Messages
from the Bible
Psalm 121
A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick
This favorite Psalm is one of a group known as the "Songs of Ascent", used by pilgrims coming to Jerusalem, to the
temple on Mount Zion. The poem has four stanzas, each with an opening statement followed by an explanation. The
intent of this Psalm is to bring encouragement to the weary travelers as they approach the city to worship during the
festival. From this passage we will talk about "hills" and "eyes".
I. First a couple of thoughts about "hills", or "mountains":
B. In Scripture, the "hills", are places for worship, used by the Canaanites. Remember Balaam? (Numbers 23:3)
2. And whenever a righteous king took over the throne, one of the marks of his faithfulness to the Lord was that He
removed the high places. (For example Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18:4 "He removed the high places, and brake the
images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days
the children of Israel did burn incense to it.")
3. The prophets often complained about this (Ezekiel 16:24, 25)
4. But it wasn't just the pagans, Israel also worshipped the Lord on the "high places". For example, in the story of
Samuel. (1 Samuel 9:12 - "there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place")
And remember the great prayer of Solomon, the prayer for wisdom that God honored? (1 Kings 3:4 - "that was the
great high place).
Also notice this wonderful promise: Isaiah 57:15 - "For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever,
whose name is holy: 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the
spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"
Although I go to the high place (I go to church), it is not the high place or the church which provides the help - it is the
Lord.
D. Let's talk about church attendance for a moment.
2. And it seems there's always an ample supply of excuses to keep us away from the church. Listen to the words of
this song by Lavernon Davis:
3. Every now and then we need to revisit the question, "Why do we come to church?" Is it to get our needs met?
Isn't this rather selfish? Yes, we do receive blessings from God by attending church. But there are more noble
reasons - Worshipping God, Ministering to Others, and Cooperating with World wide Evangelism. (Let's not allow
the "consumer mentality" to become the mindset of the church.)
Then let me remind you, God's power is greater, He is the creator of the universe! So can He help you? What a foolish
question.
We need to start looking up, instead of down, up instead of around.
"It seems to be the one universal power that this sin-smitten world possesses over its creatures - it bends their shoulders, it bows their heads, it gives, it keeps the downward look. And what do we see when we look down? Much of self, of man, and of things. The hurry and hustle of thousands who are hastening to be rich. And the shadow of God's curse on sin resting everywhere. It is this down-looking that makes us so weak." R. Tuck
The reference to "Israel" must be understood as a reference to the "the people of God". Remember the song, "Every
promise in the book is mine"? Well, there are some which are exclusively for particular people, or for Israel, but most
are also applicable to us today - this is a wonderful promise for you and the church.
2. He "neither slumbers nor sleeps".
What is in mind here is the watchman who may fall asleep on the watch - the human watchman will fail.
3. But the Lord not only watches, he keeps, he protects.
He will not let the foot slip, this of course again referring to travelers finding their way along rough paths.
He provides shade from sun and moon, forces over which we have no control. This is particularly comforting to
travelers.
We understand the need of protection from the sun, but what about the moon? Is this a reference to the popular
notion that the full moon causes craziness? In primitive times, they felt the moon could bring harm to man and
animals. Thus they would cover their head with their outer garment while sleeping.
To use another analogy, note that the protection is on the right side, the portion less protected by the shield.
The coming and going may refer to going to church and home, but more than that, referring to the activity of life,
family, business, and social relations - all the activities of life.
However, in Scripture the "coming in" has to do with "gladness" ("I will enter His gates with thanksgiving"), and the
"going out" has to do with sorrow (Revelation 3:12 - "go no more out").
But this is not referring to the physical safety, but the safety of our soul, eternal life, thus the ending word,
"forevermore". Yes, we care about the material, the physical side of life. We are to be stewards of these bodies of
ours. But that's not the priority. The priority is our eternal safety.
Looking to the Hills
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A. It's understandable why hills or mountains would bring inspiration, they seem majestic, and perhaps even eternal.
(Where I come from, the Atlantic Ocean is what brings awe. But we had a student minister in the church who was from
the west, and he would often talk about his longing for the mountains. I've seen the Rockies only once, when stuck at
the Denver, Colorado Airport coming and going from ND to Oregon, and I quickly understood what my friend meant.)
II. Now let's talk about "eyes".
1. When the people turned from the Lord, they would often build "high places" - (1 Kings 14:23 "For they also built
them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.")
C. But here's a question for you, is it possible that we are guilty of looking to the "hills" instead of God for our help? If the
"hills" are where people gather for worship, then today the church would represent the "hills". I come from New England,
and there the First Church is often at the top of the hill, so this makes good sense. In fact it does seem there are those
who are looking to the church to meet their needs. While the Lord does use the church, our faith should not be there.
1. It seems that too many are beginning to view church attendance as a religious duty, and with this comes the idea
of trying to get away with as little as possible. In some cases this translates out to be a 45 minute service. One
pastor had a better idea - "drive up church". Come through the drive up lane, stop at the window to get a piece of
unleavened cracker and a cup of juice, then speed on your way! For others there seems to be a resentment over
having to come to church more than once a week. Stay, or come early for Sunday School? Return to Sunday
evening service? Some people don't like it when church services are planned on a holiday. "How dare you
desecrate the Holy Memorial Day barbecue by expecting people to come to church Sunday evening!" Perhaps the
words to the familiar Psalm have been changed to "I was mad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of
the Lord."
E. So, while we go to the hills, but we must understand that our "help comes from God", the maker of the hills.
He is the Creator of the universe, and the earth - He is all powerful. The vastness and power in the Universe is beyond
our comprehension. Recently scientists claimed that the satellite telescopes recorded a great explosion in space. It was
possibly caused by a black hole gobbling up a star, but this is how the power of this explosion was described. If all the
nuclear bombs we have on earth were to be detonated on the sun, the explosion would last for one hundredth of a
second. On the other hand, this outer space explosion had so much power it would set off an explosion on the sun which
could last hundreds of years.
A. First, my part. I must decide to "lift up my eyes"
Conclusion:
It seems most of us are prone to keep our eyes fixed on the things at our feet, and things around us. That's why I don't
understand why people polish their shoes (except for those who are in the military, and need to pass the inspection).
I don't see my feet, and I don't go around looking at other people's shoes. It's like what Don Loney
used to say, "I know my face is no star, but I don't mind it, I'm behind it, it's the folks out front get the jar."
B. Then what is God's part? His part also has to do with eyes - He keeps His eyes on us.
1. Note the sequence here, the promise first is to the individual, then the whole of Israel. (v.2 - "he who watches over
you" - - "he who watches over Israel")
Do you feel safe? You may slip and fall as you leave the church today, and hurt your knee. But will you slip and fall and
hurt your soul, your eternal destiny? Not if you're looking to the Lord. Is this what is called "eternal security"? Well, yes, if
we understand that the promise is made to those whose full trust is in the Lord.
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