Read: Psalm 121
My help comes from the LORD. (v. 2)
When my son was eight weeks old, he stopped breathing. After dozens of hospitalizations and through the passing years, I still find myself afraid for him. I still find myself putting my hand on his back to check his breathing. The thing is, full control will always be out of my reach. Where do I find certainty in my uncertainties? I lift my eyes up to the hills knowing my help comes from God (vv. 1-2).
As we journey through life, though it may be difficult and dangerous at times, God is with us. In verses 3-8, the word keep (and its variations) is used six times. Here we find that when God keeps us, he protects us, preserves our lives, and watches over us in many ways. This protective activity aids our faith and reminds us of what God has done for us and how we should live considering what he has done. Because we are prone to forget the most basic things during hard times, a psalm like this reminds us again and again to focus on God.
Celebrate God’s providential care. He keeps us and holds us fast, and we can move forward in confidence that we will never be separated from him both now and forever (Rom. 8:38-39). So, take solace in this. Learn to trust God above all else and look for the good everywhere. God cares for us. He provides for us. He is there to help us.
As you pray, ask God to give you rest during unrestful times.
About the Author
Ariana D. Den Bleyker is a Pittsburgh native currently residing in New York’s Hudson Valley. She is the author of two devotional poetry collections,To Be Held by the LightandWaking in the Light. She is an ordained deacon in the Reformed Church of America.
