Read: Psalm 121:3–4   He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

God gives us His full attention, for “he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). God is not only compassionately watchful, He is sleepless! He does not need sleep and is always by our side. He guards us and will never doze off and let something disastrous happen. Nothing catches Him by surprise. We may be surprised, but He is never caught off guard.

The idea of the watchful God is repeatedly emphasised in Psalm 121. He watches over Israel, the nation and the community (v. 4). He also watches over you, personally (v. 5). A little baby sleeping peacefully in his cot, an elderly woman suffering aches and pains and sleeplessness, a man whose business has failed, a woman who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness—all these are noticed by the God who watches over all. God has no blind spots. He sees all.

The idea of the watchful God is repeatedly emphasised in Psalm 121. He watches over Israel, the nation and the community.

The Lord “will watch over your coming and going” (v. 8). He is interested in all the details of our lives, and at all stages. He does not lose interest in us, but cares for us because he created each one of us. He is there in the morning, He is there at noon, in the evening, and in the dead of night. His presence is not oppressive , but protective and comforting.

Does this mean that we can take things for granted? Can we deliberately run away from God, rejecting Him and living lives independent of Him? Like the prodigal son, one can rebel against God and go far away from the caring and watchful eyes of God. This is not God’s choice but the sinner’s. Thus we read about those who rebelled and were scattered: “he no longer watches over them” (Lamentations 4: 16). But the repentant “returnee” will experience God’s eyes watching over him again, like how the prodigal son saw his father who, from far off, ran all the way to joyfully embrace his long lost son (Luke 15:20).

Like the prodigal son, one can rebel against God and go far away from the caring and watchful eyes of God.

The Hebrew word shamar means “keep”, “watch over”, or “guard”. Some may doubt whether God is really watching over them. Why then does He allow bad things to happen? Or, why does He seem so far away, not answering our urgent prayers? After a while, the person may lose faith in God, or may even blatantly sin since he thinks God is not watching after all. Psalm 121 puts to rest such doubt and disobedience. God is indeed watching over us, and His presence is more real than the hills. He is our sure and eternal help. It is in going regularly to the temple in Jerusalem that the pilgrim is reassured and finds true comfort. The temple is no more in Jerusalem, but we go to church now. The same lessons must be learnt today as they were long ago.

Consider this:

How does the truth that the Lord is watching over you help? How can you make yourself more aware of this as you go about your daily business? How can you help others who need to know this comforting truth?

 

Excerpted and adapted from We are Pilgrims: Thoughts on the Way to Church by Robert Solomon. ©2016 by Robert Solomon. Used by permission of Armour Publishing. All rights reserved.

 

Related Resources:

The Lord Is My Shepherd: Rest and Renewal from Psalm 23. Finding your way through life is easier when you have the right One leading the way. Gain insight from the lives of David, Isaiah, and others who found hope, encouragement, and rest under the watchful care of God. Find out more here.