Help for the Weary Traveler
I lift up my eyes to the hills — from where will my help come?
Psalm 121:1
Where does our help come from? It is a legitimate question. It is a question that we ask from time to time. It is also the central question that is raised in Psalm 121, “from where will my help come?” It is a question of practical importance, especially as we wrestle with anxiety.
We all have things that feed our anxiety. For some of us, it might be entering a new stage of life such as children leaving home or retiring from work. For others, it might be a chronic health issue. For parents, there is an endless list of things to worry about regarding one's children. The question is not how to wrestle with what causes anxiety, but rather, where do we turn during anxious moments? Where can we seek help?
Psalm 121 offers some good advice:
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:2-8)
There is great comfort in these words. Whatever challenge, worry or doubt confronts us today, let us not forget that God is there for us. He is there to help, watch over, protect and keep us safe.
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent, “The Book of Common Prayer,” p.218)
