I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121, NLT
Not long ago I saw a picture of the Grand Canyon. Visiting there is on our bucket list. One day, I hope to stand there and look at that spectacular sight. Maybe you’ve been. If so, I’d love to hear about it.
Even though it was exciting to see a picture of the Grand Canyon and think about going there, I’m sure it will be much more awe-inspiring when I get there and see it in person. As you know, looking at a picture is not the same.
When the people were singing Psalm 121, a Psalm of Ascent, they were making their way up to Jerusalem. As they walked toward the City of God, doing so reminded them of the grandeur and majesty of God. They thought about the fact there is One, and only One, who is their help. He is the maker of heaven and earth. As they went up to Jerusalem, they contemplated the God who made that mountain. And, they acknowledged that same God is the One who watches over them and keeps them from stumbling. He does not sleep nor turn his watch away from them. He protects them and guides them. Contemplating and singing about these things created a sense of awe and wonder.
Here’s the great news for us today. That same God, the One whom they sang to so many years ago is alive and well. He rules and reigns supreme. Despite what is going on in the world around us and in our lives individually, He is still on the throne. The culture can be crazy but God is not shaken. He is still our help. He does not sleep but watches over us. He knows, completely understands, and can handle anything that comes your way. It does not matter what you are facing. He is God, the ruler of heaven and earth.
Right now, why not join that great heavenly host in exalting your great and mighty God who watches over you, always has His eye on you, and does so both now and forever? You will be in good company as you raise your eyes and voices to the One who created every mountain, not just the one in Jerusalem, and every canyon, not just the one out west I want to see.
FROM THE ELDERS—Dr. Bill Denning