Our little grandson waved goodbye, then turned back with a question. “Grandma, why do you stand on the porch and watch until we leave?” I smiled at him, finding his question “cute” because he’s so young. Seeing his concern, however, I tried to give a good answer. “Well, it’s a courtesy,” I told him. “If you’re my guest, watching until you leave shows I care.” He weighed my answer, but still looked perplexed. So, I told him the simple truth. “I watch,” I said, “because I love you. When I see your car drive away, I know you’re safely heading home.” He smiled, giving me a tender hug. Finally, he understood.
His childlike understanding reminded me what all of us should remember—that our heavenly Father is constantly watching over each of us, His precious children. As Psalm 121 says, “The
What assurance for Israel’s pilgrims as they climbed dangerous roads to Jerusalem to worship. “The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The
Our loving Father, as we travel the road of life, thank You for watching over us, keeping us safe.
INSIGHT
Psalm 121 is one of the “songs of ascent” (Psalms 120–134). Three times a year, at the great feasts of Unleavened Bread (Passover), Firstfruits (Pentecost), and Ingathering (Tabernacles), the Jewish people were to gather together for worship (Exodus 23:15–17). The songs of ascent were to be sung by the pilgrims as they made their way up to Jerusalem. As one of these songs, Psalm 121 is a song for the journey and speaks about seeking God’s help amid the dangers that could be encountered along the way. These dangers might include slipping (v. 3) and sunstroke or lunacy (moon madness, v. 6). During a dangerous journey, rather than looking to the high places where false gods were worshiped, God’s people were encouraged to look to God for help—“the Maker of heaven and earth” (v. 2).