Hello "Fan" -tastic Passengers,
Hello “Fan” – tastic Passengers,
How can a born-again believer comfort him/herself when the difficulties and dangers on the path of life are greatest? Where must you turn for help? As strangers and pilgrims of earth, the born-again believer will need the help of one to skillfully navigate the path of life. Notwithstanding, they must not rely upon men and means, instruments and second causes for help in times of trouble (Psa.121:1; 1 Pet.2;11; Heb.11:13). Must I depend upon the strength of the hills? upon princes and great men? No! “God is your Helper.” Most assuredly, Scripture says, “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” (Psa.121:2).
The apostle Peter refers to the persecuted believers as, “strangers and pilgrims” as they were existing in a wicked world (1 Pet.2:11). “Alien” and “stranger” are used synonymously and refers to one who is a temporary resident or traveler in a foreign country, passing through on his way to his home country. Such a person, therefore, has a different mentality about the uncertainties that presents themselves in life, than a permanent resident has.
Psalm 121 fits well against the backdrop of a pilgrimage as it is concerned with the fears one faces on such a journey. It moves naturally from the need for help (Psa.121:1-2); to the promise of God’s protection (Psa.121:3–8). The psalmist is not looking at the hills as a source of help but as a source of threat or harm.
The psalmist does not look to the creation, which are represented by the mountains in this instance but rather to the Creator for his help (Psa.46:1; 54:4). Therefore, amidst the challenges that the psalmist may meet with on his journey, his vision is set firmly on the final goal, Jerusalem, and Zion, the hill of God.
If Jehovah created the heavens and the earth, then He is a God of power, wisdom, and glory, and we have nothing to fear. He is God who, "..spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (Gen.1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26; Psa.33:9). Therefore, Satan and his demonic army may be at work opposing and resisting the saints, on the path of life; but our God can command what He will to work for our good (Rom.8:28).
Scripture in Psalm 147:11 says, “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy” (Psa.147:11). God wants His children to rely on Him for help in every situation. It may seem odd to “fear” and “hope” in the same person, but they work together to produce a profound and deep kind of faith that has the staying power to bring us safely through all hardship and calamity that we face in life. In addition, while there are some human beings who choose not to fear God, the desire of our Heavenly Father, is that we should fear or in other words, be in awe of Him and reverence Him (Psa.34:7; 36:1). Therefore, in our intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father, He wants us always to hope in His mercy. That is His unfailing covenant love for His people (Psa.136; Isa.43:1, 4)
The apostate Jews worshipped other gods at the shrines (“high places”) in the hills (2 Kings 16:4; Jer. 3:23; 13:27; 17:2; Hos. 4:11-13), but the faithful people of God, as they march forward, looked above the hills to the great God who created all things. Furthermore, Scripture says, "Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel" (Jer.3:23).
Consequently, when the travelers caught sight of Jerusalem, situated on the mountains (Psa.87:1; 125:1-2; 133:3), they knew that God dwelt there in His sanctuary and would provide the help they needed (Psa.3:4; 20:2; 46:1; 124:8; 134:3; 1 Kings 8:29-53).
Everything in the heavens and on the earth bears witness to the great Creator who is also our heavenly Father, so why should we fear? (Psa.33:3; 89:11-13; 96:4-5; 104:2-9; 115:15; 124:8; 134:3; 136:4-9.)
In our pilgrimage journey towards heaven, we too meet with difficulties along the way. Nevertheless, Scripture says, " Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4:16). Because Jesus Christ is our High Priest who is in heaven and has experienced human temptation, yet without sin; He stands ready to give immediate and sympathetic help when we are tempted on earth (Heb.2:10; 4:16). The Lord has also promised that, He will never leave nor forsake any of His children (Deut.31:6; Heb.13:5-6). As a result, when we meet with trouble along life’s pathway, we must look to our God for succor, as Scripture says, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb.13:5-6; Psa.118:6)
Your Conductor,
Joy
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