LOOK UP x Psalm 121 x Dr. JP Foster

Main message: God is the helper, watchman, and keeper on our life’s journey—so when you face mountains you must look up to Him (not only to horizontal resources) for help, rest, and protection. Psalm 121 assures believers that God never slumbers, actively keeps us, and will preserve us day and night as we go out and come in.

Key points:

• Psalm 121 is a pilgrim/traveler’s psalm: the psalmist asks “Where does my help come from?” and answers, “From the Lord who made heaven and earth.”
• God is vigilant and omnipotent—He does not slumber or sleep and will step in, not merely observe, to help His people.
• Don’t only “glance” at problems and gaze at them; look up and “gaze” at God as the ultimate source of strength and resources.
• The Hebrew verb “keep” is repeated for emphasis: God keeps us by day and by night, from seen and unseen dangers, and in our going out and coming in.
• Biblical examples (Joseph, Daniel, the three men in the fiery furnace, the woman with the issue of blood) and personal testimonies illustrate how God protects and preserves those who trust Him.

Scriptures mentioned: Psalm 121, Psalm 123, Matthew 4, Genesis (Joseph), Daniel (lion’s den, fiery furnace), Gospels (woman with issue of blood)