19.820 But it may be, too, that those problems represent a temptation. 00:05:21.100 --> 00:05:26.360 A temptation to trust in my wealth and my resources. 00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:34.639 My abilities and my relationships to get me through, to get me around this problem. 00:05:35.160 --> 00:05:40.080 To rest and trust in created things rather than our creator. 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:49.659 When a problem looms large on our horizon, where do you and I look for hope? 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:53.479 Is it to be found in human solutions? 00:05:55.399 --> 00:05:58.680 Is it to be found in something within creation? 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:06.399 Has discouragement or distraction taken our focus away today from seeking help from the Lord? 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:14.739 And what Psalm 121 did for the pilgrims back then, it can still do for us today. 00:06:14.739 --> 00:06:20.879 Because it wants to draw our gaze beyond the mountains to the mountain maker. 00:06:21.739 --> 00:06:31.819 To call us and to call us back to trust in God for salvation and protection on the road of life and faith. 00:06:31.819 --> 00:06:37.219 So, we're going to keep asking ourselves, where do we seek help? 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:43.579 You may have seen the Disney Plus advertising campaign. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:48.240 With the strap line, A Lifetime of Great Stories. 00:06:48.339 --> 00:06:49.659 I don't know if you've seen the advert. 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:55.340 But it takes a small boy watching classic Disney movie. 00:06:55.700 --> 00:06:58.460 And then it follows him through various seasons of life. 00:06:58.660 --> 00:07:01.880 As a teenager, going as a student on a camping trip. 00:07:01.960 --> 00:07:03.120 Then married with kids. 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:08.480 And all through the different phases of life, those great stories remain. 00:07:10.280 --> 00:07:17.920 Psalm 121, I think, is loved so much because it tells us of the great story of the Christian life. 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:25.879 That there is a God who is creator and he does save and he does keep his people. 00:07:26.960 --> 00:07:35.720 That whatever problem, whatever situation, and through the whole journey of life and faith, God is there for his people. 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:40.860 So, today, we can fill in the blank. 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:44.080 What's our problem? 00:07:45.700 --> 00:07:46.900 Think about it. 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:49.140 Look at it. 00:07:49.580 --> 00:07:52.879 And then, look beyond it. 00:07:53.660 --> 00:07:55.160 To the Lord, our creator. 00:07:55.960 --> 00:07:58.280 To the Lord, our covenant maker. 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:00.759 To the Lord, our companion. 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:03.840 The only source of ultimate help and salvation. 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:06.500 So, let's get into our text. 00:08:06.600 --> 00:08:10.100 Our help, we are told, comes from the Lord, the creator. 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:12.240 And that's there in verse 2. 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:14.100 The question is asked in verse 1. 00:08:14.180 --> 00:08:15.300 Where does my help come from? 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:18.439 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. 00:08:19.020 --> 00:08:21.280 Sometimes we share the Apostles' Creed in church. 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:22.579 It sounds a lot like that, doesn't it? 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:24.500 The almighty maker of heaven and earth. 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:32.740 Now, when the Bible says that God is creator, we need to recognize all that that involves. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:40.059 It's not saying God is like the blind watchmaker who kind of winds up the world at the beginning and then just lets it run. 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:42.059 God makes and God makes. 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:46.399 God makes and God maintains. 00:08:47.699 --> 00:08:54.000 God controls and God directs everything towards his goals. 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:57.519 Alec Motier puts it this way. 00:08:57.699 --> 00:09:05.439 God exercises full, detailed, executive management of the world he created. 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:11.020 We're talking of the God who numbers the stars and calls them each by name. 00:09:11.640 --> 00:09:14.660 Who numbers the sparrows and makes sure they have food. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:21.320 Whose care of us, whose knowledge of us is so great that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:34.040 So when the pilgrim says, I lift my eyes, there is hope and confidence when their gaze turns to the Lord of these hills. 00:09:35.400 --> 00:09:39.940 Because he is mighty and he is his people's helper. 00:09:39.940 --> 00:09:49.740 You have probably had the experience of mountains and mountain ranges making us feel somewhat small. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:55.640 Perhaps if you're a walker or a hiker, you're at the bottom and the summit is all the way up there. 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:57.640 You think, how am I ever going to get up there? 00:09:58.160 --> 00:10:02.340 Or maybe you've got to the top and then you're looking over a vast mountain range. 00:10:02.380 --> 00:10:05.640 And again, it can leave you feeling so small. 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:11.419 We can seem so fragile and fleeting compared to those ancient, massive hills. 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:20.259 Isaiah, in chapter 40 of his prophecy, gives us a different perspective. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:25.500 Speaking of this God, the mighty maker of heaven and earth, he says, 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:30.899 God weighs the mountains and the hills on his scales and balances. 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:34.460 We weigh flour and we weigh sugar. 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:39.960 Our God, he weighs Everest in Kathmandu. 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:44.559 He is infinitely greater there from all eternity. 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:50.419 And we need to remember that in those moments when our problems can feel like mountains to us. 00:10:51.819 --> 00:11:01.519 When we are battling with anxiety and loneliness and struggles with our health or when we are struggling against sin. 