He keeps your foot from slipping

"He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber." Psalm 121:3

The original word "moved" in Hebrew means to waver, to slip, to shake or to fall. That gives meaning to the first part of our verse: He, the LORD, will not allow your foot to slip. If you stand firmly on the sure Rock, He will see to it that you don't slip and fall.

The same word "moved" is used in Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."

A further application can be made: If you decide to do what is right, He will help you to stand firm in your decision.

He who keeps you will not slumber: God is awake at all times - He sees everything that takes place in His great universe. He keeps His hand over you, guards you. He keeps your feet in place, so that you do not slip.

With the promise in verse 3, go into this day with confidence!

The Sustaining Meal

"Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you." 1 Kings 19:7

Today's verse comes from the story of Elijah, the day after he, along with the king and nation of Israel, had seen and experienced God's incredible victory over idolatry on Mount Carmel. The hearts of the people had been drawn back to God. Upon Elijah was bestowed the highest honor God can give to one who labors for Him - to see people giving their hearts to the Lord. But, just when Elijah was riding the crest of the wave of spiritual adrenalin, it crashed on the shore (ever been there?) as he heard the terrifying news that the wicked queen Jezebel wanted his head. And so he "ran for his life." (verse 3)

Arise and eat - Elijah, weary from running into the wilderness, was awakened by an angel, who had prepared a second meal for him. The message was simple, the same one the angel had spoken at the first meal he prepared: wake up, get up and eat. Have you noticed? - there's something about mealtimes that just makes life more pleasant. When you're tired from your labors, and you're eating a meal you didn't prepare, your spirits are revived and life is good!

The journey is too great for you - We must remember that the journey Elijah had embarked upon was not mapped out by God. It was the result of unbelief and fear. He was running away from what God had called him to do. He was at such a low ebb that he prayed that he might die (verse 4). It was the same journey another prophet (Jonah) had taken, when God told him to go and preach to the people in the city of Nineveh.

Elijah had left his servant at Beersheba and was 'traveling light.' Yet God sent an angel to sustain Elijah as he was fleeing. There was no rebuke, no scolding, no finger of God in his face. The angel said, "the journey is too great for you. You cannot attempt it without eating." Sometimes in life we take the same path as that of Elijah. We find ourselves running from the tasks we should be doing, traveling into a dry wilderness. But the Eternal God is patient with us, and sends heaven's resources to assist us, even when we are consumed by fear. What a God!

Today you are challenged to get up and eat. He has food for you. God says, "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." Psalm 81:10.

My help comes from the LORD

"My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2

The psalmist makes a bold statement, for he has learned by experience where his help comes from.

My help comes from the LORD - The psalmist uses the word "my". He has personally been helped in every need. This is the answer to the question in verse 1: "From whence comes my help?" It's as if he wants each one who reads this psalm to experience God's help for themselves.

Who made heaven and earth - The psalmist expands on the word LORD; this is the One who created heaven and earth. ("For He spoke, and it was done - He commanded and it stood fast." Psalm 33:9) The Creator, the One who brought everything into existence is the One to whom we can turn for help.

Do you need help today? Go to Jesus, the Source of all help. You can boldly write your name in place of the word "my" in verse 2. Is that not awesome!