PSALMS OF ASCENT!

PSALM 121:2

The Maker
MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD, THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. (PSALMS 121:2 NIV)
THE SOURCE
The Psalmist follows on from his question of verse one regarding the source of the help he needs by recognising that he does not have the necessary help within himself, and the false Gods located in the hills are not adequate to meet his need. Rather than despair he turns to the one who can help. He sees the hills but is not trapped by their imposing size. The fear induced by the potential presence of evil does not paralyze him - instead it propels him to look beyond. we are about to be overwhelmed (see also the timing of His help for the Israelites at the borders of the Red Sea in Exodus chapters 14 & 15). Why is this relief not always our experience?

ATTITUDE
How do we get our thinking right? What should our attitude be? The passage below is one of my favourites for praying through of a morning when I sense the need to help my mind and heart to be in the right place, Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:12 NIV) The setting of our mind is so important to our spiritual well-being. The Psalmists thinking quickly jumps from the hills to what lies beyond them - the Maker of the universe. Our thinking can jump to the right place no matter what our circumstances when we train ourselves with the help of scripture to look to our Maker instead of our mountains. See also 2 Cor 4:18, Heb 3:1, & Heb 12:2.

ASK
As well as God being available to help, we have a part to play in asking for that help, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13 NIV) Our deliverer is near enough to provide help (Psalm 145:18, Philippians 4:5), but we must be wanting Him to be near if we are to experience His comfort. We can forget that God is personal in His interactions with us. He is our helper or guardian, the one who guards eight times in this short Psalm. Perhaps the Psalmist (and God Himself) is trying to get our attention in this matter.

AVAILABLE
We are at peace when we realise, like this pilgrim, that every journey is made on an earth where God is supreme. He is available to help, when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) It is God who provides a way out for us when we sense

Malcolm Cox, email: malcolm.cox@iccmissions.org | ICC Missions on facebook | www.nwlcc.org