"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." vs1-2

Our help comes from the Lord; it doesn’t come from people, nor ourselves; it is God’s gift of grace because of Christ’s finished work; it is God’s power that works in us to overcome sin, and to be faithful. God is our hope in his graciousness, so look to him.

Don’t look to yourself or the strength of man. Don’t think the high powered pastor can open doors. The Lord opens, and no man shuts, so be faithful to him who created you, saved you, and who is your judge. Revelation 3:7, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens:"

Truly, we answer to One, and we look to no one else. Love people, but don’t lean on them. Use human help, but look to God. We’ll be bitter and disappointed, if we do otherwise.

Secondly, as the Maker of heaven and earth, he has power. We don’t have a wishful god who’s powerless and helpless. He can subdue human hearts, and he doesn’t allow anything that won’t benefit the elect. He has his hand upon the wickedest acts of Satan, restrains him from going too far, and uses his evil for good. He has power to raise the dead, so don’t fear death. He put away sin, so don’t fear condemnation. The Almighty has power to subdue our lusts, so look to him by the Spirit. He can provide for us, and alleviate all despair.

We’re not trusting one who wants to help but can’t. No, the Infinite mind, arm, and heart are all working for us, and can be counted upon reliably. We have the best and most powerful Being in existence on our side. Therefore, don’t fear. Follow him, and have the highest peace. His ways will prove wise.

Thirdly, we have the promise of his faithfulness.

"He will not let your foot be moved ;he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." vs3-4

He is a covenant keeping God, when we are unfaithful. He may chastise, but he never takes away his love. He counted it HIS RESPONSIBILITY to deliver us from sin. We are responsible also, but he’s covenanted to fulfill all of our duties, so he holds himself to blame, if the elect are not saved. Genesis 44:32, "For your servant became surety for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame in the sight of my father all my life.’"

Oh, the security in God Almighty: He’s put away our sins, made promises, and he has infinite power. Nothing stops his faithfulness, and it’s beyond our comprehension.

Therefore, trust him confidently, and be bold in your walk with God. He hears you in prayer, and answers. He will give more grace than we imagined. Christ's blood will prevail at all times, and nothing removes his love - not our coldness, rebellion, or our wanderings. He is ever the same - the Perfect God - and we are in a right relationship!

"The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day ,nor the moon by night." vs5-6

We will be protected. We will never go too far away for grace. God will deliver us from what destroys others, which is the love of the world. He’ll take away idols and crush them. He’ll destroy hopes. He’ll bring us to obedience, as he did Moses, whom he sought to kill him, so Moses could repent [Exodus 4:24-26]. He’ll destroy our ships like Jehoshaphat's, so we don’t get involved with the wicked. 2 Chronicles 20:37, "Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, 'Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.' And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish." The business deal, the wedding, or whatever it was that would have been too much for us was canceled, so God could give us the joy of the Spirit and obedience. He makes us happy that things didn’t work out, and we see him doing us good.

Let us love this God - ever so faithful and true. Let us preach him without haughtiness and pride. Acknowledge that he alone is worthy, and he will bless the gospel that glorifies him - that serves the Lord from the heart, and provides no human strength.

Finally, let us be ever secure in the Lord.

"The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." vs7-8

Let our confidence be strong, because we look to him, and not ourselves. Let us be sure that we’ll be saved, bold in his mercies, and confident of his provisions. Let us look for jobs with God as our provider and door opener. Let us search out how to improve ourselves with God’s help. Don’t turn your back on him. Soul prosperity is following his great commission.