Lent 2: Psalm 121: Mountains

 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—the opening line of Psalm 121 for this Second Sunday of Lent, has deep meaning for me. I’ve lived in mountainous areas most of my life. I tend to be a little disoriented when there aren’t mountains.

Mountains help me determine direction. From my home now, the mountains are to the east and so I can always orient myself in the city or surrounding area. Flat, open areas don’t offer that guidance.

Mountains offer respite. A trip to the mountains is a way to get out of town and take a deep breath. There are trees and animals there not found in the city.

Mountains symbolize stability. How long have those cliffs towered above the valley floor? Perhaps not forever, but for a very long time. The history of the nearby mountains, in fact, is a history of ups and down as erosion levels the land and earth movements lifts the layers.

The Psalm says that despite all this, God is the real help, the maker of heaven and earth. The Psalmist promises Adonai is your guardian…provides shade…guards your life…from now on and forever. Furthermore, he who watches over Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Those are pretty impressive promises. If the strength and stability of mountain peaks and ranges is comforting, how much more is the care of the One who makes the mountains?

God helps us determine the direction to go. When we orient ourselves in scripture and prayer, we discover the guidance of God.

God offers respite—the shade mentioned in the psalm. We can all use a time of quiet and breathing in the Spirit of God.

God provides real stability. Mountains may rise and fall in geologic time, but God is forever. God never slumbers or sleeps.

The Old Testament lesson this week (Genesis 12:1-4) tells of how Abram left his home and kindred at the call of God. The Epistle says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3) The Gospel reading from John 3 compares faith to wind as Jesus tells Nicodemus, the wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

The Spirit of God is our guardian and our help. Mountains and wind remind us of God’s strength.

What part of nature reminds you of God’s protection, strength, and help?

Psalm 121 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; * from where is my help to come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, * the maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved * and he who watches over you will not fall asleep. 4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep; 5 The Lord himself watches over you; * the Lord is your shade at your right hand, 6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *  nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; * it is he who shall keep you safe. 8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, * from this time forth for evermore. (Book of Common Prayer)

If I raise my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come? 2 My help comes from Adonai, the maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip — your guardian is not asleep. 4 No, the guardian of Isra’el never slumbers or sleeps. 5 Adonai is your guardian; at your right hand Adonai provides you with shade — 6 the sun can’t strike you during the day or even the moon at night. 7 Adonai will guard you against all harm; he will guard your life. 8 Adonai will guard your coming and going from now on and forever. (Complete Jewish Bible)

Psalm of My God

Last time I challenged you, as readers, to come up with a definition or a poem or psalm defining their individual image of God and to think about how that impacts prayer and life in general.

My own poem/psalm is rather simple and I sincerely hope it does impact both the way I pray and the way I interact in my day-to-day life.

God, my God, You Are
The One who opens
God, my God, You Are
Opening eyes and ears
God, my God, You Are
Opening clenched hands and hearts

God, my God, You Are
Setting Free
God, my God, You Are
Powerful and Empowering
God, my God, You Are
The opposite of fear

God, my God, You Are
Love Unchangeable
God, my God, You Are
Calling me to You

God, my God, You Are “I AM”

No matter how you define God-God defines you as Beloved Child. Matthew West's song Hello My Name Is... really highlights this truth. Take a couple minutes to listen to his words.

Next weekend is Labor Day—the de facto beginning of the fall season. What new ideas might we explore together?