Good morning, Loved Ones,

Today we look at a traveler's psalm. Psalm 121

Psalm 121 (The Message)

A Pilgrim Song

^1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
^3-4 He won't let you stumble,
your Guardian God won't fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel's
Guardian will never doze or sleep.
^5-6 God's your Guardian,
right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
sheltering you from moonstroke.
^7-8 God guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now, he guards you always.

This psalm is one of the psalms of ascents. It was a blessing for those about to travel 'up to' Jerusalem. It acknowledges the dangers along the way; the temptation to be drawn away to the mountain top altars burning to Baal, the hazards of bandits, the blistering sun, the terrors of night. But even as it acknowledges the terrors of the journey, the terrors are trumped by the unwavering companionship and protection of the Lord of heaven and earth who does not snooze nor snore.

Whether you journey is of the weekend variety or the lifetime sojourn, give thanks for the Guardian God who 'walks with you and talks with you along life's narrow way.'

Thank you, Lord, that though I still live and work in the city of my birth, you have taken me far from the comforts and confines of a parochial faith.
Thank you, Lord, for being there during the terrors I have experienced in life.
Thank you, Lord, that most terrors are not at all what they are made out to be.
Thank you, Lord, that today we are able to travel and journey with a level of peace and safety unheard of in the history of the world. Yet, Lord, we offer prayers for those who, around the world, make life-threatening journeys across borders for better lives.
Thank you, Lord, that our life-long journeys with you are full of beauty, grace, hope, peace, welcome and overcoming.

Where are you headed today? Do you know that the One "who made heaven, and earth, and mountains" is with you?

Gimme cinco!

Pastor Rick