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"I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth."
(Psalm 121:1-2)
While attending our niece's wedding in South Africa, we arrived early in time to hear the singer rehearsing his song. As I listened, I heard him repeat a line in the song that was very powerful. I had never heard the song before, but I was touched by the depth of this one lyric. During the wedding, the gentleman sang the song, and I was able to focus again on what he was singing, or, better said, on what God was saying to me through him. The lyric to which I am referring is, "I will praise you on the mountain and when the mountain is in my way." The song's title is "Highlands (Song of Ascent)" by Hillsong United. The song already has over 5.4 million views on YouTube. You can listen to the song here:
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In our biblical text for today, the Psalmist writes this Song of Ascent in which are some powerful reminders for the people of God. He chooses to lift up his eyes heavenward, toward the hills. Why? He does so because he knows the LORD God, who made the heavens and earth, would hear his cry for help.
One writer describes the scene in Psalm 121 this way: "The pilgrim, contemplating his journey through the hills to Jerusalem, found assurance that the Lord, the Keeper of Israel, would keep him at all times on his journey. The pilgrim-psalmist, as he contemplated his journey through the hills to Jerusalem, asked where his help came from. He found the answer to his question in the affirmation of his faith that the Lord, who created heaven and earth—with those hills—was his only Source of help." (Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 883))
I do not know what your current trial is, but I do know that God sees; He cares; He knows, and He will move mightily on your behalf to come to your rescue. Will He answer you just the way you are asking Him to answer you? Maybe he will, or maybe He will not. But as the heavens are higher than the earth (Isaiah 55:9), God's ways are higher than our own. So, whatever He does, please know it is for His glory and for your best. Will we understand completely on this side of heaven? There is a high probability that we will not. But one grand day, we will understand fully and see how God answered and worked in wonderful ways for His glory and our good. Romans 8:28 still says "all things"!
One "go-to" song for me is "My Help" by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. If you need to pause for a few minutes, worship the Lord, thank Him for His help to you, and be reassured of His love for you, then take some time to listen to this and be blessed:
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I am praying for all those who read this devotional today. I pray that God would lift up your head and strengthen you. I pray that He would intervene in powerful ways for His great glory and your eternal good. Do it, oh God, I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Podcast of the Week
Juan Carlos Ruiz, Pt. 2
Pastor Danny continues his discussion with Juan Carlos Ruiz, a US Marine veteran and member of Great Hills Baptist Church. Juan shares more of his testimony and talks about where he is today in his walk with Christ.
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