Where Does My Help Come From?

“I lift up my eyes to the hills – Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1 NIV

Today I am reminded that we live in a strange world that calls “good” evil and “evil” good. The world’s value system clearly is not God’s value system. Although we can look and find many good causes in this world and many good caring people, still at the very core of our society evil masquerades as good.

As I process what is going on around me, I sometimes become discouraged and feel that much of life is whirling out of control. The poor economy and financial struggles keep my focus on survival as I struggle to remain hopeful for the future. Yet as Christians, we can know that our focus must remain on God. I must constantly remind myself that God has provided for me in the past, he is currently providing for me, and he will provide for me in the future as well.

God is our hope, our peace, and our provider. God is all that we need physically, financially, emotionally, and most importantly eternally. God will faithfully provide and sustain all of us during all of our circumstances and he will give us wisdom and peace for every type of problem that we will ever face. God will get us safely through each and every circumstance.

Psalms 121: 3-4 reminds us “He will not let your foot slip –
he who watches over you will not slumber…or sleep.”
Verse 8 in the same chapter says, “The Lord will watch over your life;
…your coming and going both now and forever more."

Do not be confused. I used to think that being a Christian would some how put me in a special bubble that would keep me and all those I loved safe and secure. The truth is because sin entered the world we are all subject and susceptible to all kinds of difficult situations. Jesus reminds us in John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Wow! Take heart! Have hope! Why? It is because Jesus has overcome the world. Jesus came, he did his job, he died, and he rose again. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God the Father praying for me and for you. In addition, he has sent his Holy Spirit, to be our helper in times of trouble. His Spirit lives inside each and every believer. Now pay attention! Jesus over came the world thought his obedience to death on the cross. Because he did his job and did it right we can take heart! We can have hope for eternity. Jesus is coming again and he is the winner! Because he wins – we win. My help comes from Jesus Christ!

Questions:

Where is the first place you go for help in time of trouble?

How do you find strength in the fact that the Lord is your helper?

What would your circumstance look like if you couldn’t “take heart?”

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Today I am thrilled with the knowledge that you Lord are my help in time of trouble! Lord, help me to know that even if I am on my way to the “poor house,” a courtroom, a hospital, or the cemetery you are my help in time of need. Even if my doctor’s report says that my life is terminal help me to cling to you until I feel your peace. Thank you Lord that you said, “take heart.” Lord, I realize that my life would not have any meaning or purpose without that hope. I accept that my life will be difficult but I rejoice in knowing that because I have accepted you as my Savior, my life in eternity will be perfect!

With thanks and praise, in Your Name I pray. Amen.