Read the Psalm

As we look to the Lord in contemplation, we move from a place of reactivity to responsiveness. This may be experienced as vulnerability. Because we may have spent many years holding reactive, protective stances in relation to others and the world around us, letting them go may leave us feeling naked.

The remedy to getting lost in our vulnerability is looking more intently toward the God who holds our vulnerability. The last four verses of Psalm 121 provide a beautifully intense picture of God as our keeper. Note how many times the word is repeated in these verses for emphasis. The word keeper could also be translated guard. In the ancient Hebrew, it was often used to speak of guarding or protecting a flock or guarding in a military sense. Additionally, this word was used as God encouraged His people to keep or guard the commandments. 

Again, we observe the initiating, relational nature of God. He invites us to guard and keep what is important to Him (His heart as expressed in the commands of Scripture) just as He guards and keeps what is important to us. The “right hand” referred to in verse 5 speaks of a place of honor and significance. So, giving shade or protection to our right hand means that He protects what is important and significant in our lives. In Psalm 16, we read that God’s right hand is a place of joy and pleasure.

And, this guarding and keeping of our lives is comprehensive. It touches everything, He is with us both day and night as well as our going and coming at all times both present and future. If you can think if any time or situation, His keeping of our lives is in play. There are no limits to His protection in the external world and none in our internal world either. He guards our lives (vs, 7) which is the word, nephesh, denoting the soul or totality of one’s life – mind, heart, strength, and body. 

This may evoke thoughts of Psalm 139, “Where shall I go grom your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” The gracious answer is no where and David continues by giving thanks that God created Him (vv. 13-16) and thinks about Him (vv. 17-18). We are held in God’s awareness because He loves us. He guards and keeps what is important to His heart.

Being vulnerable and opening ourselves up can feel counterintuitive and yet it is the way to that we move toward intimacy in relationships. In our relationship with God, there is no substitute for vulnerability. If we are not vulnerable, we are holding part of ourselves from God. In a book written almost 50 years ago, Henri Nouwen made the observation that: “The spiritual leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in the world with nothing to offer but his or her own broken and vulnerable self.”

Most often, vulnerability is forced upon us. It is not something we choose. However, we do get to decide if we will respond in trust or shut down our hearts to the care and affection of the Father. This was the choice that confronted the Apostle Paul as he struggled with some kind of disorienting affliction. He asked God to take it away but was left with these words from God: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9)

As we choose to embrace vulnerability, we encounter the sufficiency of God’s love. His love is enough for us. It is powerful enough to meet us in our weakness, our distresses. We may stumble a bit as we open our hearts to trusting His presence and love, but continued willingness to be vulnerable reorients us to the path home. Home is His presence and the more vulnerability we allow, we deeper we are able to rest in His presence and love.

Reflection questions: How do you experience vulnerability? What is it like to choose to stay in vulnerability even as other voices vie for your attention? Beneath the counter-intuitive nature of vulnerability, what is your desire?

Prayer: Lord, in Your mercy, help me to embrace my vulnerability and need as I journey through this life. Thank you for inviting me to rest in Your love. May that be true of me today. Amen.