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:11.039 All of those things that can make us seem so small and discouraged and can draw our eyes and our hearts and our minds inward and away from our God and his loving care. 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:12.740 We need to look up. 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:19.099 And we need to look beyond to the mighty maker of the mountains. 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:24.700 To the Lord Jesus, the maker of heaven and earth who walked on those mountains. 00:11:25.420 --> 00:11:27.940 Who climbed Mount Calvary. 00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:34.800 Who faced God's holy wrath because of our sin to show us God's great love. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:41.240 Ultimately, the Lord Jesus, he is the help you and I need. 00:11:42.179 --> 00:11:46.839 We look away from our troubles and our temptations to Calvary Hill. 00:11:47.459 --> 00:11:50.899 To Christ crucified as our only help. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:57.199 We trust that he is the one who will keep us until we reach heavenly Zion. 00:11:58.079 --> 00:11:59.779 Until we are home with God. 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:03.699 So our help comes from the Lord, our creator. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:06.079 But the song isn't finished there. 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:08.379 Secondly, verses 3 and 4. 00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:12.299 Our help comes from the Lord, the covenant redeemer. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:19.419 Now, I know some of you this week will have spared a thought for poor Billy Gilmore. 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:22.259 Now, some of you might not know who Billy Gilmore is. 00:12:22.339 --> 00:12:28.099 Well, 24 hours before he was due to fly with the rest of the Scotland squad to the World Cup. 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:31.399 In the middle of a friendly, he picked up an injury. 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:33.360 And now he's missing out. 00:12:33.939 --> 00:12:39.519 So his dream from childhood has turned to agony and despair. 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:41.939 It can happen. 00:12:43.099 --> 00:12:46.839 Listen now to verses 3 and 4 of Psalm 121. 00:12:46.959 --> 00:12:48.240 This is speaking of the Lord. 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:50.299 He will not let your foot slip. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:52.840 He who watches over you will not slumber. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:57.019 Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 00:12:57.519 --> 00:13:01.399 With the Lord as our covenant redeemer, this never happens. 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:05.460 He ensures that none of his people are lost. 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:09.120 That no dreams turn to despair with this God. 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:11.320 He keeps his people safe. 00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:17.560 No hazard and no slip will stop us from reaching God's intended goal for his church. 00:13:17.780 --> 00:13:19.920 Life with God in the heavenly city. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:26.799 Now, it's important when we come to a text like this to recognize this is not saying, 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:30.979 believe in Jesus and a comfortable life is coming. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:36.159 Trust in Jesus and you'll be immune from life's troubles. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:38.259 Don't say that at all. 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:40.159 You can go to a passage like Luke 21. 00:13:41.319 --> 00:13:44.139 In Luke 21, we hear Jesus say to his disciples, 00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:47.039 you'll be betrayed, you'll be hated, you'll be persecuted, 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:50.220 but not a hair of your head will perish. 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:55.759 Or we can turn to the prayer of Jesus we've been looking at for the last few weeks in the evening. 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:59.679 Jesus prays, my prayer is not that you take them out of the world. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:04.439 My prayer is that you keep them safe in the power of your name. 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:07.299 My prayer is that you protect them. 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:11.059 Jesus knows in this world we will have trouble, 00:14:11.319 --> 00:14:14.899 but we're invited to take heart because he has overcome the world. 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:20.519 And this God cannot and will not lose any of his own. 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:26.319 Jesus cannot and will not lose any of those he came to save. 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:32.360 Trouble comes, but it does not overcome. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:41.299 In our church, we have a missionary partner who's serving in Colombia, Manuel Reanu. 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:43.799 Many of us know him and have been praying for him 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:47.819 because Manuel, a few weeks ago now, 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:53.379 had a very nasty slip where he fractured his skull and one of his vertebrae. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:15:01.040 And through this prolonged period of medical procedures and tests and struggles with health, 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:06.220 Manuel has been testifying to God's goodness, 00:15:06.780 --> 00:15:09.120 to God's miraculous providence, 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:14.600 to God's care over him through his spirit and through his people 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.980 such that he can say, 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:18.159 this has become a blessing to me. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:23.620 He will not let your foot slip. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:29.940 This section of Psalm 121 tells us something about God's work. 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:34.139 God is a tireless worker. 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:38.879 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:41.340 no days off, no sleep. 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:45.379 God is caring for his people. 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:48.820 I wonder if we ever stop and think about that. 