Mark Keathley’s painting “Mountain Glory” overlooks our living room. Occasionally, I take a deep breath, sit back, and step into that painting to stare at the scene before me. Clusters of perky purple flowers stand at attention beneath my feet. Stacks of cold, gray rocks poke their heads up through the greenness all around me. Not far away, a mother bear lumbers down the mountain slope toward her three cubs, who seem to be just as enchanted by God’s artistry as I am. Half the billowing clouds nestle courteously below distant mountaintops, clearing my view of the higher ones splitting the morning sunshine into golden rays. Every time I still myself here, without fail, the words of Psalm 121 drift into my thoughts: “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)
Psalm 121 is the second of a group of psalms known as the Songs of Ascent. These songs were sung by Israelites making their way to Jerusalem for three yearly festivals. As they journeyed along, they kept their eyes on the holy city. They were confident God’s watchful eye would never leave them. Even the brilliance of the sun’s rays would not scorch them, and the darkness of the night would not overtake them.
We can have that same confidence as we journey toward our heavenly city. Like the mother bear in Keathley’s painting, the same God of the Israelite pilgrims watches over us. Cold, gray rocks of conflict, temptation, pride, or bitterness may poke their heads up in our peaceful valleys, but the Spirit empowers us to walk securely. God’s loving hand whisks the clouds of worry and doubt out of our way so we can bask in the warmth of the Son’s grace. Our job is to keep watching, keep trusting, and keep moving. I like how Spurgeon said, “Our feet shall move in progress, but they shall not be moved to their overthrow.” Thank you, God!
You have a lot on your plate today. Remember, your help comes from the One who made heaven and earth! Take a deep breath, sit back for just a moment, and step into Psalm 121:
“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 NIV)
Travel on, weary pilgrim. The city is getting closer and closer!
