Fields United Methodist Church

Pastor Tom’s Weekly Blog.                              “Forever More”                             Psalm 121

August 14, 2020

“I lift my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”     Psalm 121:1

Life is an adventure; everybody has their unique story, with celebrations and challenges along the way.  As our stories unfold, we grow from the previous chapters and live the present chapter as a new beginning, another opportunity to truly live in the abundance of all that we have received from God. Sounds good on paper, doesn’t it?  Sometimes the chapter is a joy, and sometimes as the chapter unfolds, the challenges mount. Psalm 121 is assurance of God’s protection and a reminder of our Lord Jesus Christ being with us every step of the way. When we lift our eyes to the hills, not in awesome wonder of their splendor as much as in praise of the One who created them and who promised to be with us along the way, throughout each chapter of our lives. Many years ago, I visited a person who asked me to read Psalm 121 to him. The man was in his last days and wanted the assurance of God’s presence with him as he sojourned through the final chapter of his earthly life. As I read, he cried not tears of sorrow for leaving this world but tears of joy knowing that his Savior and redeemer is and will be with him even to the end of the age. His was a witness of hope and assurance of God’s presence along the way and all the way through his story of life. You have the assurance of God’s love through Jesus Christ; lift your “eyes to the hills” and celebrate the gift of God’s love for you through Jesus Christ no matter what life may send your way.  Faith in Jesus Christ is all about living a lifestyle of grace and actually being excited for the present and the future because the One who made the heavens and earth is your “keeper,” your refuge when the inevitable storms of life attempt to beat you down.  Be excited about your journey as it continues. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Celebrate every moment because every moment was given to you by God to celebrate and witness the grace of Jesus Christ offered to you in abundance. Be thoroughly convinced that “nothing will separate you “from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:39) That is a promise made a reality through the cross and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  Make your journey of life an adventure in faith; lift your eyes to the hills of God’s never-ending grace offered to you to be accepted. Despite life’s twists and turns along the way remember that, “the Lord will keep your going out and coming in from this time on and forevermore.” (Ps. 121:7,8) Thank you Jesus!

Rev. Tom Joyce, pastor

Fields United Methodist Church