Daily Reading: 25 February
(from www.christianaid.org.uk)
Lift up your eyes.
Something to read
I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
- Psalm 121.
Something to think about
As I sat with this Psalm, preparing this reflection, my friend’s six-year-old son sat beside me and asked what I was doing. As I explained to him, he asked if he could help. “Of course!” I said. He sat with me for an hour quietly contemplating the psalm verse by verse, slowly picking it apart, considering what it was saying and what stood out to him most. What a pure joy. At the end, he decided to write down his own reflections on the psalm on a piece of paper before bedtime. Some of his words:
'He will never give up.
He will never sleep on the job.
He will watch over you every second.
He will lead you on the right path, never the wrong way.
My God is bigger than any other god!'
I love this Psalm. It helps me lift my eyes to Jesus as I walk through the mountains and connect with God in nature and solitude on my days off. It reminds me, as I look not only at the physical mountains but come face to face with the metaphorical mountains in life, to look a little higher and remember where my help comes from. It checks my heart and redirects my attention once again to my Helper, Redeemer, Friend and Saviour. It speaks confidence and courage to my soul as I ponder the times we live in, the challenges we face, and the circumstances of life.
How good it is to remember and to know that nothing is too big for our God. No challenge too great, problem too complex, circumstance too alarming, disaster too messy, concern too trivial. We look to the God who moves mountains. And we lean into the God who is present with us in the process. This psalm, and my six-year-old friend, remind us of some basic and profound truth. As we survey where we stand and what lies before us, we get to do so with a sure hope and true confidence. Our God is faithful.
Something to do
Write down your own reflections on Psalm 121 on a piece of paper before bedtime.
Something to pray
God, we thank you for your faithfulness to your promises. Thank you that you’re above all things, and yet with us in all things. Thank you that we can look to you for everything we need.
Lord, we pray for the situations we face personally and globally that are overwhelming. Oh Lord how we need you. Thank you that nothing is too big for you. Give us strength to stand, courage to hope, boldness to act, passion to pray, faith to trust in you. Lord, give us your wisdom to lead through all that we face in these days. That by your Spirit, you would give us creativity and imagination as we live our lives for you and seek to steward all that you’ve given us, including this earth. Climate change and Coronavirus aren’t too big for you! And we pray that we would play our part in your redemption story of this earth. God we look to you. Come have your way.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today's contribution is adapted from an original contribution by Beth Tays. Beth lives in Belfast and she serves on the leadership team of 24/7 Prayer Ireland as the National Director of Prayer, at time of writing.