PSALMS OF ASCENT!

PSALM 121:5-6

Your Shade
THE LORD WATCHES OVER YOUTHE LORD IS YOUR SHADE AT YOUR RIGHT HAND; THE SUN WILL NOT HARM YOU BY DAY, NOR THE MOON BY NIGHT. (PSALMS 121:56 NIV)
CONSTANT COMPANION
God is our constant companion and helper in real or imaginary dangers. His protection is good against the known and the unknown. The Psalmist expresses this in a poetic parallel. These parallels are a favourite Hebrew way of describing totality. The two extremes of sun and moon (day/night) are described so as to include everything in-between. God has got it all covered. His covering of us (the shade of the Psalm) indicates the comprehensive nature of this protection - every part of our lives.

SHADE
The word translated shade is the Hebrew word tzel, meaning shadow. God shades and protects His people (Ps 121:5f.; Isa 25:4). We pray that God will hide us under the shadow of his wings (Ps 17:8; cf. Ps 36:7; Ps 91:1). God says that he will hide the suffering servant in the shadow of his hand so that he can preach his message for a time (Isa 49:2). And in the last days Yahwehs glory will return to Jerusalem and be a shade from the heat and a shelter from the other elements (Is 4:6; cf. Hos 14:8). What does this mean for us?

think more clearly. Thats what a quiet time is for.

TIMES WHEN IT GETS SCARY

At the time our Psalmist lived it was thought that too much exposure to the moon could cause illness (lunacy). We are all scared by things. The future, persecution, illness, criticism and so on. How do we process that fear, and overcome it? What is your part? Take all your fear and anger to God. He can handle it even if you cannot. Remember, He sent Jesus to earth precisely because He knew we could not handle the heat and the fear induced by life on this imperfect world. Step into the shade. Stay in the shade. What is Gods part? He gives peace and He gives us renewed vision. Hold on to yo u r c o n s t a n t , p e r s o n a l companion as He shades and protects you from anxiety and fear. Remember to step into the shade today.

PERSONAL PROTECTION
Gods protection is personal - all the yous in this verse are singular. God is aware of everything we are going through. The government are not, your best friend is not, even your spouse is not, but God is.

TIMES WHEN IT GETS HOT

Are you going through an especially hard time right now? Is stress your constant companion? Stress does not need to become anxiety. We can do all we are called by God to do by stepping into His shade. There He can help you

Malcolm Cox, email: malcolm.cox@iccmissions.org | ICC Missions on facebook | www.nwlcc.org