Philippians

***Phil 1:11….Phil 2:19-24…..Phil 2:25-30 and Phil 4:21

-Paul had people around him to help him out & pray for him…

-Paul had Jesus with Him – Hebrews 13:5

                                         Psalm 121

                       HELP IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY

BACKGROUND

     The Assyrian army were getting ready to invade Israel

     Hezekiah received a threatening letter from the Assyrians

     Isaiah 37:14-20 – Hezekiah prayed in the temple and asked for help

***ALWAYS GO THE THE LORD FIRST***

verse 1 – I WILL LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE LORD (Looks Outward)

-maybe the Egyptians will come and help us

            – Where will my help come from? (Looks Inward)

-this is a question the author asks

verse 2 – MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD (Looks to the Lord)

-our help only comes from the Lord

-this is a song of Ascent – sung on the way to the temple from the lowlands

          The Lord can help us because He made the Heaven and the Earth…

—He is a God who cares and can….

vs3-4 – HOW DOES THE LORD HELP US?

-The Lord will not allow our foot to be moved – He Energizes Us……..

-this speaks about taking a stand

-the Lord will help us when we receive a bad report

Example:  Israel – Numbers 13:1-2, 17-24, 30-35

-Israel received a promise from the Lord to take the promised land and live there

-12 spies were sent up into the land and they accepted the bad report

-they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years

-Caleb and Joshua gave a good report and declared the good report

-GIVE VOICE TO THE WORD

vs5-7 – HOW DOES THE LORD HELP US?

-The Lord defeats All Of Our Enemies and Evil

v6 – They thought Heat stroke and Moon stroke could affect people

                   1. THE LORD HIMSELF FIGHTS OUR ENEMIES DIRECTLY

                             Isaiah 37:36-38 – do not mess with the body of Christ or Israel

                    2. THE LORD GIVES US ENERGY AND STRENGTH TO FIGHT THE ENEMY OURSELVES

shade – holds back the sun and heat and refreshes us so we can fight

-the right hand represents the fighting hand, power and strength.  We must fight the enemy ourselves through the authority of Jesus Christ

evil – means something wicked and injurious.  It comes from a root signifying the breaking up of all that is good….

verse 8 –  HOW DOES THE LORD HELP US?

He helps us by preserving or keeping our souls

-GOING OUT AND COMING IN – this refers to our regular routines of life

-the Lord is with us wherever we go and will always keep our souls – will always make sure we make it to heaven

***The Jesus leaves earth and the Holy Spirit comes who is ANOTHER HELPER

-another – means another of the same kind