The LORD - Builder and Watchman

"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." Ps 127:1

Two concepts are mentioned: that of building and that of watching, or keeping guard. Also, two items are listed: the house and the city.

The house is the dwelling place of the family. The house is built by laying brick upon brick, with good mortar joints in between. There are other components: adequate foundation, doors, windows, a roof, plumbing and electrical systems, furnishings etc.

If the builder does a good job, the house will stand for many years. But the Psalmist is not referring to the skill of the builder. He's saying that, if God is in the blueprints, the building will remain. If the house builders invite God to be the Construction Superintendent, including Him in all aspects of the construction, the end result will be a building that will stand the test of time.

The ancient city was surrounded by a wall, and had large, strong gates, all for the protection of the residents. At night the gate would be shut and secured, and a watchman would be on guard on the wall to see that no enemy was intruding. Inside the city walls were many houses. There was a market place where commerce was conducted, there were places of worship and also a building where food from the harvest was stored. And so the city was the center of communal life.

We are all builders. Every day we add something to our lives. The Psalmist's good advice is applicable to us, who live in the modern world: Make sure God is at the center of all that we do.

We have been set free!

"You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today." Deut 15:15

Today's verse is an extract from Bible history. The children of Israel were about to settle the Promised land. There were several things their leader, Moses, rehearsed with them before they entered their inheritance. One of these appears in today's verse as "this thing". Masters were to free all the servants whom they had bought over the years. The servant was to serve their master for six years. In the seventh year the master was commanded to set them free.

In freeing their bondmen, masters were to remember where they came from. They were all slaves in Egypt, a foreign land, and God redeemed them, setting them free. The word "redeemed" is translated from the Hebrew to mean sever, ransom, release, deliver. Verse 18 says, once the slave was released, "Then the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do."

Surely there is an application in this for us today - we were all slaves to sin at some point in our lives, and Jesus delivered us - He paid a price to set us free. The price He paid was "to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45). In gratitude, we would do well to tell others about One who can break their bonds.

God is, and all is well

"The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand." Psalm 121:5

The LORD is - The Psalmist mentions this twice in verse 5. The LORD - this is Jahweh, the Self-existent One, the Eternal One. God is, and all is well !

Your keeper - It's personal. But what is a keeper? The Hebrew word means to hedge about, as with thorns; to guard or protect. God puts a thorny hedge around you, to keep out the enemy.

Your shade - We all know how refreshing it is to stand in the cool shade of a tree on a sweltering hot day. To my amazement, I found that the word 'shade' occurs only once in the Bible. The Hebrew translates it as defense , as in 'to hover over'.

Excuse me for being visual, but do you get the picture? The guys are pinned down by enemy fire. Just at the crucial moment of desperation the gunship arrives. As the helicopter hovers overhead, spraying the enemy with fire-power, the guys scramble aboard and are airlifted to safety. You are one of the guys. What is your gratitude level, at that moment?

Maybe a weak illustration, but are we not engaged in a very real battle - the battle between good and evil? This verse paints a picture of God hovering over us as He defends us from Satan, our enemy. He spreads His shadow of defense over us.

Your right hand - Right, in the Hebrew, denotes the stronger, more dexterous. Biblically, the word "right" is quite an in-depth study. It often depicts God's favor, as in Zechariah 3:1 "…and Satan standing at his (Joshua's) right hand to oppose him." Satan wanted to crush Joshua's strength, his connection with God.

Or Luke 1:11 "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him (Zacharias), standing on the right side of the altar of incense." This angel brought good news.

Your right hand is symbolic of your connection with God.

Go into this day, knowing the Eternal God is overhead, and you are safe in His shadow.

God sees you - He knows your need

"Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:4

Verse four is a continuation of verse three - "He who keeps you will not slumber."

But the Psalmist broadens God's watchfulness to include Israel - at that time, the whole nation of Israel; in our time, the whole world - all who believe on His name. The name "Israel" was given to Jacob after he wrestled with the Angel of the covenant. The name literally means 'the one who has struggled with God and with men, and has overcome'. How are you doing in your struggle?

Behold, He - Look! Our attention is called to God; Look at the One who is. He said of Himself "I AM." Because God is, was, and will be, His children are secure - we are in Good Hands. We do not need to fear what lies ahead, because He has led us from the past to the present!

Who keeps Israel - The Hebrew word 'keeps' means to hedge about (as with thorns). What an awesome illustration of God's protection, so that the enemy cannot get to us!

Shall neither slumber - To slumber is to drift off, from drowsiness. Have you been driving on a long trip? After several hours at the wheel you tend to become drowsy. Then you realize the danger, and pull off the highway at a rest area and get some sleep. All of us know what it is to be tired. We seem to never get enough sleep. But God does not get tired. (Read Isaiah 40:28.) He is awake and alert at all times.

Nor sleep - Sleep: the taking of several hours of deep, entire physical rest, as when the body lies comfortably on a bed. Sleep restores the physical and mental powers. We all need a daily dose of sleep. God does not need to sleep.

So, our verse can be written: Look at God, the One who has put a hedge of protection around His people so that the enemy cannot harm them. He will be alert at all times to their every need.

Go confidently into this day, knowing that the Great I AM sees you, knows your circumstances and takes care of you.

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!