Verse of the Day 1/28

 Psalm 121:5   The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand. English Standard Version (ESV)

 

For years when I read verse one I had thought that the psalmist was looking to the hills for help to come.  But I've read commentaries and heard messages stating that the beginning of the verse is a question, one as of someone walking in the desert looking for help, for relief and seeing none anywhere, as far as the eye could see.

 

Our men's Bible study is going through a video series, "Walking With God in the Desert" filmed in the deserts of the Old Testament.  The shade provided as referenced in today's verse was often a broom tree, literally a bush growing along a dry wadi, or riverbed.  It was a bleak area and while the shade was not complete like you would experience under a large oak or even a rock, it was enough to offer "just enough" relief for you to regain your strength and then move on to the next broom tree or possible a desert oasis where your strength could be more fully restored.  It was the type of tree that would have provided shade for  Elijah, Hagar, David and others in the Old Testament.  It is the picture of what can be provided for us today.

 

The "shade at your right hand" provides an image that God is never out of reach, it is as He is as close as your outstretched hand, ready to help, ready to provide shade when you need it most.

 

The other thing that we took out of this is that everybody goes through desert patches, everyone needs shade.  We as believers need shade and we are also to be shade for those around us.  It may be offering hope, encouragement, a meal or transportation for someone in need, perhaps it will be just enough to get them through the day and onto the next shade or possibly oasis.

 

Blessings,

Mike

 

The Message (MSG)

A Pilgrim Song

121 ^1-2 I look up to the mountains;
    does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

^3-4 He won't let you stumble,
    your Guardian God won't fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel's
    Guardian will never doze or sleep.

^5-6 God's your Guardian,
    right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
    sheltering you from moonstroke.