Grace Notes: Gracious Help

    “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

      From where shall my help come?

      My help comes from the Lord,

      Who made heaven and earth.”

                  Psalm 121:1-2 AMPC

 Grace Perspective:

     We all need help. Where we turn to find help reveals a lot about whom we trust. The writer of this Psalm turned away from the valley he was in and looked up towards the mountains, seeking help from a source he couldn’t see with his eyes. Yet, he knew by experience that the Lord would provide what he needed. 

     The psalmist reminds himself and us that the LORD made the heavens and the earth. More importantly, God has not left us alone to struggle through life. The words of this song encourage us to turn away from the shallow and fleeting help the world offers and turn to the One who promises to help when we call upon Him. 

A touch of grace:

  Where do you look for help?

  How long does it take you to ask for help? Why?

 Grace Application: 

    Help! I’m not very good at asking for help. How about you? I’ve confessed to you before that self-reliance is a sin I’m regularly confessing. This Psalm reminds me that He has proven that He is my help, my provider, my strength, refuge, and my strong tower. It’s humbling to think that the Lord Who made heaven and earth wants to be my help. His love is so strong and sure that He will provide what I need when I come to Him for help. His help may not be what I expect, but He knows exactly what I need.

   Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a recognition that we aren’t meant to do life alone. Seeking the Lord doesn’t mean we don’t ask help from others. We need others to help us through the valleys and to encourage us as in our journey towards heaven. The Lord provides like-minded travelers so we can remind each other that He has proven Himself trustworthy over and over. As we turn our eyes and hearts toward the Lord, we can trust that He will graciously bring the help we need at just the right time. Trust Him, dear friend, and know that He is faithful.

Prayer:

 Gracious Father, You are my help, my strength, my refuge, and my strong tower. You made the heavens and the earth to reveal Your glory. Forgive me when I refuse Your help and try to do life on my own. Help me remember that You are faithful to bring help when I seek You. Help me to encourage others as we turn our eyes toward the mountains of heaven, knowing You wait for us there. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.