Week 10
Psalm 121:1-2 “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
The context of the psalm helps us think about its meaning and application to our lives. This is a psalm (song) that was sung by the pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem for a feast. Jerusalem sits on a hill, and as the pilgrim comes closer and closer to the city, he goes up to the hill on which Jerusalem sits. Perhaps the pilgrim thinks about his life, his situations, his struggles, and his challenges as he comes ever closer to the city of God and the temple where God has chosen to make His presence known to His people.
Even so, Christians are on the path in life that leads to the city of God, that majestic city made without human hands eternal in the heavens. And as we journey on, we find trials, temptations, trouble, and tragedy that weaken our hearts and press heavily upon our souls. But we are journeying to the great city of God. The Lord Himself has put us on this path of righteousness, and this sojourn is His.
We walk mile after mile weary, tired, worn, strained, burdened, and hurting. We look up to the hill to which we are traveling and wonder, “How will we make it?”
But the psalmist knew an important secret, and he tells it to us. Our help comes from the Lord. Let us not query about strength for today, for God is the maker of heaven and earth, His power is sufficient by His grace to help us along. But we are so frail and weak, but the Lord does not sleep or slumber; He needs no rest. He is constant and will always be there for us. We question at times during our dark forebodings if God is good and faithful to us. But the Scripture reminds us that He will not allow our foot to slip, He is our keeper, He is our shade in the heat of trial, He will not allow the hot sun of hardship to smite us, He will protect us from all evil, He will keep our souls, and He will guard our coming in and going out forever. There is nothing that we need on this holy adventure that God does not provide. Surely, as David said in Psalm 23:6, “Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” We will make it to that celestial city because God is with us, He is for us, and He will see to us all along the way.
Christian friend, do not despair of your challenge and journey. Though the way is hard at times, still you are on the greatest trek of your life, and God will get you there.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to trudge this day through the muck and mire that seems to surround me. I trust in You. Thank You for Your all-sufficient grace and magnificent mercy in my life. Amen.