Psalm 121

Read Psalm 121.

Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Let us remind ourselves of this truth every day and give him praise for his many blessings. He helps us and keeps in so many ways. The Lord guides us when we don’t know the way. He finds us when we are lost. He comforts us and protects us when we are low or even scared. The Lord renews our strength when we are tired and weary. Lord, you are a firm foundation. Thank you for your goodness and your grace.

Short yet so sweet, Psalm 121 provides a concise reminder packed with revitalizing truth from the Lord. A Song of Ascents, I can almost hear a melody ring in my mind as I meditate on the words in this Psalm. The Lord knows how often songs get stuck in my head. He also knows that I instead need these words to be the ones playing on repeat, rooting me deeper in his solid ground.

Lately, I’ve been taking his help and love for granted. I’ve been consumed with what feels like too much work but then end up draining myself even more with too much play to supposedly make up for the challenging toils of work. The tough reality is that far too often I’m making everything harder on myself by thinking I can burn the candle at both ends. The Lord knows that I have not been allowing myself to experience enough of the real deep rest that only comes from him.

Heavenly Father, you know I’ve been distracted from you, your guidance, and your voice lately. I’ve been unwinding and escaping with seemingly limitless entertainment, but this doesn’t fulfill and restore me, and it doesn’t help me grow very well. I often end up more tired and unsettled than before. Thank you for the restorative words of this Psalm that I can sing again and again, reminding me that you are with me, no matter the challenges I face, and that walking in your ways will truly restore and keep me. Let us always remember your words and remind one another of them. Amen.

 - Andrew H.