Every Morning I Need This Reminder

I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Have you ever been on a road trip or a hike and you can see way off in the distance your destination? It can at times feel so close, yet actually be so far away. The writer of Psalm 121 was doing the same thing. It says he looked up to the hills. Most likely the distant hills of Jerusalem as he travelled toward the city. Though the writer is still far off, he could see his appointed place of worship in the distance as he lifted his eyes up toward the mountains. “He is not far from God, however. In God’s keeping, even though far from the center of external worship, the pilgrim realizes his safety.”

"The point is wonderful. The singer understood that the group didn’t need to arrive at Jerusalem before they came under God’s protective care. He would watch over them on the journey. God is just as present in the journey as in the destination."

Isn’t that true? It’s easy to believe the destination is safer than the journey. It’s easy to believe that once we arrive we are better off. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve thought, “if I can only get here, or if I can only have this, then I’ll be happy, fulfilled, satisfied, feel at peace. But God isn’t with us anymore in our destination then he was on our journey there. When we believe that our hope, peace, and joy can only be found in the destination (a bank account goal, political candidate, our health, body image, cure for coronavirus, schools open again, relationship status) we become a slave to them. They own us because we are dependent on them. While I long for the comfort of financial stability, good political leadership, a cure for this virus and life to return back to normal, I also long for peace that surpasses understanding, faith that trusts God in all circumstances and seasons, and hope that is outside of myself. These things can only be found in Christ.

So where does your help come from? Where are you seeking to control your life, your situation? Friends, remember our help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth. Don't resist his help, embrace it. God isn’t in any less control now, then He was a year ago. Though our situations change, He never does. Fix your eyes on your eternal destination, which will give you hope as you journey through this life.