God’s Sustaining Power

By Steve Clark

March 12, 2026

Psalm 121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

All of us want to feel safe. We want to know that we are protected from danger. We want policemen protecting our streets, so we will feel protected at home. The restaurants we attend have safety inspections, so we will feel protected when we eat. We want to feel protected from invaders, so we have a strong defense.

But where does our safety really come from? Does it come from our policemen, inspectors, or a strong national defense?

This Psalm the Israelites would often sing while making their yearly pilgrimage to worship in Jerusalem, and it was a dangerous trip! The travelers were vulnerable. So, to help remind them of how God protected them, they would sing this Psalm.

So, how does God protect us from danger?

He keeps us from falling. We see this in verses 3-4. There were many dangers. There was  the danger of falling. In verse 3, the word “moved” means “slip.” A person could fall and sprain an ankle, or break a leg or hip. Remember, there were no phones or taxi service. There was nothing! For us, this seems petty, but for them, it was a major concern and a very real danger. So, God promised his fearful journeymen that He would not “let their foot be moved.”

How does this apply to us? This promise doesn’t mean that God forbids us from sinning, and it doesn’t mean we won’t have to face the consequences for our actions. But it does mean that God nourishes us, not only through the harm that others would bring upon us, but even the harm we might bring upon ourselves.

Just like when we do all the things to protect our small children from harming themselves, our Heavenly Father protects us, not only from evil in this world around us, but even from ourselves.

Reflection: It’s all part of God’s sustaining power!