He will not let your foot slip;
He who watches over you will not slumber.
No, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalms 121:3-4
The promises for Israel as well as the admonitions refer also to us, not only to Israel. Finally there will be no difference, we all will be one in Jesus. Jesus, however, only speaks of people who believe in Him, irrespective whether they are from Israel or from any other nation.
In the Old Testament we read about the great deeds of God for His people, provided they listened and followed Him. When, however, they turned away and went they own ways, God was not able anymore to protect and bless them. But as soon as they listened to Him in obedience they experienced one miracle after the other.
When they walked through the desert God went ahead of them as a pillar of cloud during the day and as a pillar of fire during the night without interruption. He never slumbered nor slept. Day and night He was around them, protected them. He let Manna fall from heaven, provided them with quails and fresh water. For 40 years the Israelites were short of nothing.
He was there when the prophet Elijah had been in quarrel with the priests of Baal with regard to the question who is the most powerful God. He mocked the priests and challenged them to shout louder to their God. May be he is sleeping. In truth Baal is not able to answer, he does not sleep, is not God at all.
Only our God is an always watching Guardian. You can totally trust Him. He is always around us, cares for us even though we do not see, and sometimes do not feel Him.
He loves His folk and the sheeps of His flock. He does not forget one! He never will say to somebody: It is your fault, blame yourself. It is now your problem to come out of this dilemma. No He helps and saves incessantly.
Just as Baal could not give any answer so all other gods cannot save. Some people try to win by gambling. In the beginning they might be lucky but then things change. They lose but continue to play, want to force the success. Many have gone bankrupt, lost all their fortune, their house and home and committed suicide at the end. No, Fortuna did not hear their cry! God cannot be our Guardian in those areas of our life which we are not giving to Him and where we trust other gods: Money for instance. We have given our life to God but want to be master of the purse ourselves. This is not consequent, logical – right? Who makes money to his idol will not work with same properly. Are we really willing to risk the loss of God’s blessings?
No, we want to belong to Him, the Watchman of Israel. He never sleeps and slumbers. We totally trust Him!
Thank You, Jesus, You promised to care for me in all matters as far as I entrust myself to You. Yet, there are areas of my life where I want to rule myself. Forgive me and help me to entrust You my whole life. You are my faithful God and Guardian.
Bible reading today: John 2: 13-25