October 21, 2020

Sharing from the congregation – Sue Biggerstaff

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord , who made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. - Psalm 121 KJV

When we lift our eyes up to the hills, we probably think of the Smokies. Out west the people might think of the Rockies. Living in the Appalachian Mountains, we are surrounded by beautiful views especially this time of year.

Growing up in the western North Carolina mountains, I have wonderful memories of sitting with my grandmother on her wrap around porch and looking toward Grandfather Mountain. We all probably have favorite mountain memories.

Psalm 121 is one of several in the Bible known as Songs of Ascent. These were songs pilgrims would sing as they made their way toward Mt. Zion and the temple in Jerusalem. Their journey was a dangerous, arduous, and hostile one. The psalmist believed that his God, who made heaven and earth, would be his protector. He was not afraid God would fall asleep during the long, cold nights nor would he forsake him in the heat of the day. He would be his protector through rough terrain and any mishap along the way.

Today we are traveling through a time of uncertainty with the pandemic and the political upheaval. We must be like the ancient pilgrim psalmist and recognize that God accompanies and preserves us.

We often sing a hymn that conveys the message of this psalm.

God will take care of you, thru ev'ry day, o'er all the way; He will take care of you; God will take care of you.

Gracefully Submitted,
Sue Biggerstaff