The Divine Helper

Matthew Davis

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Psalm 121

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Pastor Matt Davis – The Divine Helper – Psalm 121

Introduction

“A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: The Lordis thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.[1]”

The Help V. 1

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.[2]”

1. Many experiences cause fear and concern

2. Many ask, “Where can I turn?”

I. Look Up—His Overshadowing Wings—Ps. 91:4

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.[3]”

A. We don’t always look in the right places

B. We look to God and find Him sufficient

1. Ruth 2:12; 2 Cor. 12:9

(Ruth) “The Lordrecompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. [4]”

(2 Cor) “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [5]”

A. Lift up your eyes in prayer. Man’s only hope is in God, and the only way to reach God is through prayer.

B. Lift up your eyes in praise. Praise opens the communication lines between God and man.

God’s people should never be found “looking down” but should always be “looking up”—up to the Lord.[6]

II. Look Down—His Everlasting Arms—Deut. 33:27a

“The eternal God is thy refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms:.[7]”

A. Peter looked down and saw waves—Matt. 14:30

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. [8]”

B. Faith sees God’s strong arms

1. Children of Israel—Ps. 77:15

“Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.[9]”

2. Jesus and children—Mark 10:16

“And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.[10]”

3. We are His children—Matt. 10:28–31

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. [11]”

III. Look Around—His Encamping Angels—Ps. 34:7

“The angel of the Lordencampeth Round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.[12]”

A. This was a testimony of personal experience

1. David and Goliath—1 Sam. 17:32–37

“And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. [13]”

B. Many others could also testify

1. Elisha and servant—2 Kings 6:15–18

“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. [14]”

2. Daniel—Dan. 6:22

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. [15]”

3. Peter in prison—Acts 5:19

“But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, [16]”

IV. Look Inside—His Peace—Phil. 4:7

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [17]”

A. This is the only place some have to look for help

1. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” (FDR)

2. Let God’s peace rule—Col. 3:15

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. [18]”

The Person V. 2

“My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.[19]”

A. The omnipotent God. The God who is able to do all things. See Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:10–12.

(Col) “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [20]”

(Heb) “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. [21]”

B. The omnipresent God. The God who is at all places at the same time. He is Spirit, and a spirit can be at all places at the same time—John 4:24.

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. [22]”

C. The omniscient God. The God who knows all things. He is eternal and knows everything.[23]

The Protection VV. 3-4

“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.[24]”

A. Unknown protection. Many times, unknown to us, He is with us, protecting us from evil and danger.

B. Unseen protection. Though we may not see Him, nor His hand, we know He is protecting us.[25]

Ephesians 6:10-18 – “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints[26]”

The Power VV. 5-6

“The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.[27]”

A. Person—v. 5. He is our keeper (preserver). He is personal. He can be felt. We can speak to Him. We can depend upon Him at all times.

B. Protection—v. 6. Nothing can touch us or hurt us without His permission.[28]

The Preservation VV. 7-8

“The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.[29]”

A. Evil—v. 7. Keeping us from evil. However, He can keep us only as we cooperate with Him.

Psalm 51:12 – “12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.[30]”

B. Eternal—v. 8. He will preserve us forever. See Rom. 8:35–39.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.[31]”

He can and will keep us, if we only cooperate with Him and abide in Him. See 1 Peter 1:5.[32]

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [33]”

Summary

We can find help by

1. Looking up to His overshadowing wings,

2. Looking down to His everlasting arms,

3. Looking around to His encamping angels,

4. Looking inside to His peace.

The Lord God is the creator of the universe, He is Omnipotent, able to do all things. He is omnipresent, able to be always in all places. And He os Omniscient, knowing all things.

As we put on the full armor of God, we can stand in faith trusting that He will protect us.

The word keeper, or preserve, shows up six times in this chapter. God keeps us in the following ways:

1. He keeps the Soul (v. 7

2. He keeps from Oppression. “The Lord thy Shade” (vv. 5, 6).

3. He keeps from Evil (v. 7).

4. He keeps while in the routine of Daily Business.“Thy going out and thy coming in” (v. 8).

5. He keeps to the End. “Even for evermore.”[34]

Invitation

C. May the Lord give you peace today—2 Thess. 3:16.[35]

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, [36]”

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 121). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 121:1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 91:4). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ru 2:12). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 2 Co 12:9). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [6]Pentz, C. M. (1974). Sermon Outlines from the Psalms (p. 60). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. [7] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Dt 33:27). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [8] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Mt 14:30). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [9] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 77:15). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [10] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Mk 10:16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [11] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Mt 10:28–31). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [12] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 34:7). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [13] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Sa 17:32–37). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [14] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 2 Ki 6:15–18). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [15] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Da 6:22). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [16] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ac 5:19). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [17] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Php 4:7). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [18] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Col 3:15). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [19] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 121:2). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [20] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Col 1:17). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [21] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Heb 1:10–12). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [22] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Jn 4:24). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [23]Pentz, C. M. (1974). Sermon Outlines from the Psalms (p. 60). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. [24] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 121:3–4). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [25]Pentz, C. M. (1974). Sermon Outlines from the Psalms (p. 60). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. [26] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Eph 6:10–18). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [27] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 121:5–6). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [28]Pentz, C. M. (1974). Sermon Outlines from the Psalms (p. 60). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. [29] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 121:7–8). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [30] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ps 51:12). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [31] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ro 8:35–39). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [32]Pentz, C. M. (1974). Sermon Outlines from the Psalms (p. 60). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. [33] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Pe 1:5). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [34]Smith, J., & Lee, R. (1971). Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII(five-volume edition, Vol. 9, p. 210). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. [35]Keiningham, C. W. (1981). Sermon Outlines for Funerals (p. 15). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. [36] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 2 Th 2:16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

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