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:52.759 Sometimes we think a lot about the work that we do for God 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:54.639 and that matters and it matters to God. 00:15:55.059 --> 00:16:00.299 But have you ever stopped to think about the truth that God works for us? 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:03.539 Isaiah 64, verse 4, 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:07.240 God works for those who wait for him. 00:16:09.219 --> 00:16:11.799 I love 2 Chronicles 16, verse 9. 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:16.639 Tells us just how eager God is to work for us. 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:17.359 Says, 00:16:17.359 --> 00:16:22.899 The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:29.159 That means the eyes of the Lord run to and fro this church this morning 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:35.620 to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless towards him. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:44.240 God is eager to use his power and his wisdom and his goodness and his love 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:48.279 to watch over and to keep his own. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:52.959 Now, how do we know that to be true? 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:55.919 Well, here's one way we can certainly know. 00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:58.980 Because God sent us his son. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:04.319 And God's son, the Lord Jesus, he came to work on our behalf. 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:08.079 Remember those words that Jesus spoke of himself? 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:13.579 He didn't come to be served, but to serve. 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:17.899 And to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:23.299 The gospel message, the good news of the Bible is not, 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:27.700 If I work hard enough, perhaps God will accept me. 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:32.879 The good news of the Bible is that Jesus works for his followers. 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:36.379 Jesus works for our salvation. 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:41.660 There is help available from your creator and your covenant redeemer. 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:47.039 Now, why am I using the language of covenant and covenant redeemer? 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:49.779 Take a look with me at verse 4. 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:54.639 Indeed, he who watches over Israel when either slumber nor sleep. 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:59.059 Now, that's significant because verse 1 and 2 is the language of my. 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:02.480 Verses 5 to 8, the Lord watches over you. 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.539 The Lord is your shade. 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:06.180 But here, there's this thought of Israel. 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:11.180 So now we're thinking about God's covenant commitment. 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:16.660 His choosing and saving of a particular people, Israel. 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:22.160 Let's go back to the point of this pilgrimage journey that the worshippers are on. 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:24.620 Why are they heading to this festival to worship? 00:18:26.080 --> 00:18:33.460 They're worshipping to remember the God who has kept his covenant, who has acted in power to save his people. 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:37.259 It's all there in the book of Exodus, second book of the Bible. 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:43.400 This God who saves by his power to rescue them from slavery in Egypt. 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:49.779 And he does that in response both to his people's need and because he has made a promise. 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:51.140 And he will keep his promise. 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:56.240 And he saves them so that he can meet with his people. 00:18:56.680 --> 00:19:01.840 That he can bring them ultimately into the promised land to share life with him. 00:19:02.800 --> 00:19:10.900 And so they go three times a year to remember God's covenant love and faithfulness. 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:16.600 And vital to that whole process of salvation was a Passover lamb. 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.780 Was sacrifice. 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:20.300 Was blood. 00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:28.280 Judgment falls on the lamb and it passes over the offering, the worshipper. 00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:39.720 Vital to the new covenant, as we will remind ourselves later in our service, is Jesus, our Passover lamb. 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:44.580 The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:49.660 The lamb of God who establishes the new covenant through his broken body. 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:52.460 And his shed blood. 00:19:52.880 --> 00:20:00.060 And just like those pilgrims back in the day, we must believe this and we must remember it. 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:05.519 Here's one really important reason to gather Sunday by Sunday. 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:08.919 Here's why we share the Lord's Supper. 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:13.839 To remind ourselves of what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:15.539 Because we are prone to forget. 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:22.379 Psalm 121 reminds us God is up and working for us. 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:27.200 All day and all night for those who wait for him. 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:29.540 Those who trust in his son Jesus. 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:39.320 Now you will know by experience, I am sure, that despite trying to be faithful, yes, we often stagger. 00:20:40.760 --> 00:20:43.020 Often due to our own sin and weakness. 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:49.200 We might well fall at times due to troubles and circumstances. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:53.839 But God has promised to watch us and keep us. 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:59.400 So that in the end, we will stand before him. 