Look to the Hills #238

Psalms 121: 1-8                                                                                              1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?

2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
 Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
 The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
 Nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

When you need help where do you look for help? Do you look to friends, family, your bank account, your status, your influence, or your own inner strength? David, the Psalmist looked to the hills. The hills symbolized the ascent up to Jerusalem. It was there David could see the Mt. of Olives, Mt Zion, and Mt. Moriah. Jerusalem, the Holy City, represented to David the very presence of God.

His help came from God. “My help comes from the Lord.” It was not just any god. It was the God who made the heaven and the earth. The creator knows all. He is capable of being the help David needs. He desires as well to meet your needs.

Matthew 6:8 "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

He is a God who does not sleep. David knows God is ever aware of what needs are in his life. God knows your needs and is not only aware of them, but is eager to come to your aid. He will not allow you to stumble or fall. He is speaking of your spiritual life. It is God who keeps you. He is your defense against attacks from the evil one. He is the shade to protect you at all times. The Book of Romans in chapter 8:31 says: “If God is for you, who can be against you.” You are protected.

You are kept in the hand of God. He preserves you from evil. He preserves your soul from destruction and danger.

God knows where you are, where you have been, and where you are going, and He is always with you. As a believer in Jesus Christ; He is also in you. It is Christ in you that is the hope of Glory. Look to the hills. God is your strength. 

__________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ 

I know God is Good!! Do you?? Over and over God shows us His goodness, and yet some of our greatest struggles come as we are tempted to doubt His goodness to us. I think it may 

have been the primary struggle Jesus had with Satan in the wilderness. Satan tempted Jesus at the place of His identity and His belief in the goodness of His Heavenly Father. No matter what life brings your way trust that God is good. 

I do hope you have had a good week. It seems with the hospitalization and being off schedule that maybe I just sent out The Encourager a couple of days ago. I hope this puts me back on schedule.

This is week two since I went to the hospital. I am still weak; have lost nearly 20 pounds and still am in some pain all the time. I have seen a liver specialist. He is going to do two procedures in the next three weeks. Hopefully it will help. The last hospitalization also included two procedures neither stopped the jaundice. I thank God I do not have an infection right now; no fever or chills.

I will see a liver surgeon on the 28th. I do not anticipate he will be able to do anything, but thought another opinion will not hurt anything. Please continue to pray. 

Sandy has been watching the two little grandsons this week. John, our son-in-law, is very sick with the nasty cold that is going around. As of Tuesday both boys were beginning to show signs of catching it. I jokingly told Sandy if she caught it I was changing the locks on the doors and locking her outside. 

It was good to attend church on Sunday. I miss the fellowship so much when I am not able to attend. One of my prayers is that God will give me the opportunity to regain my strength where I can continue the ministry of preaching He has given me. Right now I have nothing scheduled because I would not be able to fulfill the opportunity. Please join me in that prayer. 

Sandy has been recalled by the radiologist to redo her mammogram. We are hoping and praying there is nothing wrong. Join in praying for Sandy. She has the test redone on Thursday. (21st)

So many of you have written an email or sent a card or called. Thanks for your concern. I do apologize that I have not responded to each email as I generally do, but the energy evades me to accomplish the task. 

God bless all of you. So grateful for your love, prayers, concern and responses. I love all of you and am grateful for such a great support system. 

May God give you joy in your heart that lifts your spirit and revitalizes your soul.  ~ DGW