Sermon: You Need a Companion; Don’t Go Alone
Bible Passage: Psalm 121
I. The first person, young and inexperienced, is about to start a journey
II. Or he is in the middle of his journey most likely to Jerusalem
III. He probably is going to be alone in this journey that involves travel day and night
IV. The terrain of his journey is filled with significant amount of difficulties
1. Steep paths, ravines, gorges
2. Caves where animals take shelter
3. Potentially, the place was filled with bandits and robbers
V. The statement “I look up to the mountain” expresses his desire/dream, but at the same time he seems to be aware of the challenges (verse 1)
1. He seems to be filled with fear and anxiety
2. Probably, he was either not undertaking the journey or quitting his journey halfway
VI. Our of his fear and anxiety, he as an important question
1. “Where is my help going to come from?” (verse 1)
2. Is he frightened that he was going to be alone?
3. Is he doubtful that he could make this journey himself?
4. He has a desire, but reality does not seem to favor him!
VII. To the anxious-psalmist’s question, four answers emerge—one from the young, inexperienced and three from more experienced person
1. God the Helper (verse2 1-2)
2. God the always-wakeful watchman (verses 3-4)
3. God the protective umbrella (verses 5-6)
4. God the perpetual companion (verses 7-8)
VIII. All four of them are relevant to accomplish his dream
IX. Therefore, the second person in the psalm is encouraging the anxious first person to undertake the journey
X. He seems to be saying, “You need a companion; don’t go alone”
XI. Lessons from Psalm 121
1. One needs to have audacious godly dreams and life-purposes that can be beyond one’s immediate ability and capacity (make reference to Dream-Giver book)
2. One needs to have a godly encourager or a mentor, who will not stifle one’s quests but provide him/her with godly counsel
3. The pilgrim’s journey needs not be based on the conditions on ground, but it needs to be conditioned by the pilgrim’s relationship with the Lord
Take Away:
Ensure God goes with you
