This time of the year can be very stressful. Children go back to school, college students return for a new semester, fiscal deadlines loom at work, and the holiday season begins with all its demands . . . not to mention the undertone of pressure that the calendar year will soon be over and much of what we hoped to accomplish in 2018 is winding down to the final hours of opportunity. Where do we turn in the midst of all of it? How do we put our lives back in perspective?
David said in Psalms 121 that I should look up! My help does not come from below, or from what surrounds me. But my help is above me! My help is not earthly, but its Heavenly. My help comes from the Lord!
So instead of fretting, I pray! I meditate! I worship! I employ all manner of supplication unto my Help!
Next he acknowledges that God created everything! So, everything is under His control. He's everybody's boss!
Next, he instructs us to declare that God will not allow the trouble to derail me! He's working 24/7, day and night, to ensure my victory.
Finally, Psalms 121 ends with observations on preservation. When we preserve something, we ensure that it is kept from elements that will ruin it. I think in terms of salt on meat, or sugar on fruit. When meat is packed in salt, or fruits are packed in sugar, we call them preserves! All the flavor is locked in for safe keeping for future use because its surrounded by these preserving agents. But these earthly agents of salt and sugar only preserve for a time. But the solace from Psalms 23 says that the preserving agents of goodness and mercy shall be with us all the days of our lives, to ensure our preservation in the House of the Lord forever!
Let these words and other Psalms bring solace and encouragement today as you face this next season of life!