I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever (Psalm 121, NLT).
God's reminders are definite, assuring us that in all that we walk through in this life, we're not alone. Regardless of the battles and the threats that surround us, the Lord’s presence is our peace and our protection.
We need these reminders today don’t we? There’s so much to feel anxious about. Even when we know God’s truth and believe that He’s in control…it can still be hard to maintain peace in our hearts and in our minds. As we look at the suffering around us and in the news, we can easily become drained and feel defeated.
Sometimes I want to close my eyes and believe that the pandemic will be over when I open them. But as a Christ-follower, I can’t close my eyes to the pain. My eyes must stay open. But, they can be lifted.
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.
He protects us from “all harm.” In other words, viruses of pandemic proportion, disease, hardship, and even death, has lost its sting. At the cross, Jesus not only secured our destiny, but He became our hiding place. Outside of Christ, there is no safe place to hide from harm, but in Christ, there is help, and there is peace. He is the anchor that will never fail. He is the faithful friend who is always there, ready to help. This is a gift of grace. This is a gift of love.
In 2 Timothy 2:1, Paul said:
“
Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
How can we be strong in the grace that is in Christ? Think about it regularly so that it never ceases to amaze you. A just and holy God embraces you, helps you, and takes care of you. Why? Because He loves you. And nothing can separate you from His love.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for your reminder that You are always with us. Thank You that You watch over our coming and going and that You neither slumber nor sleep. Thank You for Your constant care…that You are our help and strength in the daily battles that we face. Thank You that You are our Protector and Defender. Lord, help us to live in the grace of Christ every day. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You. For You alone are our Hope.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Beverly Funkhouser,
Pastor Round Hill Church of the Brethren
