1A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. I look up to the mountains -- does my help come from there?2My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth!3He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep.4Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps.5The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.6The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night.7The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life.8The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christnotes.org)
"Chapter Contents
The safety of the godly.
We must not rely upon men and means, instruments and second causes. Shall I depend upon the strength of the hills? upon princes and great men? No; my confidence is in God only. Or, we must lift up our eyes above the hills; we must look to God who makes all earthly things to us what they are. We must see all our help in God; from him we must expect it, in his own way and time. This psalm teaches us to comfort ourselves in the Lord, when difficulties and dangers are greatest. It is almighty wisdom that contrives, and almighty power that works the safety of those that put themselves under God's protection. He is a wakeful, watchful Keeper; he is never weary; he not only does not sleep, but he does not so much as slumber. Under this shade they may sit with delight and assurance. He is always near his people for their protection and refreshment. The right hand is the working hand; let them but turn to their duty, and they shall find God ready to give them success. He will take care that his people shall not fall. Thou shalt not be hurt, neither by the open assaults, nor by the secret attempts of thine enemies. The Lord shall prevent the evil thou fearest, and sanctify, remove, or lighten the evil thou feelest. He will preserve the soul, that it be not defiled by sin, and disturbed by affliction; he will preserve it from perishing eternally. He will keep thee in life and death; going out to thy labour in the morning of thy days, and coming home to thy rest when the evening of old age calls thee in. It is a protection for life. The Spirit, who is their Preserver and Comforter, shall abide with them for ever. Let us be found in our work, assured that the blessings promised in this psalm are ours."
I love that so many of the psalms are themed around looking to God for help of various kinds. We all need help. So comforting that there is someone there to give it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. In vs. 4 and 5, the Psalmist says that God is looking over us, even while we sleep. So many nights, I've been sleepless due to worry. Then I remember to just turn it all over to God. Let Him handle it, so that I don't have to worry any longer.
DeleteI was supposed to work today and was about 7 miles down the highway when my pager went off--they didn't need me at work so I could turn around and go home. I had just passed 2 cars in the ditch due to black ice and road conditions were bad. I got back home safely. I have hardly been working this winter and am feeling a little stir-crazy ... but ... who knows what I would have encountered on the highway today (or over the past month if I had worked more). I really struggle with feeling purposeless when I'm not working any hours but then I have to remember that maybe, just maybe, God's purpose for me is different than what I think I should be doing to be "productive". It's an ongoing battle for me, honestly.
ReplyDeleteKris,
DeleteSometimes, I think God just wants us to have more time for rest and reflection, so that we can truly be there for the people He has placed in our lives. I think it's so difficult to know what type of life we were designed to have. We look around, and the rest of the world seems to be hustling here and there, and our own lives don't seem to mesh up with it.
As women of God, we have a different role in this world. We have people who need us to support them, and help foster their walk with God. It's not that God doesn't want you to work for pay, or work less for pay. But right now might be your "season" to build your own walk with Him, support your husband's faith, be there for your parents/extended family, and neighbors/friends, and help your children to grow in faith. All of that takes time and energy. God may be sparing your time/energy so that you can fulfill that role that He has set before you.
This is the conclusion that I've reached for my own life. I continue to look for a challenging work situation, but I am starting to relax a bit about finding that perfect job immediately. And most recently, a couple of family members have been going through trials, and really needed my support. I think this is where I'm supposed to be, and just trust that we'll be provided for, without my earning much.