I Lift Up My Eyes...

Psalm 121 (New International Version, ©2011)

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.


3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.


5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.


7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

The commute with my new position is quite substantial now. Sometimes there is a group of us who carpool together and then there are other times when I make the trek alone. It is a beautiful drive into the mountains and when I am alone the first two verses of Psalm 121 are what come to mind.

Living in the valley as we do, we are surrounded by mountains. If I’ve been away for awhile, I always feel comforted when I return and see the mountains; it is as if God is surrounding me with His love and protection.

There have been times when I’ve been at the community medical center for some rather unpleasant medical tests. During those times I look out the window and focus on the mountain and those verses that have given me so much comfort. Some of those tests have been a spinal tap and the most recent a physical cardio stress test. Not fun, but necessary at the time. Even now when I think I am facing something unbearable, I recall the spinal tap and remind myself – if I got through that, I can get through anything with God’s help!

When I am depressed and cannot pray I sometimes read the Psalms as prayers. Other times I write them out in my journal in my own words and offer them to the Lord as a sacrifice of praise.

What is it you find yourself doing when the times get rough?  Do you have a favorite scripture you cling to?  A special prayer you resort to or perhaps a devotional or meditation?

My Prayer:

Abba, Father, hear my prayer this day. Thank you for the beauty of the mountains and the comfort I feel in them. Thank you for the opportunity in this new position and for the chance to ‘stretch and grow’. Guide and direct my steps this day and may I be a blessing to those around me. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we're His,