GOD’S CHILDREN NEED NOT FEAR

GOD’S CHILDREN NEED NOT FEAR

 

Our Daily Bread’s daily devotion for today is about Psalm 121.  The writers, informative and a blessing as always, note that this Psalm  was “sung” by pilgrims on their journey to celebrate one of three “Godatory” (“mandatory” just does not seem to be appropriate) feasts in Jerusalem (Ex. 23:14-17).  For some, if not all, the trip was dangerous due to the terrain and the threat of robbers lying in wait (Lk. 10:30).  This Psalm served to comfort the travelers by reminding them trust in our all-sufficient God. 

Psalm 121:    

[1] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

[2] My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

[3] He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

[4] Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

[5] The LORD is thy Keeper: the LORD is thy Shade upon thy right hand.

[6] The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

[7] The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

[8] The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Today’s devotion pointed out that the Hebrew שָׁמַר (shamar), appears six times in five of the eight verses of this Psalm.  It is translated “keepeth” in verses three and four, “Keeper” in verse five, and “preserve,” twice in verse seven, and once in verse eight.  In each, the context determines which English word is the best translation.  And, although the King James uses three different words, all clearly show that the Jewish travelers were counting on their all-powerful God to protect them. Whatever “journey” you are on today, whether it be illness which threatens as “through the valley of the shadow of death,” or in the presence of your “enemies,” or merely being hungry and thirsty, Almighty God will not fail you. God has given His children His Word on it! 

 

[1] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

 http://skipslighthouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/gods-children-need-not-fear.html