stephen R Harrison

The Israelites would travel up the mountain to Jerusalem to worship festivals each year in the spring, summer, and fall. As the psalmist traveled with a group of worshippers, their anticipation and expectations increased as they sang Psalm 121 to the Lord. In this psalm of ascent, the psalmist was the leader of the group and sang, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (vv. 1-2). In response to the his first two verses of personal praise to the Lord (in first person “I” and “my”), those who ascended to worship with him replied back in the remaining verses with six variations of “the Lord watches over you” (in second person “you”). Can you hear their worshipful call and response? Can you see them ascending the mountain? They didn’t wait till they got to Jerusalem to worship. They worshipped all the way there and all the way back home!

It’s can be easier to worship in church on Sunday morning than it is during the week. Surrounded by the people of God and in the house of God, the cares and trials of the world seem to melt away. Where it can be difficult to worship is on the Monday-Saturday way to and from church. Notice how the psalmist kept his eyes on the mountain of God, asked himself a question, and followed up with the answer? Just like the psalmist, we must remind ourselves where our help comes from. Help does not come from the mountains. As grand as they may be, the creation can never surpass the Creator. The journey to the worship festivals was long and hard. One could give up, become weary, or be hurt because the travel was difficult. One could also be beaten by robbers or attacked by wild animals if traveling alone in certain parts of the country at night. Worry, fear, isolation, weariness, hurt, and a host of other issues could keep the psalmist and his companions from worshipping. Traveling in groups would bring some safety and encouragement. Their call and response in worship would help keep their focus on the Lord and remind them of their precious brothers and sisters in the faith. While they needed one another, just as we do today, their strength for the arduous and treacherous journey ahead and back home was not found in themselves or their numbers. Their help came from the Lord.

When you’re set on worshipping the Lord, nothing can get in your way. The Lord would not allow the Israelite’s feet to slip on the rocky path because He made those rocks (v. 3). He makes our paths straight and secure as well. Though their pilgrimage would be tiring, God never slept or slumbered, and He would watch over them as they rested and renew their strength to continue the next day (v. 4). He supplies and renews our strength today. While they were out in the elements day and night, the Lord would be their shade and guide (vv. 5-6). He is our shelter and strength as well. The Lord would watch over their journey and protect them from the perils of robbers and wild animals (v. 7). How many times has the Lord kept us safe while we were unaware! As they traveled to Jerusalem and back home after the festivals, the Lord would watch over them. He watches over us more than on Sunday morning worship! He watched over them and us “both now and forevermore” (v. eight)!

Questions:

1. Are you worshipping the Lord to and from church on Sunday?
2. Is the Lord your strength and shelter on your journey of worship in life?
3. Can you worship the Lord on the way up the mountain as much as you do on the way down it?

Prayer:
Lord, the journey of this life can be difficult and dangerous, but You are my strength and shelter. Thank You for Your presence that brings provision and protection. Thank You for blessing my coming and my going. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.