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| August 20 |
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My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. |
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Psalm 121:2 |
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Jerusalem was located in the hills on a rocky plateau twenty-five hundred feet above sea level. Thus, what the psalmist and the pilgrims were saying was, “We’re lifting our eyes as we head to Jerusalem because our help is found in coming to the Temple, into the presence of God. Our help is found in meeting with the Lord, in pouring out our hearts before Him.”
Before Jesus fed a hungry multitude with a little boy’s lunch, Matthew says He lifted His eyes toward Heaven and gave thanks (14:19). The night before He was crucified John tells us that Jesus lifted His eyes to the Father and prayed (17:1). Jesus looked up to His Father and received the very help He needed.
Sometimes my problems seem really big. But that’s because my perspective is all wrong. I’m so close to the problem that it blocks my perspective - just as I can block out the sun with my thumb. Remembering that the God to whom I pray is the One who made Heaven and earth makes my problems shrink to a workable size in light of His power.
How great is God’s power? Look at the heavens. The most powerful telescopes we have are said to spot sextillion stars. How big is sextillion? It is a one with twenty-one zeros after it. That’s a lot of stars, gang. And yet Psalm 147:4 tells us that not only did the Lord put each of those stars in place but that He calls each of them by name. Einstein’s theory of an expanding universe has recently been verified by experiments conducted in outer space. This means that our understanding of God’s power increases as well.
How great is God’s power? Look at the earth, specifically at the bumblebee. Scientists tell us that it is theoretically impossible for a bumblebee to fly because his wings are too short and his body is too heavy. How he flies is a mystery to scientists, yet Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us the secret things belong to the Lord. To create and keep in operation the intricacies of our own planet speaks of a power of ingenuity and creativity beyond anything we can even begin to fathom.
Few of us doubt the ability of God to solve our problems. But many of us struggle with His willingness to do so. But listen to what He says: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness” (see Isaiah 41:10). That’s a promise not for those who are good enough, but for all of us. |
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