My Help Comes from the Lord

Design by: Katy Roberts

Have you ever been on a hike?

Walked the path of a long trail, climbed to the top of a mountain? Experienced the joy of the earth crunching beneath your feet? Birds chirping, a soft breeze blowing, and the warm sun peeking through the trees?

 

 North Carolina

This is one of my favorite things to do. My family and I have hiked through the dusty hill country of Texas to the top of Enchanted Rock, and through the tall Pine and Cypress Trees at the beautiful Caddo Lake. We have enjoyed climbing on Turtle Rocks, finding markings in Indian Caves, and standing under waterfalls at the top of Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas. We have climbed Arkansas’s Mt. Nebo and witnessed amazing sunsets and sunrises; with deer making the perfect silhouette along the skyline. We have admired the most pristine waterfalls in North Carolina, where voices are drowned out by the rushing waters.

Enchanted Rock, Texas Hill Country

The joys of nature, hiking, and sharing Gods creation with my family is one of my favorite blessings. I feel closest to God when I am outdoors admiring his magnificent work. I almost always have praise rising from my lips at his grand displays.

And that brings me today to Psalm 121.

A Song of Ascents, sung by pilgrims on their way to worship God in Jerusalem.

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.

I remember my husband pointing out to me that more than likely at the top of each hill surrounding the pilgrims were alters where people would stop to worship false idols.  So imagine with me, we are hiking along this dusty trail with pilgrims all around us, and the song rises to our ears, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come from?”

We pause and look up to see the hills speckled with alters to false gods, and sadly, a few turn to go. Seeking help from Baal who promises the earth will bear crops. Or to Dagon who promises water and grain. Or up the hill to visit Ashtoreth who promises fertility.

And so along this journey we see people turning from God to follow things they believe will fulfill them and make them happy. Today, it might look like someone in search of wealth and riches. Consumed with the need for more. It might look like someone else saying, “I’m going to do what I want to do and nothing else matters” taking life into their own hands and making self their god.

And so we cry out in hopes that the truth will reach their ears, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”  The one who created these very hills. No one made my God with hands and clay. He made US with his hands and his clay.

“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Wow! What a promise!! The God who made heaven and earth is MY help!! He never sleeps!! He never slumbers!!

Have you become so burdened by life that you believe He is asleep? Has Satan hit you so hard you believe you are lost? Do believe the lies of the enemy. Have you attempted to find fulfillment in your own way? Leaving behind the one you love to go after false gods?

You have a God that sees. He is never asleep; no matter how you feel. Feelings often lie to us. We have to put complete faith in God and his holy word. The Lord is your keeper!! He is your SHADE at your right hand!! Take a deep breath and rest in that.

Whatever you are going through may truly be hard. It may feel like you are all alone. But please don’t believe that lie. You have a God that is right by your side. "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." Deut. 31:6  

"Weeping my tarry with the night, but joy comes with the morning." Psalm 30:5(ESV)

He sees the big picture and has your best interest at heart.  Please, won’t you let him hold you. Let him lead you and carry you each day. He is strong enough for whatever you are carrying. Just lay it down, sleep in peace, and let him who never slumbers watch over you. He is worthy of our trust.