Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. Psalm 42:5 NASB.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Psalm 73:24 ESV.

As I read this beautiful psalm, Psalm 121, how could I not think of Israel today or Israel in any age of man? How could I not think of every nation so in need of the calm only Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, can provide? 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. v. 1-2. Only God’s love brings calm to every storm. 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. v. 3-8.

If we only see the chaos, the turmoil, the confusion – we quickly become overcome. It all becomes too big. Then we can ask ourselves as the psalmist did, why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? And the answer that we all need? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.

Yesterday I was visiting with our 2 oldest granddaughters and I was telling them about a t-shirt I saw and loved…Y’all Need Jesus…and the truth is – we all do need Jesus. His Presence calms us when nothing else can. When we are afraid and confused and hurt, we can lift our eyes to Him and His love lifts us into His arms of comfort and healing and hope. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33. Jesus never said He would take away the trouble in this world. He promised that in Him we would have peace. If you haven’t experienced that, ask. He’s here. Always!