Reading: Psalm 121 (NRSV)
Song: I Lift My Eyes (lyrics here)
Reflection
Psalm 121 may not be a text we traditionally associate with Advent, but in keeping with the theme of waiting and anticipation, it is one that fits perfectly. Advent is all about the coming of hope, and during these weeks we remind ourselves that for many generations that hope seemed a distant thing.
And yet even when it seemed distant, the people of Israel were reminded in texts like this one that hope was not absent. They were also reminded that the hope they longed for had one source and one source alone: God.
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (v. 2)
When we are desperate for hope, we can fall prey to the temptation to seek it in places it can’t truly be found. Temporary pleasures, earthly powers, wealth, and other false sources of hope can present themselves to us with promises they are completely unable to keep, but which seem appealing when the promises of God seem far off.
When we face our own seasons of waiting, we do well to remember the Hebrews who looked for the hope that was yet to come. They looked to the hills of Jerusalem and were reminded that God watches over all their comings and goings, and that he neither slumbers or sleeps as he keeps guard over his people. During Advent our eyes are drawn to other hills as well—the hill country of Judea, where the village of Bethlehem will give testimony to God’s provision and hope in the most unbelievable way. The birth of the Christ child is the ultimate expression of the truth that “our help comes from God” Can we hold to that hope, even when in the midst of seemingly hopeless times?
How has God brought hope to you in difficult times? What songs or passages of Scripture are good reminders to you of hope? How can you keep that hope before you every day and respond to the call to “lift your eyes?” Spend some time in prayer and worship, gazing on the One who made heaven and earth, and who moved heaven and earth to demonstrate his love for you.