April 20: Help From a Faithful Father

Psalm 121 is one of my favorite psalms, and I find myself coming back to it often, especially in seasons of uncertainty.

Over 25 years ago I memorized and first meditated on Psalm 121. At that time I was pregnant with our fourth child. When labor began and I was admitted to the hospital, my room overlooked beautiful rolling hills. As labor progressed, I set my eyes on those hills as I inhaled and exhaled Psalm 121. “I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth” (1-2). Truly, the Lord watched over me and helped me through my most difficult labor.

Recently I once again returned to Psalm 121, seeking comfort and security in these troubling times. Psalm 121 is a Song of Ascent that was sung by weary travelers who placed their trust in God while on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 

Six times in this psalm we find the word “keep” or “keeper” (vv. 3,4,5,7,8). The Hebrew word is “shamar” and means “to guard or to watch over.” No one is nearer to us than God. He is a tireless worker who never wearies nor sleeps. He is always looking after us, at all times—morning, noon, and night. He is our defense and protection (shade – v. 5). Therefore, we can absolutely place our trust in God. He will guard and watch over us in every season, regardless how difficult.

The psalmist, however, is not promising we will be free from hardship, pain, or failure, but he is promising that we will always be upheld by our Faithful Father. Through all of life’s adversities, He will keep us, for nothing and no one can snatch us from His hand (John 10:27-30). There is no weapon of man nor of Satan and no danger in this world that prevents God from protecting us (Matthew 10:28)! Though we are certainly vulnerable in this fallen world, our souls are perpetually safe in Him. “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore” (v. 8).

Thank you, Father God,

that you are faithful to keep us, always.

Help us to trust you more fully.

Shelter in Peace,

Sharon Collard