My Help Comes from the Lord
Take a hike
===
I look up toward the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121: 1-2 (NET)
===
This is one of those “coffee cup” verses.
You know, the ones they print out on mugs or t-shirts or little posters to decorate your home with.
That’s not a bad thing, but it can often turn lovely verses into “been there, seen that” verses.
Sometimes we need to step back and remember why these verses are so beloved.
In this case, it’s an encouragement for us when we’re walking on a difficult journey.
The psalmist here was probably walking up the hills toward Jerusalem. A song of ascents. If you’ve ever done a long hike up a hill, it can be a bit gruesome. Taxing your energy with seeming no end in sight.
A good metaphor for the struggles in life.
When we’re weary of walking and every step is a struggle, where do we find our help?
They give us the answer: from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.
The description is significant too.
We need that reminder of God’s power when we’re struggling. Can God really take care of me? Is He even able to get me out of this troubling situation?
We all probably know in our minds that obviously God can do this.
But the real battle is in our hearts.
How do I push aside my feelings of distrust, perhaps even faithless doubting, and lead myself to trust God?
Answer: I continually fill my mind with the truth of Scripture.
That should trickle down to my heart and lead my feet forward on the path of faith.
One step at a time.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
