Bible passage: Psalm 121 (NIV)
“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.
He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.”
As a child, I was encouraged to memorise Psalm 121 and a few other popular ones, like Psalm 23. However, I saw it as a chore back then and failed to grasp its true value. As time passed, most of the passage faded from my memory. But now, as an adult navigating life’s daily challenges, I am beginning to realise the significance of having passages like these etched in my heart.
Take, for instance, those Sunday evenings that tend to cast a shadow of impending workweek blues. Like many, I would meditate on the tasks ahead and the self-imposed pressure to succeed. However, two weeks ago, during one of my quiet times, the Holy Spirit gently redirected my focus to Psalm 121. It stirred a desire in me to memorise it once more. As I committed the words to memory this time, I paused to meditate on their deeper meaning. The comfort and peace they provided took me by surprise.
So, when the following Sunday evening arrived, and my mind started to fill with the usual sober thoughts, I turned to Psalm 121 in prayer. I spoke the words with belief and conviction, and astonishingly, all my worries dissipated. I remembered that I was not alone and that God, who surpasses all earthly challenges and fears, was with me every step. Meditating on Psalm 121 lifted the sobering cloud that typically loomed over my Sunday evenings. I found myself looking forward to the week ahead.
On Monday morning, as the usual worries attempted to creep in, I wasted no time praying Psalm 121, which instantly fortified me. The Word of God had transitioned from being mere words to becoming alive and active in my life (Hebrews 4:12). In reality, intrusive and anxiety-inducing thoughts only wield power when we accept them. These thoughts typically carry weight when we believe the lie that we are alone and must confront our challenges in isolation. But as a Christian blessed with the Holy Spirit, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
This is precisely why passages like Psalm 121 are invaluable to have at the forefront of your mind. Therefore, in addition to Psalm 121, I urge you to take note of passages that resonate with you during your quiet times. Meditate on them, pray them, particularly when life becomes challenging, and witness as these words pierce through your mental battles and provide peace in your current circumstances.
