In Search of Good News

I don't know about you, but I am getting weary with all the negative news lately.  I am tired of the mainstream media's "spin" of the news to make it more appealing to those who would agree with that point of view.  I am frustrated with the ease that Americans are being deluded into believing lies about America's past.  I am weary of politicians who are all talk, just to get my vote, but have no backbone regarding getting anything done.  I am tired of the lies and innuendos that dominate headlines and talk-shows.  I am tired of reading of the wanton killings on our cities streets.  I am weary of hearing of terrorists around the world who have no respect for human life and so assault the innocents with total disdain.  I don't know about you, but I long for some good news! 


I was reading for my devotions this morning Psalm 121.  (I am working my way through Psalms in July and August - fascinating reading, by the way; I think we hurry through Psalms too quickly; it should be savored like a good steak - at least that is my opinion!)  I love this Psalm.  Every time I read it I remember sitting on the Southern Steps leading up to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  It was a hot early June day.  And, as our tour group sat there several years ago, our tour guide sang for us this Psalm in Hebrew.  It was one of many serendipitous moments I have had over the years while in Israel. 


Let's look briefly at this Psalm and see if we can discover some good news.  First, this Psalm is included in a collection of fifteen known as the Psalms of Ascent.  These were probably among the familiar Psalms sung as people traveled up to Jerusalem for the various feasts and celebrations.  We do not know who the author of this Psalm is but, whoever he is, there is a strong understanding of the character of God.  Before we look at verses 1 and 2 - where I find some encouraging good news, let's look at the remainder of this Psalm for it, too, contains some good news.


First, we learn that God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth.  That is an important place to begin in one's understanding of who God truly is.  That is where the Scriptures begin with their introduction of God: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  Second, the author relates that God is dependable - we can count on Him.  Notice what the writer says: "He will not let your foot slip."  I don't know about you, but the older I get the more cautious I need to be about walking.  And you know what trips me up at times?  It is the corner of a rug or the leg of a chair or a torn piece of carpet on a step.  It is those little things that can cause a person to fall.  Now, do you hear what the Psalmist is saying?  God will help you through those "little things" in life so that you do not lose your balance; so that you will not fall.  So, thank You, God, for taking an interest in the "little things" in my life.


Third, the author strongly states that God is always on the job.  Notice how he stresses this: "he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD watches over you - ."  Three times the author uses the word "watches."  Twice he makes reference to the fact that God does not slumber or sleep.  God never needs to take a nap!  God never needs to take a "breather."  God never needs to take a rest!  No matter the hour of the day or the time of the year or the condition of the circumstances in which you find yourselves, God is always there!  He is only a prayer away.  Who else do you know who will ALWAYS be there for you? 


Fourth, the author wants us to know that God will always protect us: "the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life."  As I read of the condition of our culture today, I am drawn to the story of Daniel and his three friends: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  They experienced the protection of God, although each was willing to lay down his life to do what was right in the eyes of God.  Does this promise mean that everything, every event, every occurrence in our lives will be delightful?  Of course not.  Just ask Job.  Just ask David.  Just ask that person who sits next to you on a Sunday morning in worship.  No, problems and difficulties are a part of life.  There is no escape from them.  And some of those events make no sense to us.  But, I believe the promise from the Psalmist is this: God will be your shade; God will see you through.  He will be our strength.


Finally, in that closing verse, the Psalmist declares that God is interested in every aspect of your life, for he writes: "the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."  That little Hebrew phrase, "your coming and going," is like saying "from beginning to ending."  It is all inclusive.  In other words, God is concerned about everything that is happening in your life right now!  He will not walk away from you and leave you alone!  He will put His arms around you and bring you safely through!  And He will do this until He ushers us into His presence! 


Now, let us turn our attention to those first two verses.  Let me share with you the geography behind these verses, behind this Psalm.  I want you to imagine with me that you are a pilgrim making your first journey to the Temple to offer a sacrifice to God.  It is a warm early spring day.  You approach the Temple from the north walking through the Kidron Valley which lies just to the east of the Temple Mount.  On your left hand is another mountain whose landscape is dotted with temples dedicated to foreign gods.  Perhaps they are abandoned now, but the ruins speak volumes of another time when other gods were Israel's focus.  Today, this mountain is known as the Hill of Offense - a fitting reminder of what happened there in the past.  On your right hand is the Temple itself, shining in its splendor in the bright spring sun.  Here the living God of Israel is worshiped and served. 


As the Psalmist ascends that road he asks himself one of the most meaningful questions: "Where does my help come from?"  Friends, that is the important question we need to ask ourselves in today's world.  Does my help, my confidence, my assurance come from those "temples" to other gods that dot the landscape, or does my help, my confidence, my assurance come from the Lord?  Are we dependent upon CNN and MSNBC and FOX for confidence, or are we dependent upon the BIBLE?  Is our focus upon what politicians promise but fail to deliver, or upon what God promises and has never failed to deliver?  Where is my focus?  Where is your focus? 


How I need to have the words of this Psalm ever before me these days for, indeed, he has good news for us in the midst of the trouble that surrounds us.