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Tuesday, January 3, 2017

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"Fisher Towers and the Frozen Colorado"
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Photo by our friend Howard Blichfeldt

"I Lift My Eyes"

Message summary: Today's message we consider the blessing of trust.

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"I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1,2).

Today's message is in part prompted by a song by Laura Story titled, "I Lift My Eyes". We'll post a link below. It expresses a great truth to consider as we begin our new year.

I lift my eyes to the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord my God
My maker, creator, my sustainer, protector
My defender, my Saviour forever

We both really like mountains. We were raised in the Midwest and didn't normally see mountains growing up. Brooksyne is from relatively flat Tulsa Oklahoma but enjoyed childhood trips to the Ozark Mountains to see her grandparents. I grew up in the Kansas City area which is also pretty flat. Apart from trips to southern Missouri and the Ozark Mountains my first exposure to mountains was the Great Smokies when I was about 11.

We see a small mountain ridge across the Susquehanna River from our front lawn. But as we move farther west or north we hit the mountains in the Appalachian ridge. We've travelled to the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, the Rockies in Colorado, Mount Rainier in Washington and the Andes in both Central and South America. 

But the most astounding mountain we have ever visited is Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Although it is not nearly as high in elevation as many other mountains, it is very prominent since the difference in elevation at its base and peak is well over a mile. Anyone who has ever driven the auto road to the top is likely to remember it!  And for those who've climbed it, I would take my hat off to you if I was wearing one.

Any given day as we prepare these messages there are issues that concern or distress us. Some are at the personal level,others may effect those close to us, while others are international and affect all of us. Generally in our decision as to what to share in this encouragement series we do not let these issues guide us since essentially every day there is some current tragedy or crisis headlining the news.

The power of Scripture is that the message contained therein is of timeless value. Today's text is an example. The human author of Psalm 121 is not identified, although it is often assumed that most of the Psalms were written by David. Some versions include this interesting designation in the heading of Psalm 121, "A Song of Ascents" or "Pilgrim Psalms" as do all the Psalms from 120-134.  Most believe that these Psalms were sung by those who journeyed to the temple in Jerusalem for the annual feasts. 

The Psalmist begins by giving us a word picture in verse one, "I lift up my eyes to the hills." That's something I hope we all can do spiritually regardless of where we live or where our travels take us.

The Psalmist then asks a question that I believe he is prepared to immediately answer. "Where does my help come from?"  This is one of life's most important questions.

As the Psalmist lifted his eyes to the hills he may have been thinking about enemy invaders or those who were bringing slander against him (Psalm 120).  Allegorically speaking, we might also consider the steep hills we face and see the many potential and real forms of invasion. We might also cry out: "Where does my help come from?" The answers vary greatly. For some it's the bottle, for others it's a pill.  Some believe it'll be that big hit at the casino, still for others it's the miracle diet.  And the list goes on and on.

The only right answer has not changed.  Dear believer, whatever burden you face, whateve your trying circumstance, join with the Psalmist who is inspired by the majesty and splendor of God's creation. He looks beyond the visible creation to the invisible Creator who gives the needed help when facing distressing times. Let us declare together, "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth!"

My help comes from
The One who formed my heart
The One whose promise is forever, forever
For all my days I long to walk with You
Until this life is through, I’ll follow


Be encouraged today,


Stephen and Brooksyne Weber


Praying manDaily prayer: Father, our assurance and hope is in Your protection day and night. You made the mountains and the hills, the valleys and the streams. You do not leave us to fend for ourselves, but Your help is constant and ever-sufficient for all our needs. Our help comes from You, the Maker of heaven and earth, who watches us both now and forevermore. Amen.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"I Lift My Eyes"  Video  Laura Story

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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