Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
Where does your help come from? Who or what do you look to first when problems arise? Do you reflexively make a phone call, a quick internet search, or ask a friend? Our default can be to look to the world for answers, but Psalm 121 says that our help comes from the Lord.
The Psalmist considers the mountains and hills and proclaims that the All Powerful Creator who made heaven and earth will certainly be his help and protector. What is the internet today when compared to our God who made the heavens? What is a security system or soldier standing guard compared to the Almighty God who watches over us? The words of verse 4 remind us that God never slumbers or sleeps.
Our help comes from the Lord. Prayer changes everything! When we seek the Lord, our eyes shift from the problems and fears in front of us and we focus on the One true source of our help and protection instead. Verse 5 tells us that the Lord is our “keeper.” God is our guardian and shield in the way that a roof shades us from the sun. In a day where jobs are often outsourced, it is comforting to know that God Himself is watching over you with His protective shield. Psalm 121 reminds us that God, the great Creator of the Universe is also very personal and relational. We are safe in His care.
It is ironic that our postures of frustration often point us to our Great Helper. In the moment when we “have had it” with a situation, we throw our head back with our eyes to the ceiling as we take a deep breath. We often throw up our hands in exasperation. We collapse to our knees in weakness. But oh that would remember the words of Psalm 121 in our despair and remember the One who is strong instead. Prayer changes everything! In our moments of need, let us lift our eyes to the Lord instead. Call out to Him in prayer today. Lift your hands in praise, and on bended knees fall at the feet of Jesus today!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I lift my hands in praise to you this morning. You are my help, my provision, and my protector! When problems surround me, take my eyes off of the world’s answers and teach me how to focus on You instead. Teach my heart to reflexively seek You first! In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.