Week 26: Psalm 121

Can I let you in on a little secret? I could be better at asking others for help. In most cases, I try to handle everything myself, which often leads me down a path of overwhelm and frustration. Obviously, I am not a superwoman. In my humanity, I am limited by time, space, and ability. Yet somehow, I always seem to foolishly convince myself that I can do everything without any (or perhaps little) assistance. Once I've reached my proverbial breaking point, the next words to escape my lips are often, “Lord, I need help!” Oh, if this would be my starting place and not an afterthought.

The psalmist here provides an excellent archetype for those who are slow to express their need for help. After lifting his eyes toward a mountain (that he was possibly about to traverse), the psalmist immediately acknowledges his need for God's help in moving forward. While we don't know the psalmist's exact location or why he saw this mountain as an obstacle, we do know that what lay before him was of enough concern for him to cry out for help from God. After affirming that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, is the source of his help, the psalmist then expounds how the Lord faithfully cares for His children as the great Protector and Provider. 

Our need for God's help is ever present. When we look upon our Lord and Savior to help us in our time of need, we can be sure that He hears our cries and will respond accordingly. God is a faithful father, and we can trust Him to provide all that we need in mind, body, and soul. And this is the heart of the psalmist's song here. 

I don't know what proverbial mountain you may be facing today. Maybe you are struggling to balance caring for your little ones with managing the home. Perhaps you are dealing with a chronic or terminal illness. You might be facing an unimaginable financial hardship. Regardless of the situation, we can look to our Creator as the ultimate source of help and blessing.

-Portia