Mountains

I think mountains are amazing. My fiancée is from the Lake District and I went to visit her in August and we went up a couple of mountains (technically I think they were fells) and saw some amazing views, and some very adventurous sheep along the way.

Now, these were only really little mountains, but it was still pretty hard going up them, we were both pretty worn out by the end of the day. And when you climb mountains, there are lots of things that can help you – a bottle of water, some walking boots, a friend to encourage you, and some snacks, is what we had. And they helped us get to the top of the mountain, and down the other side.

And sometimes life feels a bit like climbing a mountain, doesn’t it. You’re putting in a lot of effort and not really getting anywhere. And we need help, we need our metaphorical walking boots. Maybe for you that’s a certain piece of music, or a hobby, or a person that helps you get through everything that’s difficult about life, helps get you up the mountain. And it’s good to find those things that help you.

But the Bible tells us there’s another source of help. There’s a group of psalms that were written to be sung as God’s people climbed mountains, as they went up to worship God in Jerusalem. And one of these psalms starts with these words “I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.”

Maybe they were looking up at the mountains and wanting help from God, or maybe they were looking at God’s temple and seeing how wonderful it was that God was their helper. And rightly so! He’s the maker of heaven and earth, the creator of all things, so how amazing would it be if He helped you in your life. The things that seem like mountains would start looking like molehills. And God can be your helper too, He’s reaching out to help you in your life, whatever mountains you might face. This doesn’t mean He’ll always give you what you want, but it does mean He cares, and He’ll do what’s best for us, He is willing to be our helper.

Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. 

Matt Gurtler