Psalm 121:5 AMPC
[5] The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield].
Isaiah 25:4 AMPC
[4] For You have been a stronghold for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the ruthless ones is like a rainstorm against a wall.
The writer of the song in Psalm 121 is not made known at the top of the psalm, but there is no doubt as to the target of the praise. The writer would have been living in Jerusalem at the time, and would have seen the mountains that surrounded the city. For some people, that fact alone gave them an assurance of safety and protection, but as we now know, high mountains do not keep you away from the consequences of sin when God decides to apply them. Jerusalem was surrounded by high mountains but when God decided to punish the sin of the nation, nobody was spared. Even the king of the land at the time, named Jehoiachin, as well as the queen mother, all the princes, the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths, were all taken. None remained except the poorest of the land. Who says sin is cheap?
The writer of the psalm knew all these, and would not be deceived or distracted by the physical specimens of mountains. There is a Presence and Power that is bigger, better and stronger than all the mountains put together, and He is referred to as the Lord in the verse in Psalm. He must have also seen war a few times, because, as the verse in Psalm also lays out, the same Lord is a shade on my right hand, which is the side not carrying a shield. This picture is one of divine guidance and protection, even whilst I play my part. I do not fold my hands in laziness and complacence, but I make sure that there is something for God to bless. I do not put my trust in my own personal efforts, but I trust that Gods breath upon my labour will enjoy divine increase and impact. I work, and at the same time, I trust. I depend on God, and also apply myself to whatever has been committed into my hands.
Even for Isaiah, who also foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem due to sin, he knew that it was only God that could help those who had no help from man. If there is a safety net, such as a fat bank account, or a circle of influence I can call upon to help in times of trouble, or even intellect that I can apply to solve problems and make money, I may find it difficult to completely trust God. However, if I know that even with all the above, it is only God that can do the work of shelter, shade and stronghold all at once, why would I fret or worry about what comes my way? It must be noted that storms, the heat and the rain will come at different times, but we have the standing assurance from God that all will be well. Even when things fall apart and the worst happens, it does not change who God is or what He can do. I just have to trust that He knows what He is doing, and if He allows it, it is because He can take me through it. That is the Lord: have you surrendered to Him? God's time of favour is here.
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