Going Out and Coming In (Psalm 121)

Where are you going today? Chances are, unless you’re injured/ill (in this case may the God bless you and keep you) you’ll be going somewhere with plans to return. May God bless you and keep you in your journeys.

Have you heard the song “The Blessing” by Kari Jobe? She sings “He is with you in the morning and the evening and your coming and your going”. Our family listens to and sings this song over and over (don’t ask for a recording, we’re not so vocally gifted). I still can’t get over the little tears that well up when I hang onto every lyric (especially the live version or when we sing during worship at church). The song really impacts me because I sense the Holy Spirit and have come to believe every word as truth; the song itself is a blessing!

I brought up the song because of the following verse in today’s reading of Psalm 121:

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121:8)

Instead of “keep”, other translations use the word “guard” (MSG) or “keeps watch” (NLT). Do you sense his presence in your coming and going out? Do you sense his presence keeping watch over you right now? I pray as I write, for God to bless you dear reader. Pause and reflect that even this moment was planned as you read this post; I pray also that you are seeking His face, His will, His forgiveness, and you are actively receiving his love.

Think about it, the God of the universe, the creator of Heaven and Earth, is with us wherever we go. It is so hard to grasp that he could be with billions of people all at the same time, no matter where we are. As you walk out the door, interact with others, wait for the traffic signal to change, wait for the medical appointment, stand in grocery store checkout line, the walk through the park, bringing the kids to school, travel to other cities and everything else we are able to do – God is with you.

In your going out and coming in today, pause again and say a little prayer of gratitude; acknowledge Him for his presence and praise him for his never-ending love for you! This same God with you is the one who sent his only son Jesus to live in human flesh, to die on a cross, and to live again – all to reach us, to save us from our sins.

“the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:25-26 ESV)

Ahhh-men… Ahhh-men, ahhh-men….