Where do you look for help?

When trouble comes, do you call a friend, search online, or talk to a parent.  We often try to solve the problem ourselves.

Those things aren’t necessarily wrong. In fact, God often works through doctors, counselors, family members, and countless other people to care for us and wisdom seeks the advice of wise council.

But Psalm 121 reminds us where our ultimate help comes from.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?”

For the people of Israel, this was a fitting question. Many scholars believe Psalm 121 was one of the Songs of Ascents, sung by pilgrims as they traveled to Jerusalem for the great festivals. The road was long, and the journey wasn’t always safe. There were steep climbs, rough terrain, and the constant threat of robbers.

As travelers looked toward the hills surrounding Jerusalem, they could easily have wondered what lay ahead.

Then came the answer.

“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

What confidence those words give.

Our help doesn’t come merely from someone who has good intentions or even some years of training or experience. It comes from the One who created the mountains, the valleys, and everything in between.

This is good to remember even when we are receiving God’s help through a person. But it’s especially helpful to remember when you find yourself in a situation where no person can help. People are limited. God is not.

The psalm goes on to say that God neither slumbers nor sleeps.

A few years ago, we lost power during a storm in the middle of the night. Like many parents, I walked through the house with a flashlight, checking on everyone before trying to deal with the problem. I reported the outage to the electric company, but eventually, I just went to bed because there wasn’t anything more I could do until morning…or even in the morning.

God never reaches that point.

He never grows weary or needs a break. He isn’t powerless to deal with any situation. There is never a moment when He isn’t watching over His people.

That doesn’t mean He promises a life without hardship. The pilgrims still had to make the journey. They still climbed the hills.

But they didn’t travel alone.

Neither do we.

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, has walked the road before us. He endured suffering, faced temptation, and even passed through death itself. Because He rose again, we know that no road we travel is outside His care.

So wherever this day leads you, lift up your eyes.

Not because the hills have the answers.

But because the Lord does.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for watching over me every moment of every day. When I feel uncertain or overwhelmed, remind me that my help comes from You alone. Keep me in Your care, strengthen my faith, and lead me safely through every step of life’s journey, through Jesus Christ my Lord.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.