Psalm 121 - Where's My Strength?

Psalm 121:1-8 NIV

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. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121 is a favorite of mine. I've always loved its opening verses. I look up to the hills. Where does my strength come from? My strength comes from the Lord.

I live in Indiana. I've seen mountains but they aren't where I live. We have hills. Some of the most breathtaking scenes are in southern Indiana, like at the Brown County State Park where you can see for miles from the hills there. But this psalm is from one looking up to peaks and wondering, not looking down.

The psalmist marvels at the mountains.They are mighty and majestic. The Greeks thought of the gods living atop their highest mountains, the Olympia range. The natural wonder of mountain peaks causes us to ponder big questions sometimes.

The psalmist wonders about the mountain's strength. It lasts for centuries upon centuries. Age to age the mountain stands tall against all the elements. It stands firm against the wind and storm. It stands high above the flood waters. Earthquakes may shake the mountain, but it does not fall. How amazing compared to the short and vulnerable life of humans.

Then the psalmist wonders at himself. Where does my strength come from? He answers with confidence. It comes from the Lord, from Yahweh, the God of Israel. The Lord is maker of heaven and earth. The mountain is puny compared to the vast universe! God made it all, everything the eye can behold and everything that we have never seen. God made the physical universe and the spiritual realm.

Strength comes to the faithful from The Lord, the creator of all life. The Lord has bound Himself to Israel in an everlasting covenant. He has promised good to His faithful. As His faithful journey along mountain trails and desert plains, river beds and rolling hills, they know of many dangers. The robbers who hide in the clefts, waiting to attack pilgrims, are a threat. The danger of falling from a height is very real. All kinds of things could go wrong on their journey to the temple in Jerusalem.

Psalm 121 is what some call a psalm of ascent. Pilgrims sing it as they approach the mountain upon which the temple is built. Mount Moriah, it was called in the days of Abraham. Now the world knows it as Zion. The psalm gives courage for the journey.

How's your journey going? We are all on a journey through life. Where is yours headed? My journey is to the kingdom of heaven where God reigns. His righteousness, goodness and peace will be with His people forever. I journey there with many dangers and difficulties along the way. But I share in the confidence of God's people too. God has bound Himself to me in promise through the blood of Jesus. Even though I may die, yet shall I live through faith in Christ. My strength comes from my Savior and Master.

Though I may slip and fall from the high path God has placed me upon, I know I will not fall to my doom. God is with me. He is ever faithful. Though I may get burned a bit by the trials of life along the way, I will not be consumed. Though I may fall prey to ruffians, I will be delivered. The Lord has promised good to me. He watches over me. He will bring me safely home to His courts in heaven.

I can't help but think of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

May the Lord draw you to His temple, the one set high within your heart. May your journey through life be blessed with confidence in the Lord that He is watching over you. May you know without a doubt that His grace will lead you home.