Scripture
Today’s focus verse comes from Psalm 121:1-2, ” I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. “
Background/Application
We all need help. Some of us are just more honest about it than others. In raising my kids, I constantly need help trying to point them to Jesus while not undoing with my own actions the very lessons I’m teaching. The writer of this Psalm points out some wonderful truths that instruct us in our state of needing help. One point is that he looked for help expectantly. You might be somewhat faithful in asking for help, but how supremely confident are you that help will come? Are you so expectant that you’re surprised if it doesn’t happen immediately? Another area to consider is where our help comes from. The psalmist’s help came from the one Lord Who created heaven and earth. Where are you expecting your help to come from?
Is it in what your money can buy, or in who you can influence, or in how you can manipulate the circumstances? What puny resources to draw on. Also, the writer says he looked up to the hills, and that reminded him that his help came from God. When you look around you, where does your mind take you? To the One who conquered death for you or to the problem that would rather have you doubt? And we’re also reminded that our help so often comes from somewhere other than where we are looking. We want to control, but our help comes in letting go. It sounds so simple, but it’s still hard for many to do. If you would realize that in your sinful pride you are choosing yourself over Christ, then perhaps you could stop trying to rule your little part of the world. God Almighty stands ready to help. We all need that.
Charge
As we seek Him today, ask God to help you in whatever you need help, believing that the power that created everything is the same power that will help you. Lift up your eyes for help, because you are kneeling at the cross.
