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Help from the Lord

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.
Psalm 121:1

We are living in a saddening time. It is saddening to see 15,000 troops protecting the Capitol from a mob threatening to disrupt the inauguration of a new president. It is saddening to learn of bloodshed as a mob desecrated the Capitol and threatened the lives of our leaders. It is saddening to learn that state capitols have called in their national guard to protect buildings and leaders. 

Yet it is not God's way that saddening things endure. Surely the Maker of heaven and earth has a better way. It seems to me that sacred places are part of that better way.

Mount Mansfield was one of the sacred places I was able to see simply by going downstreet. The panoramic and awe inspiring view was a reminder of something more than life's troublesome valleys. The seasonally changing view reminded me of the coming winter, the resurging spring with maple syrup, the warmth of a playful summer, and a colorful fall.

Psalm 121 is a Song of Ascents used by the Jews traveling to Jerusalem, the Holy City on a hill. It was traditionally sung as the Jews ascended the uphill road to Jerusalem because it offered encouragement. Where does my help come from as I ascend the uphill road? It comes from the Lord, Maker of haven and earth.

It seems to me this image of help from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, offers encouragement as we ascend the uphill journey to a better place and time. It offers hope that we will get glimpses of God's kingdom as we ascend. 

Ascending the hill of the Lord, to a better time and place, is a journey done with confidence, trust and hope because the Lord goes with us.

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