I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains
by Lt. Rebecca Helms
Yakima Valley, WA Corps – Northwest Division
It is my natural tendency to be somewhat of an over achiever. I like to have everything in my life and ministry carefully organized and coordinated, sometimes to an over-the-top extent. But the past two months have been filled with anxiety for me, and I have often felt like I am failing at many things. So much has been left undone – people I have not seen, phone calls and emails I have not returned, and after having a new baby boy, so much sleep I have missed out on. It feels as if the best version of Becky has gone missing. Yet, as I read through Psalm 121, I am reminded of God’s greatness and power, even in my weakness; especially in my weakness.
There is so much in life that can cause us to feel anxious and unworthy, even when we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is in control. Here is hope from God’s word, if you find yourself discouraged, struggling or weary:
1I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121 gives us nine ways that God protects and keeps us. But, how many times do we forget these measures God has in place for out benefit? How many times do our eyes look away from the God who promises to be our helper and keeper? We allow the busy workloads and routines, family, life circumstances, and even social media to allow our eyes to look elsewhere and forget the promises that God has given us.
In this song of ascent, the psalmist reminds me to lift my eyes from the pit of my inadequacy to the height of God’s sufficiency – from my not-enough to His always-enough. God is our helper. The God that made each of us in His image, and formed the mountains and earth, is the same God that keeps us from falling and failing. I am reminded in this Psalm to “look up” and focus on all the wonderful works He has done, rather than running circles around all the things I have left undone. When we look around, we can easily become discouraged, distracted and defeated. Worry and fear creep in, gripping us so tight that we lose our focus, causing us to lose strength and hope. God is our maker and keeper. He goes before us and stays awake to guide us on our path.
As we lift our eyes up to the hills, we shift our focus from self, to a God who always loves and protects us.
Today, I am choosing to set my eyes on God. He is Sovereign! He is with me, and He is with you.
Note: Also on our website is a PSALM 121 BIBLE STUDY and a SUCCULENT GARDEN CRAFT that coordinates with this devotional.
