Verse:
Psalm 121 says “I look to the mountains-does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you stumble, the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you. The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”
Devo:
Today I woke up feeling anxious. Yes, it’s Monday, but I don’t have a particular stressful week ahead of me. My officer and I both went to bed early last night, and still I woke up seemingly every hour, just to check the time and see if I needed to get up yet. When I finally got out of bed and sat down with my coffee for my regular morning quiet time I still couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to hurry. To get something done. That feeling that I was just missing something.
I continued to get ready for the day, and still the feeling followed me. I got to work early. I prepped for my sessions. I got ahead on paperwork. And still my heart felt anxious.
And I began reading through Psalm 121, over and over, letting the words sink in. How often do we look to other things or other people for help? To coffee (guilty!), to a detailed schedule (always), or even to vices or worldly people who might not have our best interests in mind? So often we search and search for solutions when all God wants us to do is look up.
Does this mean we shouldn’t work hard? That we shouldn’t prepare and hustle and pour our heart into things? No, of course not. But I think we need to be careful that in our pursuits of goals and work and life we don’t forget the power our God has. It’s easy to exhaust ourselves searching for answers when He who holds all of the answers is right in front of us.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for always being here. You are my watcher, my protector, my helper-now and forever. Even when I am feeling overwhelmed, You are here. Even when I feel like I am falling short, You are calling me whole. Even when I feel lost, You are reminding me of Your plan. Thank you, God, for your constant love and guidance. Remind me of Your infinity when I am straying. Remind me to breathe when I am feeling breathless. Remind me of Your love when I am feeling unlovable.
