God's Ever-Present Help: Trusting Through Every Season
Summary
Today, we gathered to honor the women of our congregation and reflect on the deep assurance found in Psalm 121, a Song of Ascent. This psalm was sung by pilgrims journeying to and from Jerusalem, reminding them—and us—of God’s faithful presence in every season of life. Whether we are coming from a mountaintop experience of worship or heading back into the routines and challenges of daily living, the question arises: “Where does my help come from?” The answer is clear and resounding—our help comes from Yahweh, the Creator of heaven and earth, who is both transcendent and intimately involved in our lives.
The psalmist’s journey mirrors our own. After moments of spiritual refreshment, we return to the realities of work, family, and personal struggles. Yet, we are not left to navigate these alone. God is not a distant observer; He is our keeper, our guardian, and our ever-present help. He does not slumber or sleep, and His care extends not only to us individually but also to our nation and the world. The psalm assures us that God sets boundaries for our trials, allowing hardship but never abandoning us. He is attentive to every detail, protecting us from dangers seen and unseen, and preserving us through every circumstance.
This truth is especially poignant for mothers and all who carry heavy responsibilities. The daily grind, the unseen sacrifices, and the overwhelming questions about the future can weigh heavily. Yet, God’s promise is to keep our going out and our coming in, now and forevermore. He is the shade at our right hand, the one who guards us from the heat of the day and the fears of the night. In every season—whether we are struggling, thriving, or somewhere in between—God’s faithfulness remains. We are called to trust Him, to lean on Him, and to give thanks for His constant, personal care. Let us remember to look to the hills, to Yahweh, our unfailing helper, and to praise Him for His steadfast love and protection.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Help Is Both Transcendent and Personal
The Creator of heaven and earth is not only sovereign over all things but also intimately involved in the details of our lives. He knows where, when, and why we were born, and He cares deeply about our unique circumstances. This means that our prayers are not lost in the vastness of the universe; they are heard by the One who made it all and who loves us personally. [52:16]
- God Sets Boundaries for Our Trials
While life brings slips, stumbles, and hardships, God allows nothing beyond what He has purposed for our good. He may permit us to struggle, but He never abandons us to chaos. Every trial is within His parameters, and He uses even our missteps to shape us and accomplish His will. [53:45]
- God’s Vigilance Is Unceasing
Unlike human guardians who grow weary, God never slumbers or sleeps. His watchfulness is constant, both over individuals and over nations. We can rest in the assurance that, even when we are unaware or vulnerable, God is actively keeping and protecting us. [57:06]
- God Protects from Dangers Seen and Unseen
The psalmist’s imagery of sun and moon points to God’s protection in every circumstance—whether obvious or hidden, day or night. Much of what God shields us from we may never know in this life, but His faithfulness is at work, preserving us from evil and sustaining us through every threat. [01:03:35]
- Trusting God Is a Lifelong Posture
Whether we are overwhelmed by responsibilities, facing uncertainty, or enjoying a season of peace, we are called to continually look to God as our helper. Trust is not a one-time act but a daily, lifelong posture—thanking Him for past faithfulness, leaning on Him in present need, and resting in His promise to keep us forevermore. [01:06:49]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[40:50] - Honoring Women and Choosing the Psalm
[43:12] - Understanding the Song of Ascents
[44:12] - Pilgrimage and Worship in Jerusalem
[45:09] - The Purpose of the Psalms of Ascent
[46:19] - True Worship and Its Cost
[47:49] - Returning to Daily Life After Worship
[49:21] - The Pilgrim’s Plea for Help
[51:01] - The Source of Our Help: Yahweh
[52:16] - God’s Creative Power and Personal Care
[53:45] - God Sets Boundaries for Our Trials
[55:17] - God’s Nearness and Ministering Angels
[57:06] - God’s Unceasing Vigilance
[58:07] - God’s Care for Nations and Leaders
[01:00:24] - God’s Protection Day and Night
[01:03:35] - God’s Preservation from Evil
[01:06:49] - Trusting God in Every Season
[01:07:59] - Reading Psalm 121 and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Psalm 121 – God Our Keeper
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### Bible Reading
Psalm 121 (ESV)
> 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
> 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
> 3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
> 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
> 5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
> 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
> 7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
> 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 121, what question does the pilgrim ask at the beginning of the journey, and how is it answered?
