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. Psalm 121:1,2
In the first post on this topic (click here to read) we saw the meaning of verse 1. The psalmist was looking up onto the mountains and the hillsides, and seeing the temples to false gods and houses of idol worship he asks, “Where does my help come from? Does my help come from idols? Do I seek the help of false gods, of gods that are not gods, for deliverance, for protection, for the needs of everyday life?”
Why would anyone ever seek help from a source other than God? There are many reasons, but we will look at just a few.
Some people believe that God wants them to take care of themselves. They think He is too busy to hear prayers about the “small” problems in life. They only want to take the “big” problems to God. These people tend to rely on human wisdom, and “common sense”, to solve the problems in their lives.
Some people are hesitant to take their requests to God because they fear He will require something of them. They want help, but they want it on their own terms.
Others have gone to God for help, but have not been happy with the answer He provided. So they look to a different source, hoping to receive the answers they want.
Some who have gone to God find themselves unable to wait for His answer to come. They grow impatient with God’s timing, so they search for answers on their own.
If the desire of your heart is to walk faithfully day by day with God, you need to settle these questions in your heart and mind now, before trouble hits.
- You must know in your heart that God cares about all of your problems, not just the big ones.
- You must be willing to change if that is what God requires.
- Your desire must be for the answer God wants to give, not the answer you wish to receive.
- You must be prepared to wait for the goodness of God in the goodness of his timing.
In Romans 8:28 Paul says, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” We must choose to believe that this verse is true for us.
The psalmist has settled these questions in his heart. His answer to his own question is found in verse 2:
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth
“No,” he says, “my help comes from the Lord. I choose to seek help from the God of the universe. When I am in distress, when I am in need, when my life seems to be crashing down around me, I will not look to gods made of wood or stone. I will not seek help in the human wisdom of my culture.
“I know there is only one true source for help and comfort in this world. That source is the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
He knew the search for answers from a source other than God was futile. The same God who had delivered Israel out of slavery in Egypt had promised to provide for them, to sustain them, to protect them.
What do you believe? Where do seek answers for your life? Does your help come from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth? Or do you sometimes find yourself looking at the world around you, wondering what your life might look like if you chose to follow the world’s wisdom?
You will often be tempted to follow the ways of the world. You must choose to contend for the truth.
Proverbs 3:5,6 says:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Choose today to believe that your only true help comes from God. Believe that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father. Trust Him with all your heart.