"I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121: 1-2)
My Beloved Greenwood,
As we come together today, we carry with us many emotions. The results of the recent presidential election may have left some of us feeling discouraged, frustrated, or even uncertain about the future. Our hopes and expectations may not have been realized in the way we hoped, and the road ahead may feel unclear. But I come to remind you of this: God is still in control. The psalmist David, in the midst of his own trials and challenges, reminds us of where our true help comes from.
In Psalm 121, we find a song of assurance—a declaration that our strength is not found in political power, human wisdom, or our own abilities, but in the Lord who made heaven and earth.
1. Our Help Comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:1-2) The psalmist begins by lifting his eyes to the hills. These hills were likely a reference to the high places where idols were worshipped, or perhaps even to the difficult journeys that lay ahead. But he quickly answers his own question: “My help comes from the Lord.” Brothers and sisters, regardless of the election outcome, we can take comfort in knowing that our help is not in a person or a political party, but in the Lord, who never fails. God has a way of bringing peace when we feel troubled, strength when we are weak, and hope when it feels like hope is hard to come by. In every season, God remains faithful. He has been with us before, and He will continue to be with us.
2. The Lord Watches Over You (Psalm 121:3-6) The psalmist goes on to say that God will not allow our feet to slip, and He who watches over us will neither slumber nor sleep. In a world where things can change so quickly and unpredictably, this is good news. Our God is always awake, always aware, and always present. Even in this moment, when things may seem uncertain, we are never alone. God is watching over you and your family. He is watching over our communities and our nation. The Lord who kept us through the struggles of the past is the same Lord who will sustain us today and guide us into tomorrow.
3. The Lord is Our Protector (Psalm 121:7-8) In verses 7 and 8, the psalmist declares, “The Lord will preserve you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The Lord will preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” There is a promise of divine protection here—protection not just from physical harm but from the things that threaten our spirit and peace of mind. In a time when fear and worry can easily take hold of us, we are reminded that God is our shield. He will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, even when the future feels uncertain. He is our peace, and in Him, we find rest.
4. Trust in God’s Sovereignty (Psalm 121:1-2) Finally, we are called to remember the sovereignty of God. It’s easy to forget in the heat of political struggles that God’s will is greater than any election outcome. We can trust that He works all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). While we may not understand the how or the why, we can trust in His timing and His plans. The same God who brought the Israelites out of Egypt, who parted the Red Sea, and who brought victory over impossible odds—He is the same God we serve today. He knows the way forward even when we can’t see it. We may not always have the answers, but we can always have peace in knowing that our God is in control.
Conclusion: As we leave this place today, I encourage you to lift your eyes, just as the psalmist did. Lift your eyes to the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He is our help. He is our peace. He is our protector. He is our refuge and strength. Though the world around us may shift and change, we stand firm in the unshakable hope that comes from knowing Christ. Let us rest in the assurance that He is always with us, and that His plans for us are filled with hope and a future. So, my brothers and sisters, though the journey may be difficult, we know that our help comes from the Lord, and He is with us every step of the way.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of both concern and hope. We acknowledge that the outcome of this election has left some of us uncertain and weary, but we trust in Your sovereignty and Your goodness. We lift our eyes to You, our help and our refuge. We ask that You would fill us with peace that surpasses understanding and grant us the strength to move forward in faith. Protect our hearts, our families, and our communities. May Your presence surround us, and may we always trust in Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Pemberton
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