“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8 NIV
There are 15 psalms titled “Songs of Ascent” and they would be song by those traveling to Jerusalem during their annual festivals, to reflect on God’s protective power. The word ‘ascent’ comes from the part of their journey where they had to climb up to Jerusalem. During this journey they would sing this among other songs to help remind themselves that God was with them everywhere, not just in their journey or destination but also in their daily life.
At my aunt’s funeral, Psalm 121 was placed on the memory card you receive. My cousin told me that when her and my uncle went through my aunt’s bible, this passage was marked. I know that my aunt believed that God protected her from harm no matter where she was and that it was for ever. This does not mean that my aunt was not hurt in any way, but even though she may physically be harmed by whatever this world threw her way, her soul was not able to be touched because it belongs to God.
Every believer has that assurance, that we may be physically harmed but our souls belong to God and they are protected from the evil of this world. This should give comfort to every believer because it doesn’t matter if we are traveling or remaining at home, our God is watching over us. This verse among others tells us that…God will keep us and watch over us.
I know that as my aunt ‘climbed’ her way to heaven that God was with her every step of the way, that He watched over her and that He protected her on that final journey. After reading the entire psalm, I can see why she would have marked it in her bible – a solid reminder of the wonderful, powerful and amazing God we serve.
Do you have that assurance of protection from God? Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, please make that decision today.