[[51:01]]
2. According to the psalm, what are some of the specific ways God is described as helping or protecting His people?
[[52:16]]
3. What does the phrase “He who keeps you will not slumber” tell us about God’s character?
[[57:06]]
4. The psalm mentions both “the sun by day” and “the moon by night.” What dangers or challenges might these represent for the pilgrim?
[[01:00:24]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon described God as both “transcendent and personal.” What does it mean for God to be the Creator of everything and yet also care about the details of our lives?
[[52:16]]
2. The psalm says God “will not let your foot be moved.” How should we understand this promise in light of the fact that we still face struggles and hardships?
[[53:45]]
3. The preacher mentioned that God “sets boundaries for our trials.” How might this shape the way we view difficult seasons or unexpected challenges?
[[53:45]]
4. The psalmist says, “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” What does this say about God’s involvement in both the big and small moments of our lives?
[[01:04:29]]
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### Application Questions
1. The psalmist looks to the hills and asks, “Where does my help come from?” When you face overwhelming responsibilities or worries, what is your first instinct—do you look to God, or somewhere else? What would it look like to make God your first source of help this week?
[[49:21]]
2. The sermon highlighted that God’s care is both constant and personal, even when we feel unnoticed or alone. Can you think of a recent time when you felt unseen or overwhelmed? How might remembering God’s watchful care change your perspective in those moments?
[[55:17]]
3. The preacher said God “sets boundaries for our trials” and never abandons us to chaos. Is there a current struggle in your life where you need to trust that God is still in control? What would it look like to surrender that situation to Him?
[[53:45]]
4. The psalm promises that God protects us from dangers “seen and unseen.” Are there ways you’ve seen God’s protection in your life—maybe things you only realized in hindsight? Share one example with the group.
[[01:03:35]]
5. For mothers, caregivers, or anyone carrying heavy responsibilities: the sermon mentioned the “unseen sacrifices” and daily grind. How can you remind yourself of God’s promise to “keep your going out and your coming in” during the busiest or most exhausting days?
[[01:04:29]]
6. The preacher encouraged us to “lean on God” and “give thanks for His constant, personal care.” What is one practical way you can express gratitude to God this week for His faithfulness—either privately or with your family?
[[01:06:49]]
7. The psalmist’s trust in God is described as a “lifelong posture.” What habits or practices could help you develop a daily rhythm of trusting God, not just in crisis but in ordinary moments?
[[01:06:49]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray, thanking God for His faithful presence and asking for help to trust Him in every season—whether on the mountaintop or in the daily grind.
Devotional
Day 1: God Is Our Ever-Present Helper
In the journey of life, we often find ourselves facing challenges, uncertainties, and moments when we simply need help beyond our own strength. The psalmist reminds us that our help does not come from our own abilities or from the world around us, but from the Lord Himself—Yahweh, the Creator of heaven and earth. He is not a distant or indifferent God, but the Almighty who is intimately involved in our lives, ready to provide the help we need at every turn. When we lift our eyes to the hills and wonder where our help will come from, we can answer with confidence: our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of all things. [51:01]
Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life this week where you need God’s help? Take a moment to lift that need to Him in prayer, trusting that He is both willing and able to help you.
Day 2: God’s Personal Care and Protection
God’s care for us is not generic or distant; it is deeply personal and attentive. He knows every detail of our lives, including our struggles, our foolish choices, and our moments of weakness. He will not allow our foot to slip beyond what He permits, and even when we stumble, He is there to steady us and guide us. God’s watchful presence means that we are never alone, and He sets the boundaries of our lives with purpose and love. He is our keeper, our guardsman, and He cares about what you are going through today, no matter how big or small. [55:17]
Psalm 121:3-4 (ESV)
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt God’s personal care in your life, even in a small way? How might you look for His attentive presence in your circumstances today?
