"I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD" (Ps. 121:1–2a).
Because the thoughts of believers often stray from the promises of God as revealed in His Word, these believers become disquieted and disturbed by concerns, temptations, and trials. Psalm 121 reminds us of God’s providential care and divine protection over His church. “The thoughts of the godly are never so stayed upon the word of God as not to be carried away at the first impulse to some allurements,” Calvin wrote, “and especially when dangers disquiet us, or when we are assailed with sore temptations, it is scarcely possible for us, from our being so inclined to the earth, not to be moved by the enticements presented to us, until our minds put a bridle upon themselves, and turn them back to God.… Although all the helps of the world, even the mightiest, should offer themselves to us, yet we ought not to seek safety anywhere but in God.”
From whence does your help come? Does it come from friends, family, doctors, employments? No, even though God uses these things, your help ultimately comes from Him. If you put your hope and expectation in these other things, neglecting the One who created you and cares for you, your peace will slip away like water through your fingers. No matter how much you pour into your life from these other sources, you will come up dry and empty. “We are naturally more anxious than is needful in seeking alleviation and redress to our calamities, especially when any imminent danger threatens us, yet we act a foolish and mistaken part in running up and down through tortuous mazes,” Calvin wrote, “and that therefore we ought to impose a restraint upon our understandings, that they may not apply themselves to any other but God alone.”
Often when we lack peace and an unsettled feeling invades our hearts, we have neglected prayer and other means of grace God has given to us. We keep our eyes fixed on the valleys instead of lifting our eyes to the hills. Your help comes from the Lord, “who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.”
God cares for His people as a loving and protective Father; forget not to turn to Him in all things, to trust Him in all circumstances. Only in this will you know a peace that passes all understanding.
Spend some time this week memorizing this psalm. Meditate on it and thank God for its mighty promises. Look to it for encouragement from the Lord, and use it to encourage others this week who might be distressed and uncertain. If you have faith in Christ, you are not alone, for He watches over you always. Praise Him for that today.
