Psalms 121:1-8 NIV
“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. He 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. 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. 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.”
INSIGHT
-The singer of this rich psalm looked to the hills, likely the distant hills of Jerusalem as he travelled toward the city to fulfill his pilgrimage. It forms part of the collection known as the “Songs of Ascents” (Psalms 120-134). We are called to trust in God’s Sovereignty for He is the Maker of heaven and earth therefore He is in control. True help and protection comes only from Him. The Lord reminds us in Jeremiah 17:5 that “cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” We are encouraged to trust in God’s provision and care, especially in moments of uncertainty or danger, offering reassurance that God is always watching and always protecting us.
PRAYER
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. May You cleanse our hearts dear Lord Jesus and form us according to Your will and purposes. Only You are our God and none can be compared to You Father. None can be liked to You precious Holy Spirit. None can be equated to You dear Jesus Christ. We declare that we are more than conquerors in the mighty name of Jesus, and we can do all things through You who strengthens us. We honor You Lord and give You praise, and it is in Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 24:3-5
Proverbs 16:3 NKJV
“Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.”
INSIGHT
–Often times we have diverse plans in our own lives. God also has plans for our lives. We need to synchronize our plans with God’s plans and He will establish us for His will is supreme. God knew us before we were conceived our mothers’ wombs. God knows each one of us by name and the hair on our heads He has the record. Let us then look to Jesus for His plans for our lives are good and supreme.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus we thank Your goodness and faithfulness upon our lives. You have been so Good dear Lord Jesus. You have been so faithful. We surrender our hearts, thoughts and intentions unto You that You may guide us according to Your divine purposes. Many are the plans in our hearts but it is only You Lord who directs our steps. Only You Lord make our way straight. Only You Lord do we look upon for You have good plans for us. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. May You bless the work of our hands and make us productive. May You make us fruitful in every area of our lives. May You set us free from every bondage and forgive us all our sins and iniquities. We commit our career, businesses, and livelihoods unto You dear Lord Jesus. We pray for Your favor and open doors for our work so as to fulfill our kingdom mandate, and it is in Jesus mighty name we pray and believe. Amen
Further reading: Proverbs 16:9, Jeremiah 29:11
Psalms 18:29-35 NIV
“With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great.”
INSIGHT
-King David pursued the troops of the Amalekites who burnt Ziklag, according to1 Samuel 30:8. He says I can “advance against a troop” with the help of the Lord. This comes from the Hebrew root which signifies to “break” in pieces and is fitly used for the destroying or cutting in pieces a troop of the enemy. With courage and intrepidity in God, David pursued after the Amalekites and conquered. In the same wavelength Christ triumphed over death and hell and took its keys. Jesus calls us to look to Him and trust in Him always and we will do live in liberty from sin causing death and have eternal life. We are called to look to Jesus and trust in Him for those who know their God shall be strong and they shall carry out great exploits (Daniel 11:32).
PRAYER
Jesus we thank You and exult Your holy name. We appreciate You for Your goodness, love and kindness upon us. You are our Rock, Protector, Strength and Sustainer. Even when we become faithless You remain to be Faithful. Jesus You died on the cross for our sins and have called us to believe in You and trust in You fully. May You forgive us all our sins and iniquities and wash us with Your precious blood our Savior. May You journey with us in our walk of faith and encourage us to be good stewards of the work, gifts, talents, time and resources that You have entrusted unto us. You have called us to be the salt and the light of the world and a town built on a hill cannot be hidden, may You help us to represent You faithfully as Your ambassadors for the glory and honor of Your name. Jesus You have called us to be of good cheer and to have peace for You have overcome the world, may You empower us to be strong and to do exploits in every area of our lives. All glory, honor, power and strength belongs to You now and forever. Amen
Further reading: Matthew 5:13-14, John 16:33
1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
INSIGHT
-Paul’s instructions to the rich are a reminder that wealth is fleeting and should not become an idol or a source of pride. None should thus rely upon wealth and think they are sufficient by themselves for our sufficiency is from God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). Therefore, wealth should be utilized as a tool for good works, generosity, and building a foundation for eternal life. Believers are called to be rich in spiritual matters and not just in material possessions, reflecting God’s generous heart by sharing with others and focusing on the life to come.
PRAYER
Our sufficiency is from You dear Father our God who has made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant not of the letter but of the Spirit. Thank You Holy Spirit for infilling us and in dwelling in us, that You may reveal Yourself through us Your sons. Every good gift and perfect gift is from above and comes down from You our Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. You have lifted us out of the slimy pit, the mud and mire and have set our feet on a rock and have given us a firm place to stand. We thank You for all the financial resources that You have given us. May You help us to be good stewards of the resources that You have entrusted unto us for the glory and honor of Your name. May You rebuke the devourer on our behalf and guide us in things. May You forgive us for the times we have trusted in wealth and resources, and wash us with Your precious blood. May You preserve us with Your hedge of fire and teach us how to make wealth dear Jesus. May You release every hidden treasure and everything that belongs to us and our generations. We thank You dear Lord Jesus and give You praise, and it is Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 115:4-8
Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
INSIGHT
-These scriptures serve as a reminder to center our lives around Jesus’ teachings and examples. As Christians we are called to live lives of faith and endurance, using the examples of faithful believers outlined in Hebrews 11, while always keeping our eyes on Jesus, the ultimate model and sustainer of faith.
SUMMARY
Looking to Jesus is often a call for faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ. It emphasizes focusing on Jesus for help, guidance, strength, provision, protection, sustenance, stability and salvation, especially in times of trial or uncertainty. Psalms 121:1-8 reminds us that we should look to Jesus for Jesus for help for He is the Maker of heaven and earth and He will not let our foot to slip but watch over us and keep us from all harm. Proverbs 16:3 exhorts us to commit our works to the Lord and our thoughts will be established. Psalms 18:29-35 calls us to look to Jesus for protection and help for He is our shield and refuge. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 commands those who are rich among us not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God Who gives us richly all things to enjoy, but to be rich in good works. As we look to Jesus, we are called to submit to Him for our sufficiency is from God who has made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant in the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:4-6).
PRAYER
Almighty Heavenly Father, our King and our Lord. We come before Your throne of mercy this day to obtain mercy and grace in our times of need. Oh Lord we thank You for this far You have brought us. We thank You Almighty Father, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our precious Holy Spirit. We surrender to You Holy Spirit, to Your will and to Your way. We submit to Your guidance and direction over our lives. We yearn for a deeper relationship and fellowship with You. May You fill us afresh Holy Spirit and renew a contrite spirit within us. May You help us in all our weaknesses and guide us in all our ways. May You teach us how to pray and interceed for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. May You bless us abundantly so that in all things at all times having all that we need, we may abound in every good work. May You bless us and keep us. May You shine Your face towards us and be gracious unto us. May You show Your countenance unto us and give us peace. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forevermore. Amen.
Further reading: Romans 8:26, Psalm 37:4