Not placing an order at a pizzeria may have saved Kirk Alexander’s life. When Alexander, who’d been purchasing pizza almost daily since 2009, hadn’t placed an order in more than a week, the restaurant’s manager asked a delivery driver to go to the customer’s house and check on him. Sure enough, Alexander didn’t answer the door—even though his lights and TV were on. Thanks to the driver’s 911 call, Alexander—who required “immediate medical attention”—received treatment and survived.
Far more attentive than that pizzeria manager, the psalmist wrote that the “Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade” (Psalm 121:5). As he looked to the hills of Jerusalem (Psalm 121:1), the psalmist noted where his security could be found. He affirmed that God, who has unbounded power, was Israel’s only true source of help (Psalm 121:1-2).
The God who redeemed Israel was the God who watched over, kept, and sustained His people (Psalm 121:3). Not only was He the source of their help, but He watched over His people at all times. The psalmist said God watched over Israel (the corporate community, Psalm 121:4), providing encouragement and refreshment (Psalm 121:5). God’s protection moved with His people wherever they went (Psalm 121:7-8).
Did this mean that the people of Israel never experienced hardship and that we shouldn’t expect times of struggle? No. But the psalmist accurately stated that God is there and aware of what’s happening in our lives. We can rest in His love and care for us, even when we go through dark valleys (Psalm 23:4). And, when tough times come, we can look forward to being in His peaceful presence “forever” (Psalm 121:8).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 1:28-53
More:
Read John 14:27 and consider how Jesus brings peace to us by His very presence.
Next:
When do you feel most vulnerable? What will you do to affirm your faith in God’s power and protection over your life this week?
don777 on April 12, 2017 at 5:18 am
I wonder if this guy’s medical condition had anything to do with eating pizza every day. 🙂
sandy229 on April 12, 2017 at 9:50 am
It probably did. 🙂
marvin williams on April 12, 2017 at 11:51 am
Don, now that I look back this story, I wonder. Glad they took care of him.
Gary Shultz on April 12, 2017 at 6:27 am
Hi Marvin: As I saw the picture, I said Marvin is up to his food displays again, and they always look good. I may not be able to complete my response. Jesus does assure us peace in His presence, and being close to Him ushers that peace in a world churning with unrest. When we step away too long from contact with the word, prayer and meditation on lessons Christ has for us we become weak and the song of the world becomes distracting. I must put up red flags in my thinking, to return me to those things that are good and up lifting. Sometimes my response for Christ is pretty flimsy; however, He is gracious, patient, and kind. I must place myself in God’s presence again. We ever need corrected, we ever need strengthened, to become a presence of peace among others as we allow His peace to be shown through us. Peace the world seeks peace, and Christ brings it. Thanks Marvin, now I think breakfast is in order.
marvin williams on April 12, 2017 at 11:53 am
Gary, man, that pizza in the picture looks so good. Now, that we got that out of the way, I am so glad Jesus watches over us as well. He’s there and aware. Grace and peace to you, friend.
Tom Felten on April 12, 2017 at 8:20 am
Such a good reminder, Marvin. That God is with us—Immanuel is with us (Matthew 1:23)—and that He has come to us and suffered for us. He “understands” what we’re going through (Hebrews 4:15). These are good things to meditate on over and over during this Passion week.
sandy229 on April 12, 2017 at 11:05 am
Yes, it is good to meditate on the fact that He “understands” everything we are going through. He came to earth in human form and had all the same temptations we have today, and everything else He went through on our behalf. Thank you Tom.
marvin williams on April 12, 2017 at 11:56 am
Tom, thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes, I don’t need God to change my situation; I simply need to know that He’s there and aware of my situation. Yeah, I need to meditate on them more and more.
sandy229 on April 12, 2017 at 10:23 am
This song comes to mind…..
Protector of my soul
Oh Protector of my soul You will stand against the foe
In the dark You’ll be a light for me Oh Protector of my soul
You who created the ends of the earth Guided me unto Your throne
Offered Your healing hand to me Mercif’lly made me Your own
Oh gracious God above I could never earn Your love
I’m amazed to see all You’ve given me Oh gracious God above
You who created the ends of the earth Guided me unto Your throne
Offered Your healing hand to me Mercif’lly made me Your own
Oh Holy Spirit come Show the world where life comes from
May they always see You alive in me Oh Holy Spirit come
You who created the ends of the earth Guided me unto Your throne
Offered Your healing hand to me Mercif’lly made me Your own
Oh Protector of my soul You will stand against the foe
In the dark You’ll be a light for me Oh Protector of my soul
marvin williams on April 12, 2017 at 11:57 am
Sandy, thanks for this. these lyrics are so encouraging. Songs have a way of expressing our deepest desires to God. Blessings on you.
sandy229 on April 12, 2017 at 11:02 am
Through His blood, He made peace so that we are no longer separated from God and one another. Jesus is the exact representation of the invisible God. When we see Jesus, we see God. We believe in Jesus, by whom all things were created. In Him, all things are held together and sustained. We believe in Jesus, in whom we have life and forgiveness and through whom all demonic powers have been utterly defeated. The sun and moon give us 24 hour protection, and the saint is preserved, not in the sense we will never suffer adversity but even though we suffer adversity, we come out a winner because we believe in Jesus, the reconciler of all things.
minkjh on April 12, 2017 at 12:23 pm
Marvin, the picture sure looks tasty, but your choice of Psalm 121 is the supreme topping for today’s message, and timely as well. One of a group of the Songs of Ascent that very likely were sung by those traveling up to Jerusalem for the Passover (which just commenced a few days ago), it shows us a God who is our constant helper no matter the circumstance. As those long ago fixed their eyes on the City of David, so we also should fix ours on the Guardian of our souls. One of my favorite Psalms!
kauai143 on April 13, 2017 at 10:07 am
The man was disabled, worked from home and had no family. The pizza place was like family to him.