Help!

Scripture

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

~Psalm 121:2, NLT

Quote

It would be inconceivable for the omnipotent One who created heaven and earth to be impotent when it comes to guarding and keeping His children.

~Max Anders

Psalm 121 is the second of 15 Ascent Psalms. It was my mother’s favorite Psalm. It was also David Livingstone’s favorite. Before boarding the vessel that carried him to Africa, Livingstone read Psalm 121 to all his friends and family who had gathered to see him off. Livingstone’s mother-in-law {Mrs. Robert Moffatt} assured him that she would pray this Psalm over him daily. As the Pilgrims neared Jerusalem they could see the hills in the distance. The Mount of Olives stands higher than Zion but both appear as bill hills and Zion is only 2700 feet above sea level. It is not a majestic mountain. It is a mole hill compared to Mount Everest or even Mount Hermon which would be the only snow capped mountain in Israel. The Psalm begins, “I will lift  up my eyes unto the hills.” Israel’s help didn’t come from the hills but the one who created the hills. Their help came from the LORD.

Psalm 121 reminds us of three precious truths: [1] The Christian Life is an ascent, an upward climb. It reminds me of the old hymn “Higher Ground.”

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found,
“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

[2] We need an Upward Focus–I will lift up my eyes. Mrs. Moffat told David Livingston, “Keep Jesus as the apple of your eye.” This world is filled we alluring distractions: it is easy to lose focus. The Jews were persecuted by their enemies but these pilgrims sang praises to God as they looked up and saw the hills of Zion.

[3] The LORD is our Helper and our Guardian. He is sentry that never goes off duty. He never sleeps. He does not need rest. He is ever vigilant. Six times the word keep or guard are used in this Psalm. The six highlighted words are all the same in Hebrew.