Psalm 121:1-2
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.
Recently, a running friend posted a good question on Facebook. He cited that old quote what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and asked when he should expect the “getting stronger” part to kick in. I had to laugh because I understood how he felt. Sometimes the best workouts are the most torturous – they feel like a near death experience!
My friend’s post made me think about training and strength, and how the two are connected. More importantly, though, I began thinking about how God is connected – not just in attaining strength for running but in finding strength for everything in life. Worldly wisdom tells us to look inside ourselves for strength. But is this where God tells us to look for help and strength? Does He throw us into a traumatic situation and say, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?”
In Psalm 121, the psalmist looks to the hills – the giant obstacles in his path – and asks where he will find help. Immediately, he answers his question: God. He remembers that God is the one who was so mysteriously powerful in the first place that He made heaven and earth. Why would we trust anything or anyone else?
The psalm goes on to describe the completeness of God’s care. He says that God will never grow tired, inattentive, or busy with other tasks. He will not get distracted. He watches us when we go out and when we come back. He watches us now and forevermore. He is with us, helping us, through all time and distance.
We can take these words not only as a promise but as a warning. Help comes from the Lord alone – do not look for it in other places. Do not think that you are strong apart from God or that you are strong from having been through trying times. Know instead that it was God that got you through those trying times, and He will continue to bear you up now. God helps you not because you have done anything to earn or deserve it, but rather because He loves you perfectly and unfailingly. He is committed to be with you forever because of His grace.
God doesn’t watch from a distance as the devil pursues you. He does not watch the devil attack and think to Himself that if you are lucky enough to avoid destruction, you will be stronger. No, He is with you. And through the Holy Spirit, He is IN you, guarding you, keeping you, helping you, fighting for you. What a great promise! Let’s thank Him for that.
