Psalm 121 is a brief, yet beautiful psalm written to encourage weary pilgrims as they face the many dangers and uncertainties that threaten to undo us on the journey of life. Though the road home to heaven is a hard one, Psalm 121 reminds God’s people that we are not alone on this journey. The Lord helps his people walk this road by protecting them every step of the way home, even in death, just as he protected his Son. If Christ is your ever-keeping protection, then God’s got you—now and forever.
Psalm 84 teaches us not only that true happiness exists but shows us where to find it. It’s a psalm that’s especially helpful for saints who find themselves struggling to fight for joy. Even when life seems full of hardship and suffering, we can find strength in the joy of knowing Christ and belonging to him. For the blessed life is the life most satisfied in God.
In Philippians 2:19-30, the apostle Paul puts forward two ordinary, faithful Christians who lived a life poured out in service to Christ and his people. Timothy genuinely cared for the spiritual interests of the Philippians, and Epaphroditus risked his life to serve Paul. In doing so, both men imitated our Savior, Jesus Christ, who sought us out in our time of need and gave up his life on the cross so that we might be saved. As we consider the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus, we are called to follow their example and to live a life worthy of gospel imitation by pouring out our own lives in service to Jesus Christ.