Day 3: God Watches Over Us Day and Night
The Lord’s protection is constant—He does not grow weary or take breaks. Whether it is the dangers that come in the heat of the day or the fears that arise in the darkness of night, God is always watching over us. He shields us from harm, both seen and unseen, and is present in every moment. Even when we are unaware of the threats around us, God is our shade and our shelter, providing safety and peace. His vigilance is a comfort, assuring us that we are never outside of His care. [01:03:35]
Psalm 121:5-6 (ESV)
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
Reflection: What are the “daytime” and “nighttime” worries that trouble you most? How can you rest in the assurance that God is watching over you at all times?
Day 4: God Preserves Us from Evil
We are often unaware of the many dangers and evils from which God protects us each day. The Lord keeps us from all evil, guarding our lives in ways we may never fully understand until eternity. His faithfulness is a shield around us, preserving us through every season and circumstance. Even when life feels overwhelming or uncertain, we can trust that God is actively working to keep us safe, to preserve our going out and our coming in, now and forevermore. [01:04:29]
Psalm 121:7-8 (ESV)
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Reflection: Take a moment to thank God for specific times He has protected you or your loved ones from harm. How does remembering His faithfulness in the past encourage you to trust Him with your future?
Day 5: Trusting God as Our Guardian
In the midst of life’s stresses, uncertainties, and daily responsibilities, we are invited to trust in God as our ever-present guardian. Whether you are facing big decisions, feeling overwhelmed by your circumstances, or simply navigating the routines of life, God calls you to lean on Him, to pray, and to live with the awareness that He is beside you, watching and guarding you. Trusting in God means acknowledging His sovereignty, His care, and His faithfulness, and responding with gratitude and dependence on Him each day. [01:06:49]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can demonstrate your trust in God today—perhaps by surrendering a worry, making a decision in faith, or expressing gratitude for His protection?
Quotes
My help comes from the Lord, the one who made everything that you enjoy, experience, and use, the maker of heaven and earth. Do you think He's able to help you to be with you? He cares for you personally. [00:53:01] (15 seconds)
He will not allow your foot to be moved. He'll let you make foolish choices. He'll let you struggle. But God has you where He wants you for a purpose. He's doing something in you. He's doing something through you. It's His parameters which have been set. [00:54:20] (16 seconds)
He who keeps you will not slumber. Now after church, we're going to make our way to see Lisa's mom and dad for Mother's Day. And on the way there, I promise you, I will feel tired and she'll keep poking me and making, are you awake? Are you awake? God doesn't get sleepy. [00:57:11] (20 seconds)
We're not even fully aware of all the evil that's going on around us and all that God has kept us from. You don't know what he's kept you from. Some of it you do. Some of it you won't know till eternity, the things that God has kept you from, but he keeps us from all evil. [01:04:02] (19 seconds)
All my life, he's been faithful. All my life, he's been so, so good, and he's kept us, and he's preserved us, and he'll keep our life. And so the Lord will keep you, keep your going out and your coming in from this time forward, even forevermore, God cares. [01:04:29] (22 seconds)
Won't you trust in Him? Won't you lean on Him? Won't you pray to Him? Won't you live like you know He's there beside you, watching you and guarding you? Won't you thank Him for the things He's kept you from, from the times that you were so close to disaster, from the times when your life could have been destroyed or your family shattered or scattered? God has been there, and He's kept you, and He is your helper. Praise Yahweh and give thanks to Him. [01:06:58] (31 seconds)
If you're not a believer in God, I think today would be a great day to become a believer. And if you are a believer, but you're struggling with your trust in God, memorize Psalm 21 and remind yourself that God is your guardian. And if you're like, hey, life is good with me, and I'm not struggling with anything, then praise God God that He has been there your whole life. [01:07:28] (27 seconds)
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