ABLE TO KEEP 

ABLE TO KEEP                                                                        Psalm 121:1-8

“-Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD – “ (vv 1-2)

It is not unusual when we say “No” to the world and “Yes” to God for a doubt to arise in our heart as to whether  or not God is able to keep us safe on the arduous journey that lies ahead.” This is what the pilgrims sang about in the second of the songs of Ascents. Commentators regard the psalm as conveying the same message as Philippians 4:7.  And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. The key word of Psalm 121 therefore is this – kept. Let’s face it, traveling along the road of faith is not always easy.

Many Christians are surprised at the number of difficulties they encounter on the way. A fairly new Christian said to me on one occasion, “I thought becoming a Christian meant floating to heaven on a bed of ease. But  I have been  rudely awakened.”

So what do we do when on the walk of faith, we meet with some major difficulty or trip over some obstruction? Often when in trouble we scan the horizon hoping that someone will appear and come to our aid. However, the psalmist is illustrating the point that we do not look to the hills for help but to the God of the hills. This is not to say of course, that the beauty of nature possesses no calming or healing influence – It does. But it is powerless to heal by itself alone. The hills cannot answer back. The mountains cannot love or laugh or weep. The help we need when troubles come is not found in nature. Our help comes from the Lord.

PRAYER LINE: O God, forgive me that so often I look around when I need help. Give me the attitude of the psalmist who look not to creation but to the Creator. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. (EDWJ)

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Great blessings are often followed by great temptations.