These thoughts are being put together somewhat hurriedly, following our arrival back from a very lovely holiday in the very north of Scotland.
One of the amazing sights for me was the amount of gorse growing and flowering on the hillsides. Obviously there are lots more fascinating and beautiful things to see in that wild scenery, but I have never seen so much of those striking, yellow bushes in all my life. The hills might be alive with the sound of music for some, but as we looked up at the mountains, they seemed to be so alive with their vibrant golden colours.
As I gazed, I couldn’t help but be reminded of those opening lines of Psalm 121: I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
For the writer of the psalm, as he starts, he may have been thinking of those who would look to the hill top shrines of other gods for help, or put their trust in created things only. But for him, in answering the question he raises, he could say with confidence: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth – the One who made all the hills and mountains—and even the vegetation upon them. So confident was he, that he could take the rest of the psalm to commend his Lord to all who would read and sing this psalm, assuring them that the Maker of the earth would always be watching over their every step, and never taking time off to have a snooze! And the effect would be a sense of true safety, in every situation.
So, our help throughout life, and in every particular need, can only come with unchanging certainty, from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
For me, as I gazed beyond the dazzling colour of the gorse to the top of the mountains, yes, it was a stirring sight, but I gave thanks to the Lord, the Creator -‘my Lord and my God’, to quote Thomas again, for all that He is, and for all that He is able to be for me, for us.
Some have read verse 1 as ‘I lift up my eyes above the hills’. Yes, perhaps that is in effect what we do – to see our God in all His mighty power
creating and caring for heaven and earth – which includes me and you.
Steve
Elder
June 2022
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