Scripture: Psalm
121
Psalms 120-134 are called the Songs of Ascents. These psalms
are thought to have been read as people traveled up to Jerusalem (which is on a
hill) on their way to festivals there, or, perhaps, on the steps leading up to
the Temple itself. This psalm would have us imagine a person in need looking up
and realizing that our help and protection come from the Lord who created all
things. While the psalmist was likely thinking of either Jerusalem or the
Temple Mount when he wrote this, the Gospel lesson this week will have us think
of lifting our eyes to a different hill: Golgotha, the Hill of the Skull where
Jesus was “lifted up” to die for us.
Teaching
We might be able to relate to the image of the psalmist as a
person who, in a time of need, looks around and wonders, “Who will help me?”
The needs of our lives are so many and so much greater than we are. It is a
blessing of faith to recognize that our helper may be physically unseen, but he
is nonetheless a potent helper. Our helper created all things, protects us
individually, and preserves our lives.
The way the psalmist speaks may feel challenging to us. He
says God will not allow us to be moved, that no harm can come to us, and that
no evil can befall us. Yet we often experience things our lives in which we are
moved, harmed, and evil befalls us. How do we reconcile this in our minds? It
is a matter of perspective – which can be hard for us to hold on to! God has
redeemed and saved us, and nothing can take his promises from us. The day will
come when the troubles of this life will be seen as “light and momentary.” (2
Cor. 4:17) Then we will see how God used our experience of movement, harm, and
evil to his glory and our good, and we will know our helper never let us down.
(Rom 8:28)
Life
Dr. John Kleinig states that, “Everyone meditates.”[1]
He argues that worry is actually a form of meditation; meditation on bad things
happening to ourselves or our loved ones. The psalm addresses this by saying, “I
lift up my eyes….” He begins to look at God in the midst of the worries and
other troubles and finds God’s help in the midst of them.
What are your eyes fixed on? Are you looking down at your worries
and troubles? Or are you lifting your eyes to the Lord? Consider Jesus’ words
in John 3 when he said the Son of Man must be lifted up just as Moses lifted up
the serpent in the wilderness. We lift our eyes to him for healing,
forgiveness, life and salvation.
Prayer
Use Psalm 121 to guide you prayer today. Pray that the Holy
Spirit would help you lift up your eyes to the One who was lifted up for you.
Pray faith and confidence to trust the words of the psalm so that you may rest
in God’s protection.
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