Psalm 121
Have you ever had a problem as big as a mountain in your life? The problem is so huge and difficult, like a mountain, that you despair finding a way around it. Probably most people have, or at least they’ve had problems that seem like daunting hills. Where do you look for help? In our psalm selection for today our psalmist looks at the hills he faces and testifies that his help comes from the Lord. Let’s see what the Lord will teach us from this passage of Scripture.
Travelers, particularly in the days before airplanes, trains, and smooth, paved roads, would find crossing mountains and high hills a difficult task. Dangers could lurk in the mountains, such as robbers, wild animals, stormy weather, and dangerous terrain. Our problems can seem just as threatening. Where can we find help? (vs. 1). Do we run to the bank or an attorney? Do we turn to a friend or relative, or look to the government? Some may be well-meaning, but none of them are a sure and reliable source of help. As our psalmist found out, the only sure and true help we will ever find is in the Lord God. He instructs us to look to the Creator for help, not to any of creation (vs. 2).
Human help is unreliable, fallible and faulty. In contrast, our Lord is dependable, faultless, and almighty. He is always there and ready to help us. Have you ever felt the need to call a friend or relative, only to look at the clock and fear that they would not be awake and you would be disturbing them? That is never a problem with God, for He never slumbers or sleeps (vs. 3-4)! God does not sleep. He does not take breaks or go on vacation. He is always there, watching over His children with care. God is always alert and attentive to our cries. His protection is not just for a few hours a day, but is round the clock protection, (vs. 6). Though He is the omnipotent Lord of the universe, God has unending love for believers, and will never fail in protecting us. He has also provided everything we need in order to avoid sin. The Holy Spirit directs and empowers us, and His Word enlightens our path. We should never trust a lesser power than God Himself.
When we are going through difficult or traumatic times we may not feel God’s hand. However, He is there, watching over us and helping us at the right moment (vs 7 - 8). Regardless of what the devil brings our way, we must never give in to the temptation of feeling we are helpless. The Lord is there to help us. God has us covered and protected on every side. Our help is wrapped up in all that God is. His protection will never cease. God will protect us throughout all eternity. We are forever safe with Him.
God doesn’t promise us a problem-free life. But His Word does say He promises to keep our soul. Sometimes He does allow pain in our life. God uses it to strengthen our faith, and to make us more like Jesus. God knows what is best. His loving and gracious hand will guide us through the trials.
What we are looking at and focusing on in our life is the direction we will be heading. When we fixate on our problems and struggles, we orient our lives around them. We need to shift our focus off of our problems, which may seem like a mountain, and put the focus on to God, who is on a higher plain. We need to look past our problems to the One who can help us. Seek to be on His higher ground.
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