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:10.080 It's important to recognize that to know this protection and to know this promise, we first need to know him as our God. 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:14.160 We need to know Jesus personally as Lord and Savior. 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:17.660 We need to recognize our guilt and our sin. 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:22.960 We need to acknowledge our need of him and his mercy, his help and his keeping. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:27.900 You need to ask him to forgive you and to give you new life. 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:41.420 And when you do, as a member of God's church and God's family, we are protected, eternally protected by a never-sleeping, always-keeping Savior. 00:21:44.060 --> 00:21:47.580 So our help comes from the Lord, the Creator, the Covenant Redeemer. 00:21:47.840 --> 00:21:51.660 Thirdly, our help comes from the Lord, our companion. 00:21:52.300 --> 00:21:54.400 Look with me at verses 5 and 6. 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:56.800 The Lord watches over you. 00:21:57.220 --> 00:22:00.040 The Lord is your shade at your right hand. 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:04.200 The sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:06.120 Now, the movement here is really important. 00:22:06.300 --> 00:22:07.940 We've been thinking about the church. 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.280 Israel represents the church. 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:13.700 Now, it zooms right in to the level of the individual. 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:17.759 The person trusting in Christ can say, 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:20.380 The Lord watches over me. 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:23.019 The Lord is my shade. 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:28.139 And there's a poetic image there that runs throughout the Bible. 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:30.339 The Lord is our shade. 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:36.319 And the image there has ideas of shelter and protection. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:39.180 Think of a canopy roof. 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.700 And you're eating outside. 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:47.639 The canopy roof, sometimes, sometimes, it shelters us from the sun. 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:55.759 Other times, most of the time, it shelters us from the rain when it comes. 00:22:57.140 --> 00:23:00.420 So a shade gives shelter and protection. 00:23:00.560 --> 00:23:02.780 And the Bible is full of different sheltering images. 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:09.740 A traveling foreigner finds shade and shelter through hospitality. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:17.700 A husband offers shelter and protection to his wife through sacrificial love and humble leadership. 00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:24.559 A judge in a town offers shelter to citizens by guaranteeing justice for all. 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:28.200 We began our service with Psalm 91. 00:23:28.679 --> 00:23:32.759 God offers shelter and protection like a mother bird. 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:37.099 Inviting us to find shelter under his wings. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:43.799 Maybe you remember that Jesus looked over Jerusalem and wept. 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:52.180 How I longed to gather you as a hen gathers her chicks, but you were not willing. 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:58.359 Jesus offers protection, but some people say no. 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:04.859 The Psalm reminds us that God invites us to run to him to find refuge and protection. 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:07.059 So he's like a shade for us. 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:10.119 But the poetry also works this way. 00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:13.579 The Lord is your shadow. 00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:19.599 Meaning that he comes so near to us. 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:23.379 He draws so close to us. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:26.519 It's as if his shadow falls on our path. 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:31.299 Remember as children playing that game when you're walking down the road and the sun's at your back 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:37.139 and the shadows lengthen and you try and stand on or step on the shadow of the person that you're with. 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:44.480 Or again, when the sun is behind you and you have that sense of someone on the path behind you 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:48.659 because all of a sudden you see that long shadow appear. 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:57.659 For the Christian, the Lord God comes that near to do us good. 00:24:57.660 --> 00:25:01.700 The shadow of the Almighty Maker falls on our path. 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:05.600 And because that's true, we will never be lost. 00:25:06.580 --> 00:25:11.340 We can never come to ultimate harm when the Lord is by our side. 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:18.680 Your God is your companion, is the message of Psalm 121. 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:23.400 Jesus is your friend who sticks closer than any brother. 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:29.920 Jesus is the good shepherd who walks beside us through those dark valleys 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:34.740 until we come to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:40.580 With Jesus as your Lord and your Savior and your friend, 00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:45.620 you will be, you are shaded from all harm. 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.820 And do you know how we can say that? 00:25:50.820 --> 00:25:52.980 Because we see what happens at the cross. 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:59.380 There on the cross, we have the Son of God, the perfect sinless Son of God, 00:25:59.540 --> 00:26:05.380 bearing the blazing heat of God's judgment on our behalf. 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:10.320 So that in Him, by faith in Him, we are sheltered and saved. 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:15.700 It falls on Him, so it will never fall on you. 