Psalm 121 - Our God takes no power naps

In ancient times, people built altars on the tops of mountains to call on the help of the gods of earth and sky. Perhaps they felt that being on a high place got them a few steps closer to their deities. Elijah mocked this belief system. When the god Baal didn't answer the prayers and antics of Baal's priests, Elijah scoffed:

“You’ll have to shout louder,”... “for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be wakened!” (1 Kings 18:27, New Living Translation 2015)

By contrast, Psalm 121 says,
"1 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! 3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. 4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. 5 The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. 7 The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. 8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." (New Living Translation, 2015).

When my two grandchildren (aged 9 and 4 months, respectively)  get tired enough, they finally fall asleep, even in midday. That gives the parents time to get caught up on chores--or maybe take a nap themselves since they don't have to be constantly watching over their children.

When we fall asleep, God doesn't... even to take a power nap. He isn't tied to a place -- like a mountain. And His care isn't limited to daylight hours. He is beyond time and space, yet watches over every intimate detail of our lives.

If He is watching out for us, and verse three say, "He will not let you stumble,"  then why do bad things happen in life? The answer is found in verse seven: "The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your soul," as it is put in one translation (NASB).

Father, even when I go through hardship, I commit my innermost self to You, preserving my soul for the final day of redemption, restoration, and healing (1 Peter 4:19). I trust in You, the one who never slumbers or sleeps. In Jesus' name, Amen.