Trust

by Andy Frost

Read

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (vs1-2).

Reflect

Having children has definitely marked a new season of life and as I begin to look back on my life so far, I can see the many twists and turns it has taken. Many people use the analogy of life as a journey and I can begin to see why that analogy is helpful.

Commentators believe that Psalm 121 pictures a journey, the pilgrimage journey to Jerusalem. The journey is hard and dangerous with various perils lying ahead and the opening line is an acknowledgement of the need for help. The psalmist looks up to the mountains, which were the place where all kinds of idolatry took place, and there is a sense of wondering and searching. “Where does my help come from?”

Not where but who

The psalmist continues to tell us that help comes from God and the following verses unpack what that help looks like. He stops our feet from slipping. He helps us against the elements, the searing sun in the day and the bitter coldness of night. He protects us from harm.

Sometimes we can take this psalm too literally, and believe that following God means there will be no trouble in the journey of life. We could almost think that if God is our shade, there is no need to wear sun cream. The truth is, there will be hardships, but despite those difficulties there are echoes of Romans 8:38, that nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Responsibility

No matter how easy or how tough the journey of life is, the psalmist declares that God will watch over us. Although we get tired at times, God does not stop watching over us because he doesn’t need to sleep. That’s a powerful image!

In those early days and weeks of childhood, we watch over our children intently. Having watched over our children since birth, one of the hardest things about seeing them grow up is having to begin to let go and allow them to do things by themselves. There is the first play date, the first day at school and the first overnight away from home.

Ultimately we can’t watch our children all the time, but this psalm reminds us that God will be their help and will never leave them. In the journey of life, they will face tough times but God is watching over them.

Respond

How does knowing that God is watching over our children impact the way we parent? How might it affect how we pray for them?

Catch up on the rest of Be Refreshed on the blog.