Ps.121:1,2 – I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Every time I read this Psalm my thoughts immediately go to a morning in the winter of 1976. Parris and I were part of a tree planting team living in the mountains near Coos Bay, Oregon. We had a tent camp out in the areas of the forest that were being replanted, we were the tree planters and I was going through a difficult time, living in the mountains in a tent and planting trees in those difficult conditions. I was tired of being cold and wet and didn’t want to plant anymore trees. I was up before daybreak that morning praying next to the Coos River when I was reflecting on this verse from Psalms. There was a mountain in front of me (of course there was we were in the mountains) and I remember looking at this mountain as I called out to the Lord to strengthen me to finish this tree planting assignment. For those who don’t know, our Bible School sent a team of us to plant trees to bring in financial support for our school. As I reflect on that moment in my life I become aware that I was not looking to the hills for my help but the maker of hills who was more than able and willing to help me finish my assignment with joy. Here is how Augustine describes this verse.
“However just people may be, however preeminent in grace, however luminous their wisdom, however great the merits that set them on a pinnacle, they are only mountains. Pay attention to the psalm: “I lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from where my help shall come,” because “there was a man sent by God, whose name was John; this man came to bear witness to the light.” So you have lifted up your eyes to the mountain John, from where your help may come, because he is bearing witness to the light. Continue with the psalm; do not stop on the mountain: “My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” That is Christ; “all things were made through him.” He is the constructor of the world; he is, you see, the Word of the Father; the Father made all things through the Word.”
So since you are reading this devotion and probably reading some scripture as well this morning you are obviously looking to the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, for help. Trust Him, look to Him in prayer and worship, expect Him to move on your behalf. He answered my prayers that cold morning by the Coos River. He helped me go to work that day, finish my season at Bible College, and then He sent me to pastor in New Orleans. Fifty years later I am still trusting in the maker of heaven and earth.
