God Promises to Help You

Psalms 121:1 A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
 
THESE two verses may be one of the most common Bible passages used for a call to worship as church begins. It is a wondrous thing to know the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, is your help.
   When we consider God’s character, though, we may not list “helper” as one of his traits. To most of us, a helper is someone who is under another’s authority. A helper is not a leader, but an assistant. Is God an assistant to your needs?
   But that is not the way the psalmist knew God. When he says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills.” he exalted God’s creation. The fertility of the hills that produced olives, grapes, grain and livestock were God’s gift to Israel. He had created the land and given it to Israel, his children of the promise. When we now consider and look to the earth, we always remember God is the Maker of heaven and earth. We consider his power to create, and we understand there is nothing less or minimal about God’s character. When you lift your eyes to see God’s creation, you know he is one who has the power to help you ascend to heaven’s throne.
   The psalm’s remaining eight verses inform us that God, the helper, continually watches and protects you. The LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth v 3 will not let your foot slip. He will protect your soul when you lie down and when you rise. The Almighty is always awake and on guard. Three times the song assures God’s people he is the always-present and all-powerful helper, who V 3b watches over you.
   The apostle Peter affirms this truth and teaches us God’s help is for those who believe: 1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” How well Peter, this rugged fisherman become chosen apostle, knew of God’s constant watch on our lives.
   The psalm also emphasizes God’s help when he says v 5b the LORD is your shade at your right hand 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. In Israel’s climate, one needs shade to be safe from the sun’s burning heat; then one must have warm clothes or a blanket to be warm at night. God is a constant protector and comforter.
   Yes, when difficult things confront us we may not quickly or outwardly experience God’s protection and comfort. But we must understand that in every circumstance God is watching over us for his purpose. People who develop a deeper, consistent relationship with God do so because they believe God’s help is always with them. They understand God is sufficient to meet our every need. He delivers us from evil and leads us into his eternal kingdom.
   Yes, you can lift up your eyes to God’s heaven and earth. See his majesty and know v 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.
   How good is that?
 
One More Thing: You women have a wonderful association with God, the helper. When God created Eve he said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18) The common cultural response is to see this as the woman having a servant role to fulfill every need for the man. On the contrary, God has made the woman in his helper image. She is given the character to be a protector for her husband and family. She is to encourage and respect her husband to help him fulfill his role as the family’s leader. This is a great honor and responsibility fulfilled in God’s purpose.