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:23.279 So as we come to the last two verses, which really serve as a summary, 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:28.240 we discover that the help that comes from the Lord, 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.700 well, it's comprehensive. 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:36.120 This conclusion wants to leave us in no doubt that for the Christian, 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:39.059 my help comes from the Lord. 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:41.160 Bold, underline all caps. 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:43.779 The Lord will keep you from all harm. 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:45.140 He will watch over your life. 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:47.640 The Lord will watch over your coming and going, 00:26:48.040 --> 00:26:50.620 both now and forevermore. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:53.080 The level of His care. 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:57.400 It is not some basic third-party policy. 00:26:57.840 --> 00:27:00.200 It is fully comprehensive. 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:01.900 Did you hear the language? 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.300 Look at verse 7 again. 00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:05.879 Kept from all harm. 00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:07.220 No small print. 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:10.119 Kept at all times. 00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:12.839 All your comings and all your goings. 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:15.379 And kept for all time. 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:17.500 Now and forever. 00:27:18.159 --> 00:27:20.440 As we're reminded that God's great design 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:23.299 is to preserve those who trust in Jesus 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:27.059 until we get to heaven to be with Jesus. 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:30.220 So Alamutier puts it this way. 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:35.039 The pilgrim path is a sheltered area 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:40.319 and the pilgrim is a protected species. 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.180 I like that. 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:43.759 A protected species. 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:47.600 Some of you will know that one of our vet students, 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:49.160 Samuel from Singapore, 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:51.480 he's off to Indonesia for a month 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:54.240 to get involved in a conservation project 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:58.160 trying to figure out how to help the orangutans 00:27:58.160 --> 00:28:00.360 because of deforestation. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.340 So in that project, 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:04.400 government money and funding 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:06.900 and scientists and conservation experts 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:08.759 and local people on the ground, 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:10.380 they're all working together, 00:28:10.540 --> 00:28:11.680 pooling these resources 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:13.980 to see if they can protect the monkeys 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:16.680 from a dwindling forest. 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:24.700 The message that Psalm 121 leaves us with is this. 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:28.700 Christians are protected. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.840 Not by a government, 00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:34.320 not by a think tank, 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:37.779 but by the Lord, our creator. 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:41.640 The Lord, our covenant keeper. 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:43.640 The Lord, our companion. 00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:48.100 And he keeps us from those infinite resources 00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:49.100 at his disposal. 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:56.580 So our question as we close is this. 00:28:57.100 --> 00:28:57.780 Today, 00:28:58.600 --> 00:29:01.620 as we think about the troubles that we face, 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:04.719 can you say, 00:29:05.719 --> 00:29:06.799 my help, 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:09.239 it comes from the Lord. 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:12.879 I know him and I trust him. 00:29:13.739 --> 00:29:14.719 He is my savior. 00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:16.379 He is my friend. 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.219 That yes, 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:19.659 sometimes the path is hard, 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.859 but I believe 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:22.659 he will keep me now 00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:24.599 and forever more. 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:27.719 As we close, 00:29:28.459 --> 00:29:29.819 as we lift our eyes 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:31.199 from Psalm 121, 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:32.159 let me take you back 00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:33.039 just for a moment, 00:29:33.159 --> 00:29:34.759 back to Revelation 7. 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:36.779 That wonderful passage 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.459 that we read 00:29:37.459 --> 00:29:38.759 where this song, 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.539 this prayer 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.359 is finally 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:42.139 and perfectly answered. 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.859 Because Revelation 7 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:46.219 gives us this glorious future 00:29:46.219 --> 00:29:47.240 that is promised 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:48.179 for God's kept 00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:49.459 and protected people. 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.379 And what was the image? 00:29:51.439 --> 00:29:52.099 What did we have? 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:53.279 We had this huge, 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:54.920 multinational, 00:29:55.160 --> 00:29:57.180 multi-ethnic church, 00:29:58.079 --> 00:30:01.000 all worshipping the Lord together. 