Does God need a nap?
Psalm 121 is a very short chapter.
That's it, in its entirety. But although it is small, there is so much truth in here about living your life day-in and day-out. One thing I've learned from KJ is that "nothing takes God by surprise", and this chapter is evidence of that. Yet, even in knowing that, I've forgotten what that phrase really means. I've grown complacent.
"He who watches over you will not slumber." There will never come a time when God's eyes are not on you, and you slip, and he isn't there to catch you and set things straight.
"The Lord is your shade at your right hand." Just like your shadow follows your body as you walk in the daylight, God is ever present. You may go about your business, not thinking about the shadow at your side, but that doesn't mean that the shadow goes away. In the same way, God is always there, whether you consciously register him or not. He is always, continually, without ceasing with you.
"The Lord will keep you from all harm." If he is always, continually, without ceasing watching you, and always, continually, without ceasing right there beside you and always, continually, without ceasing has his hand on you, then he can and will keep you safe.
I remember learning to ride my bike. My mother would stand behind me with one hand on my shoulder -- a warm loving hand that reassured me that she was there -- and another hand on the sparkly-big-blue banana seat. Yeah. I'm old.
As I pedaled, sometimes she would remove her hand from my shoulder, but she never let go of that seat. If I started to waver, there she was, setting me upright again. I never hit the ground, and I was never hurt.
How much more powerful is God? And how much more important the tasks that he is asking of us?
Father, in the past two weeks, I've become spiritually lazy. You've taken your hand from my shoulder, and I've considered that you have grown distant from me, or that you've taken a break from my life -- that somehow, you've grown tired or needed a nap. But you haven't. You are right here. Forgive me for doubting your sovereignty and might. Teach me again, Father as I submit my trust to you.
I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you-- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
That's it, in its entirety. But although it is small, there is so much truth in here about living your life day-in and day-out. One thing I've learned from KJ is that "nothing takes God by surprise", and this chapter is evidence of that. Yet, even in knowing that, I've forgotten what that phrase really means. I've grown complacent.
"He who watches over you will not slumber." There will never come a time when God's eyes are not on you, and you slip, and he isn't there to catch you and set things straight.
"The Lord is your shade at your right hand." Just like your shadow follows your body as you walk in the daylight, God is ever present. You may go about your business, not thinking about the shadow at your side, but that doesn't mean that the shadow goes away. In the same way, God is always there, whether you consciously register him or not. He is always, continually, without ceasing with you.
"The Lord will keep you from all harm." If he is always, continually, without ceasing watching you, and always, continually, without ceasing right there beside you and always, continually, without ceasing has his hand on you, then he can and will keep you safe.
I remember learning to ride my bike. My mother would stand behind me with one hand on my shoulder -- a warm loving hand that reassured me that she was there -- and another hand on the sparkly-big-blue banana seat. Yeah. I'm old.
As I pedaled, sometimes she would remove her hand from my shoulder, but she never let go of that seat. If I started to waver, there she was, setting me upright again. I never hit the ground, and I was never hurt.
How much more powerful is God? And how much more important the tasks that he is asking of us?
Father, in the past two weeks, I've become spiritually lazy. You've taken your hand from my shoulder, and I've considered that you have grown distant from me, or that you've taken a break from my life -- that somehow, you've grown tired or needed a nap. But you haven't. You are right here. Forgive me for doubting your sovereignty and might. Teach me again, Father as I submit my trust to you.
posted by Jerry Hanel @ 1/04/2008 08:30:00 AM
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