Luke asked me at the beginning of this week if it would be possible for me to write something about the attack on the U.S. Capitol. I immediately responded, yes, of course. Like most of you, I felt a deep sense of sadness, anger, and shock. What could I say? I had no words.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse.
Unfortunately, for most in these times of trouble, the Bible is not the go-to source for help. Our help in processing a modern-day crisis comes through some news or social media outlet. Shouldn’t we, especially Christians, look to the timeless, unshakable, unchangeable Word for our help?
Psalm 121 is one of the Psalms of Ascents. The children of Israel would sing these particular psalms as they made their way up to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast. In an extremely dramatic way, Yeshua declared Isaiah’s words that one day, this same house would be a House of Prayer for all nations. (Mark 11:15-17)
This psalm, as with most of the Psalms of Ascent, is directional. “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. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber.”
Where are these mountains the Psalmist is talking about? He answers with emphasis, “Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Israel? Yes, Israel. Is that a spiritual Israel or a physical Israel? The question is important because it divides those steeped in replacement theology (no hope) and those who believe in the physical reality of God’s Word (tangible hope); much like you believe God spoke a touchable, seeable creation into being. Why do we believe strongly in one and not the other? (Ephesians 2:11,12)
The Psalmist declares that if we look towards these mountains (Israel), “The LORD will watch over you – the LORD will be your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 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.” (Psalms 121:1-8)
This psalm, as with so much of the Bible, is replete with God’s specific path for each of us in times of trouble. May I suggest listening to another modern-day psalm? Like our biblical psalms, this psalm was written by a Jew and like our biblical psalms written by imperfect men – with hope.
One day – someday, It will all turn around!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRmBChQjZPs – I apologize – it’s YouTube…. One day! ;)
God has a plan. It will be glorious!
