JUNE 19
Psalm 117:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
As with the previous psalm, this is one of the fifteen known as the “Songs of Ascents,” sung by worshipers traveling to Jerusalem for the three annual festivals. Whether by organized procession or personal pilgrimage, these journeys were long, often difficult, and filled with risk.
Unlike modern travel, these pilgrims went by foot, facing challenges such as finding food, water, and shelter—no fast food or rest stops along the way. Robbers were a constant threat, and there was no way to call for help in case of illness or injury.
So, when the Psalmist writes, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,” he may have been looking at those hills with a mix of concern and hope. The hills could hide danger. Some hills were even sites of pagan worship, but the Psalmist makes it clear: “I see the hills—they might be filled with threats or false hopes. But my help doesn’t come from there. My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
And we all need help. Life brings physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Some are minor; others are deep, hidden from others, but seen by God alone. Needs arise from trials, from life’s unpredictability, or from our own poor choices.
The Psalmist knew where to turn: to the Creator, powerful enough to make the universe and personal enough to care for every detail of our lives. The same God who feeds the birds and clothes the lilies of the field sees you and cares for you.
When trouble comes, where do you look? It’s easy to fixate on the problem or lean too heavily on people. Counsel and help from others can be good, but they should never replace our trust in God. He alone is our ultimate source of help and hope.
“My help comes not from the hills but from the One who made them!”
Application Questions: When faced with trouble or uncertainty, where do you instinctively turn first—and what would it look like to turn to God instead? How does remembering that God is the Creator of heaven and earth strengthen your confidence in His ability to help you with your current needs?
LookingtoJesus 