Heart Songs: Week 5 | Twenty-Four Seven (Psalm 121)Sample

Safely Surrounded

In New Mexico, fall is a season when everyone looks to the hills. The golden aspens call for attention among deep green pines while glorious sunrises and sunsets splash the skies with vibrant colors. In Psalm 121, the psalmist lifted his eyes to the hills. Life had taken him into a deep valley—a time when he needed assistance. He asked, "Where does my help come from" (v. 1, NIV)? With wisdom, the psalmist recognized that his relief would come from the Lord. When you understand the Lord is the one true source of help, it becomes necessary to seek Him. His presence is right before our eyes, in His creation. 

Nature's majesty clearly proclaims God's power and omnipresence. Acts 17:24 tells us, "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." Our heavenly Father dwells all around us. God Himself said, "I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things" (Isaiah 45:7). Like the psalmist, we sometimes enter valleys. Where do you turn to be lifted up and out? When troubles come your way, do you look to the hills for help, or do you try to climb out of the valley with your own strength? Today in Psalm 121, we discover the One in whom the psalmist confidently placed his trust. 

Self-reliance is a prevalent theme in contemporary life. We are encouraged to find out who we are, to be all that we can be, and to put ourselves and our needs first. Bookstores are filled with books promoting various methods of self-help, from how to overcome addictions to food, alcohol, and drugs to finding inner peace, healthier bodies, functional relationships, and success in the workplace. But as Christians, we are not dependent on ourselves for help. We are expected to turn to the Lord for assistance twenty-four seven. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1) The Bible is the only self-help book we need.

Read the verses below and answer the following questions:

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2).

Practical Observation

1. What did the psalmist do physically, and why is that important?

2. In your own words, what question did he ask himself and how did he answer it? Why did he ask a question to which he already knew the answer?

God's Citadel: The word help means "to surround, protect, or aid" (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary [Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010], PC Study Bible). The psalmist looked up and affirmed to himself that only God could protect him from warring neighbors. In times of trouble, we, too, can lift our eyes up and affirm that "God is in [our] citadels; he has shown himself to be [our] fortress" (Psalm 48:3, NIV).

3. According to Psalm 121:2, how did the psalmist describe his Helper? 

God's Order: God existed before creation and called the physical world into existence. "The earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters" (Genesis 1:2, NIV). He brought order to chaos. 

Personal Application

a. In which of the following valleys are you currently standing or tempted to stand: fear, loneliness, sadness, confusion, anger, resentment, jealousy, or something else? How can you look to God for help in the valley? What Scripture can you recite to help you stand strong in your current valley?

b. Satan strives to keep our eyes focused on our problems. But Scripture tells us, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about" (Philippians 4:8, TLB). List some things you can praise God for and be glad about.