This Sunday, June 7, we’re venturing into a new sermon series on the book of Psalms. To kick things off, here is a reflection on Psalm 121 from Melinda, a congregation member at Faith.
I lift my eyes to the hills.
As I look to the mountains, I wonder if the Lord will return today. People are hurting. Fear is in many people’s eyes. Our country is under siege. We are going through exceedingly difficult times.
During this pandemic, I screen 100+ employees before they sign in to work. This allows me an opportunity to engage with each person as they begin their workday.
The stories they tell are heartbreaking and add to ones in my own heart and perhaps yours. One teen shared he had been swimming for 15 years, and now in his senior year, the state swimming championship he had worked so hard for had been canceled, as was graduation. Another man cried as he told about having to miss his young nephew’s funeral since no more than ten people could attend. Others have shared about missing milestones with family members–births, birthdays, weddings, and deaths.
Others are facing financial loss or unemployment. There is general fear of the unknown, isolation, health issues related to COVID-19, churches unable to gather for worship, racial injustice. Our world needs help. We need hope. We need the Lord.
From where does my help come?
We are on a rocky and perilous journey perhaps not unlike that of the pilgrims going up to Jerusalem to worship. It was hazardous terrain they traveled – dry, rocky, steep in areas; robbers lurking, wanting to kill, steal, and destroy.
That journey must have been exhausting. We can feel like that, too, with life’s pressures. We may not be on a physical hike up a mountain, but the troubles we encounter make it seem as though we are trekking along toward something that mountainous. We plod on, as they did before us, knowing that God is there for us.
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
During these rocky and perilous times, we, like the psalmist, look beyond the majestic mountains to the One who made them. As magnificent as these mountains are, our God is far more awesome.
The LORD is your keeper.
The psalmist, probably King David, realizes his only hope is in the Lord. We see this hope in the word “keeper” that is expressed five times throughout this psalm. A keeper is one who manages something of value. You are valuable to God, and he keeps you! Even though our bodies may go through physical pain and death, God is the Keeper of our souls.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He is your shade.
God keeps our footing. We can rest knowing the One who is keeping and managing us does not sleep. He is always on guard. He is the shade on our right hand. For those of us in climates with dry, scorching sun, we know what a relief it is to find some shade! What a great picture of God as our “Shade Umbrella.”
Nothing happens in our life which God has not allowed. We may not understand it at the time, but his love for us as our Keeper is ever-present. He is protecting us in all areas, day and night, inside and outside, providing the shade and relief we need. He is the LORD, Yahweh, the self-existing One. He is the LORD Almighty, our Lord Sabaoth – the God of angel armies.
The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in.
We are living in a time of great uncertainty. Things are changing quickly. We do not know what the rest of this year will bring. All this “not knowing” can be incredibly stressful. But remember, God is faithful and unchanging. As our keeper, this is important – he is an unchanging God; he is always faithful with his unfailing love. He gives us care 24/7. He is our ever-present Protector and keeps us from evil, for all time and eternity! Consider the words in Martin Luther’s hymn: “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our Helper, He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.” God will protect his people day and night. He will protect their goings and their comings, today and forevermore!
Melinda moved to Colorado in 2016 with her husband Jeff and their three boys, Jeremy, Jason, and Jaxon. Minuet, their oldest child, lives in Maryland and is going to make Melinda and Jeff grandparents for the first time in October of this year!
Three years prior to moving to Colorado, the Van Horns lived in an RV and travelled around the country as Jeff’s employment required. Before that, Melinda lived in Florida for 40 years, and earlier in her life she lived in Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa.
During her time in Florida, the Lord called her to attend Moody Bible Institute and then Dallas Theological Seminary where she earned her B.S. and M.B.S. in Biblical Studies, respectively.
Melinda homeschools her three boys and works part time as an optician. Women’s ministry, writing, and teaching are ways Melinda feels called to serve the Lord. All these avenues are mission fields in which she hopes to spread God’s love to all with whom she comes into contact. She hopes to glorify the Lord in all she says and does.