Psalm 121:7, 8

      The LORD will keep you from all harm— 
         he will watch over your life; 
      the LORD will watch over your coming and going 
         both now and forevermore.

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Our home security system has been disabled for several weeks. When the Blessed Saints who brought us high-speed internet installed it, they accidentally cut our landline telephone cable. Since it runs beneath our driveway and the street, and since they would have to dig up both to repair it at our expense, we no longer have a landline telephone. This means we miss almost all political and survey company calls. (Sad.)

It also means our home security system will not work again until the company comes and replaces our landline system with a wifi counterpart. We are still secure, however, because we have two border collies. Just last night, a woman walking her dog passed by our house. Ollie the Border Collie took great offense and barked at them. He seldom barks. If he does, we almost always see what is going on. 

After barking at the would-be intruders, he ran into the den to grab one of his toys, you know, just in case they broke into our house and wanted to throw him a ball. He is so thoughtful that way. 

Have you ever wondered why a pirate captain keeps a parrot on his shoulder? The parrot serves as an early warning system. Parrots squawk when someone unfamiliar or unwelcome approaches. 

What kind of security system do you have? How well does it work? 

The anonymous songwriter of Psalm 121 says God “will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep,” (verses 3 and 4). 

Each of us has known purposeful sleepless nights like slumber parties and all-night sessions smoking briskets. As anyone who has to work overnight will tell you, 4 AM is a hard time to stay awake. 

Working the midnight to 6 AM shift at a radio station in a small town is fun the first couple of hours. Then the woman at the nursing home calls during the four o’clock hour to request Johnny Mathis singing Misty. Dude, do not play Johnny Mathis singing Misty if you are trying to stay awake. Try it for yourself: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkC9bCuahC8]

The ancient songwriter says, “The Lord watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.”

There are nights when we cannot sleep due to one malady or another, or one worry or another. Our Father in heaven invites us to rest in him. He will sit up and keep watch. “Rest,” he says. “I’ve got this. I’ve got you,” he says. 

Go ahead and cue up Misty while you brush your teeth and wash your face. After listening to Johnny Mathis, try the Sarah Vaughn version [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJXLqAutql4]. You will rest well, I promise. 

Should you awake in the night with a worry, a fear, or a nagging question, remember where your help comes from:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, 
the maker of heaven and earth.
(verses 1 and 2)

EarthMaker and MountainShaper is on the job. 

The next time you awaken afraid in the night, remind your fears of who is in charge here. Our “help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.”

—

I will rest securely.

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Our Father, thank you for watching over us when we are most vulnerable. Thank you for taking care of us when we need you most. Thank you for calming our fears with your constant and attentive presence. Amen.