Psalm 121:5

Psalm 121:5

The Mountain Rescue Team

Insurance companies promise us much in the way of protection, they are an essential part of modern life, but while they gladly take our money when all is going well, it can be a different story when there are claims to be made! Not so with our God, He is our insurance against the judgements of the future and also against the daily obstacles and dangers that are put in our way, sometimes deliberately! The devil fires his arrows but many fall short or pass harmlessly overhead because the Lord watches over us. We should never forget this promise, “The Lord watches over you.” It is at once both a deterrent and an encouragement. A deterrent because He sees all that happens in secret, we cannot hide from Him. An encouragement because He is our shield and defender and woe betide anyone, either on earth or in the heavenly places, who tries to harm us. 

Psalm 17:8 says, “Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.” This “hiding in the shadow” was a common Hebrew metaphor for protection, be it from enemies or from the oppressive heat of the noonday sun. If you remember, the Israelites had a pillar of cloud that sheltered them from the sun, on their journey through the wilderness. They likened this to the outstretched wings of a great bird; the Lord had spread His wings over them so that they need not fear the oppressive heat of the sun at its zenith. The old hymn reminds us, “Under His wings I am safely abiding….” And so it is to this day, all who trust in Him are protected and guarded, in ways that no Policy with the “Pru” could ever do!

One last point from this Psalm, note that He is at our right hand i.e. we are on His left. The right hand speaks of power and authority, as we walk through the ups and downs of our daily lives the Lord is with us, He never leaves us. This Psalm is all about a journey, a journey through the mountains, a journey that could easily be dangerous and is fraught with pitfalls, but we need not fear, we are never alone, and a heavenly Mountain Rescue team walks with us. Hallelujah!

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