Reading: Psalm 121

Verse 8: “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Verses 1-2 are a declaration of the psalmist’s trust and faith in the Lord our God. The author declares that help comes from the Lord. These verses may be words we claim too. These words can be read as our words, as words that declare our faith.

Verses 3-8 define the help that can come from the Lord. They are things that the psalmist has experienced and offers to us and to others as something that we or they can experience. If you’re not quite ready to claim verses 1-2 as your own, then these remaining verses offer evidence of the ways that God can be your help. God will guard your steps and will be your protector. God will watch over you “both now and forevermore.” As we journey in faith, trusting in God just a little, we come to see that God is always faithful. This allows us to trust just a little more. Perhaps this has been your experience long enough that you do claim all of the words of the psalmist as your words. Perhaps these words are your declaration too – words of faith and trust in a God who will always be your help.

Claiming these words as our own – whether now or at some point on your journey – we must ask: how do we, like the psalmist, proclaim and declare them so that others can know the Lord as their help? This is our charge: to share the good news. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, in whatever way I can, help me declare that you are my help and my shield, my defender and my guide. With words and actions may I share the good news with all I meet. Amen.