We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

MESSAGE TEXT
Psalm 121:1-8
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INTRODUCTION
Who’s watching out for me? Where does my help come from? Psalm 121 – known as the Traveler’s Psalm. But it’s really a psalm for everybody for life in the daily – a Psalm for soldiers as they undertake the battle, that families rely on when they take a trip, that churches lean on when they send out a mission’s team, or even a psalm that former presidents can find some measure of consolation in when at least one or perhaps many people want to take his life.
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The Psalmist asks a question, answers the question, and then others tell him why he answered correctly. First person to third person shift at verse 3. Someone joins him and begins to remind him of the watch-care of God. Since this was a song, it could have been sung antiphonally.
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PROPOSITION
We have FOUR couplets amplifying the truth that God is the source of my security. God is ALWAYS caring for us, wherever we are. We would be justified in saying that Psalm 121 is the Romans 8 of the psalter, for it reminds us of God’s comprehensive care for His people. Like Romans 8, Psalm 121 reminds us that there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of God. He guides us and guards us, so the result is that we can live life in confidence. It’s like having comprehensive coverage on a rental car. Bring on the bad weather and hail and dents – I’m covered!
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God Saves 1-2.
He’s a Helper. His watching is personal (my help… your foot).
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God Steadies 3-4.
He’s a Keeper. His watching is continual (awake or asleep).
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God Shelters 5-6.
He’s a Protector. His watching is total (day or night).
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God Safeguards 7-8.
He’s a Preserver. His watching is eternal (now and forevermore).
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SUMMATION
“Yahweh” is mentioned five times. Psalm 121 meets the cry that was expressed in Psalm 120 and the recurring thought in Psalm 121 is the idea of keep. Help for God's people does not come from Baal or any other ancient false god. Help does not come from our modern idols of money, stuff, security systems and politicians. Be careful of the seduction of the hills. No, the only one we can truly count on any day and any time is the Lord who: 1) Is Creator of heaven and earth (vs. 1-2) 2) Never sleeps or slumbers (vs. 3-4) 3) Is there day and night (vs. 5-6) 4) Protects us from all evil now and forever (vs. 7-8). Do you need help? Come to Him today.