00:30:01.139 --> 00:30:01.920 There is the Lamb 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.319 at the center of the throne. 00:30:03.899 --> 00:30:04.980 And what is said 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:06.599 of that great crowd, 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:08.720 they have been taken out 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:10.240 of great tribulation. 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.460 They have passed through 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:13.079 all the troubles of life. 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.420 And there they are. 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.660 And in Christ, 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.700 there we will be 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:20.539 before the throne of God. 00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:23.259 And he who sits on the throne 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:25.920 he will shelter them 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.680 with his presence. 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:31.480 No more the scorching heat. 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:34.440 Because the Lamb 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.799 on the throne, 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:37.740 he is their shepherd. 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:40.559 And God himself, 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:42.160 this God, 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.940 will wipe away 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:45.619 every tear. 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:48.539 let's pray and give thanks 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.539 to God for his help. 00:30:51.219 --> 00:30:51.699 Lord, 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.459 our God, 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.179 we thank you 00:30:53.179 --> 00:30:54.099 that this psalm 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:56.219 is such a powerful 00:30:56.219 --> 00:30:57.539 reminder. 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.419 Its repetition 00:30:59.419 --> 00:31:00.619 says to us 00:31:00.619 --> 00:31:02.959 that you are our creator. 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:05.099 We haven't abandoned us 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:05.879 to ourselves. 00:31:06.419 --> 00:31:07.759 You don't sit back 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.539 at a distance 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:10.079 and watch things unfold. 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.339 But rather, 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.339 you are the God 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.519 who has made 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.919 covenant commitments. 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.519 And you will keep 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.699 and honor those. 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.819 And you have done it 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:20.099 in sending your son, 00:31:20.199 --> 00:31:20.919 the Lord Jesus. 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.579 We thank you 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:23.519 that he entered 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:25.339 into this world. 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:27.159 He sang this psalm, 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:28.319 trusting in you, 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.139 his father. 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:30.460 And now, 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:32.179 we trust him. 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:34.859 We trust in his perfect life, 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:36.599 his sacrificial death, 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:37.240 and the glory 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.399 of his resurrection. 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.919 We take heart 00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:40.659 in the promise 00:31:40.659 --> 00:31:41.579 that he will return 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.899 and make everything new, 00:31:43.219 --> 00:31:44.099 that he will take 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:44.679 his people 00:31:44.679 --> 00:31:45.959 to be with him forever, 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:48.019 that there is a day coming 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:49.559 when our life 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:50.519 will be perfect 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.359 in Christ, 00:31:51.939 --> 00:31:53.159 that for all eternity 00:31:53.159 --> 00:31:54.279 we will gladly 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:55.639 and joyfully worship, 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:57.139 safe, 00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:57.859 kept, 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.599 and protected 00:31:58.599 --> 00:32:00.159 from all harm 00:32:00.159 --> 00:32:02.559 by the God 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:03.399 who wipes away 00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:04.219 every tear, 00:32:05.179 --> 00:32:05.899 the God 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:07.240 who is pleased 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.100 to draw near. 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:09.740 And so we ask 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.740 that you would draw near 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.600 to us today 00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:14.360 in whatever our trouble is. 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.860 Help us to lift 00:32:15.860 --> 00:32:17.320 our eyes beyond it 00:32:17.320 --> 00:32:18.740 to the God 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:20.040 who made the hills, 00:32:20.620 --> 00:32:21.620 to the God 00:32:21.620 --> 00:32:23.240 who walked these hills, 00:32:24.100 --> 00:32:24.900 and to the God 00:32:24.900 --> 00:32:26.259 who in Christ 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:27.900 suffered and died 00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:28.860 to save us. 00:32:29.320 --> 00:32:30.080 And we pray it 00:32:30.080 --> 00:32:31.019 in Jesus' name. 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:31.800 Amen.