Notes on Hope Devotional — Grateful, yet Grieving

Our Personal Pilgrimage

Psalm 121:1
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.

Psalms have been called God’s Prayer Book, David’s Journal, and the Bible’s Book of Poetry. Over the past eight years, I’ve parked myself in the Psalms after my husband suddenly died. From that place, I’ve called the Psalms a first aid kit for my soul.

I learned the practice of lament; pouring out my heart to God through words and tears, asking God, “Why?” and “How long, O Lord?” From the first chapter in the Psalms, there is imagery of trees, mountains, water, and beauty to create a visual to go with the words. The hope and comfort from the Psalms have been tangible.

This verse in Psalm 121 invites us to “lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from?”

Psalm 121 is included in the Psalms of the Ascents. The context is during a pilgrimage where the people are physically walking to Jerusalem. They are on the move, with unknowns ahead and distractions along the way. The verse comes from the midst of where they are, filled with questions, uncertainty, and an unfamiliar landscape. But there is one thing that stands out in the middle of that journey: a recognition of the power of God, who is their strength and help. The words declare, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

There in their wandering comes the wonder and awe of God, who is their help.

We are all on our own pilgrimage, in the middle of where we don’t want to be, going through something that creates doubt and fear, distracted by the noise and chaos. As the psalmist says, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains” and declare “My help comes from the Lord.” We can do the same, as we trust, depend, and consider God as our source of help.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for being our Help, Deliverer, Refuge, Source, and Strength. Deepen our desire to run to You quickly, knowing You see, hear, and will supply what we need. Thank You.
In Jesus Name, Amen.