THE MOUNTAIN MAKER
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, author and sustainer of everything seen and unseen, I am amazed that you are not only mindful of me, but you also care about me. Thank you for the grace and mercy you pour out each day, providing everything I need in my walk of faith.
Read PSALM 121
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord’ (Psalm 20:7).Picture the psalmist, climbing slowly up Temple Mount, on pilgrimage to God’s house. As he lifted his eyes to the distant mountains, did he fear the robbers’ haunts on the hillsides? Was he thinking of some secret refuge up in the mountains (see Psalm 11:1)? Or was he contemplating his destination—that magnificent temple? No matter what ‘the mountains’ represent, the psalmist’s central message is clear: a believer’s security does not lie in created things—like mountains—but in the mountain maker, ‘the Maker of heaven and earth’ (vv. 1, 2).
The repeated phrase ‘watch(es) over’ (vv. 3–5, 7, 8) is a guarantee of comprehensive coverage. The pilgrim is promised protection against all kinds of threats—accidents (v. 3a), the elements (vv. 5, 6) and other perils (v. 7); he is assured of protection at all times—for God is never off duty (vv. 3, 4)—and for all times (‘now and for evermore’, v. 8b); and this protection covers all situations (‘your coming and going’, v. 8a). God’s CCTV cameras scan in all directions and he monitors them 24/7! But the protection gets even more personal: ‘The Lord watches over you’ (v. 5). Throughout our faith journey, the mountain maker himself is our bodyguard and soul guard, sticking close,
guarding and guiding us safely to our destination—himself.
Apply
What things have you not altogether trusted God to watch over, to protect, to provide for?
Closing prayer
‘God of peace, walk through this week with me. Like a sentinel, let your peace stand guard over my heart and mind, shielding me from faithless fears and fruitless worries.’*
*Based on Philippians 4:7, 9
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