Where does my help come from (Psalm 121:1)?

Answer

The Bible is filled with heartfelt pleas for assistance from people in need. While journeying uphill to Jerusalem, the psalmist asked, “Where does my help come from?” «I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help. », (Psalm 121:1). Amidst suffering and despair, Job pondered, “Does not one in a heap of ruins stretch out his hand, and in his disaster cry for help?” «Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, Though they cry in his destruction. », (Job 30:24, ESV). Job later admitted, “I stand up in the assembly and cry for help” «I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation. », (Job 30:28).

“From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,” prayed Jonah from his underwater prison cell inside the belly of a great fish «and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, And he heard me; Out of the belly of hell cried I, And thou heardest my voice. », (Jonah 2:2). “Where can I go for help?” and “Where does my help come from?” These are universal appeals for help from within the heart of humanity.

The resounding answer to this widespread plea is, “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” «My help cometh from the LORD, Which made heaven and earth. », (Psalm 121:2). Perhaps better than any other passage in the Bible, Psalm 121 illuminates how God, the all-powerful Creator and ever-present Protector, is the only real and trustworthy source of help.

Help for humankind.

This collective human plea for assistance is evidence that people require a Savior «for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; », (Romans 3:23). We are born lost in our sin «but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, that he will not hear. », (Isaiah 59:2). Yet, within the soul of every person, God has instilled an awareness of deficiency, of needing something more—an internal, eternal longing «He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. », (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Deep inside, we acknowledge we cannot save ourselves (Romans 3:10-20;4:1-12). Our hearts cry out to God, “Rise up; come to our aid! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!” «Arise for our help, And redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.», (Psalm 44:26, ESV).

When the psalmist posed the question, “Where does my help come from?” he was not inquiring from a place of confusion or uncertainty. No, he spoke in prayerful anticipation. He believed that God the Creator was vigilantly watching over him, tirelessly protecting him. He knew the assistance he yearned for would come from the Lord: “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3-4).

Regrettably, the human inclination is to seek help in all the incorrect places. We attempt to solWe face our problems in our strength or according to the wisdom of the world. We call our parents when we need someone to bail us out. We seek companionship from friends or a spouse to satisfy the longing in our souls. We pursue success and self-esteem through our careers. We resort to drugs and alcohol to fill the emptiness inside. We try to find happiness or ways to cope by exploring everything this world offers. However, all these solutions fall short. What we need most is to cry out, “Help me, LORD my God; save me according to your unfailing love” «Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy: », (Psalm 109:26).

Like the prophet Isaiah, we can stand firm knowing where our help comes from, or better Whom it comes from: “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame” «For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. », (Isaiah 50:7, NLT).

The psalmist affirmed, “The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night” (Psalm 121:5-6). No matter what we face, day or night, the Lord stands over us as a protective shield. Through every trial and storm, God is our constant shelter and refuge (Psalm 46:1;Psalm 91:1;Proverbs 18:10). Our good and loving Lord will protect us from every evil «The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. », (Psalm 121:7).

(Psalm 121:7).

If a believer were to ask you, “Where does my help come from?” You can provide them with this remarkable assurance: At all times, regardless of your location, and throughout your life, the Bible proclaims, “Your help comes from the Lord!” «The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.», (Psalm 121:8).