One of my favorite Psalms is Ps. 121, which begins with the author declaring, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Switzerland, of course, is known for its beautiful mountains. Simply gazing at the majestic peaks fills us with a sense of wonder. Some of us relish hiking in the mountains, others of us are thrilled with skiing down them. For us, the mountains are something to enjoy.
That wasn’t true for the ancient Israelites. For them, the mountains represented danger and challenge – hidden thieves, treacherous trails, unpredictable weather, etc. When the Israelites lifted their eyes to the mountains in the course of their journeys, they recognized they needed help to navigate their way safely. And that help came from the Lord, who as it says in vs. 5, watched over them and protected them day and night (vs.6).
Unless we are driving on a narrow, steep, snow-covered mountain road, we likely don’t fear mountains today. But we all face “mountains” of other sorts – obstacles and challenges and fears that may cause worry and anxiety. Such “mountains” may relate to our health, marital conflict, family problems, financial woes, loss of a job, wayward children, personal insecurities, and so on.
Ps. 121 powerfully reminds us that we do not face such challenges alone. God is there to protect us, guide us, comfort us, and provide for us. As followers of Jesus, we are not promised a problem-free life, but we have the assurance that the One who “will never slumber or sleep” (vs. 4) is with us always, working through all the situations of life to bring about His good will. So, we can be encouraged!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Bob