There’s a huge market in our modern world for “protective services”. I see the yard signs and hear the commercials daily for the alarm companies here in the good ‘ole USA. In a couple of weeks, during our mission adventure in Honduras, I will witness again that the signs at many businesses and the residences of the affluent will be supplemented with armed guards. The need to feel protected may well transcend national boundaries. It also seems to escape the confines of time.

The Psalmist echoed this desire that also existed in ancient Israel in the words of a question:

I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come? (Psalm 121:1)

The question was then answered with a reflection on God’s care:

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)

I love how the Psalmist then recounts the extent of God’s protective care. The Lord will not slumber or sleep. (That’s good, because the nighttime is when I often feel the least secure.) The Lord will protect me from the forces of nature, being a shade from the sun. The Lord will protect us from evil, and will keep our very lives.

And it ends beyond where I can even worry for today:

The Lord will keep our going out and our coming in from this time forth, and forever more. (Psalm 121:8)

With God watching over me, I feel pretty secure.

Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And I trust your care in the daytime too. Thank you for protecting me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen