HE WILL NOT LET ME FALL –

The compilers of these Songs of Ascent wanted to provide a psalm that would offer a source of comfort to those pilgrims on their way to the Holy Place where God’s presence dwelt; one that boasted of God’s abiding presence along the way, especially in times of hardship and distress. As these pilgrims ascended from the lower plains of Jericho, with its dusty and lonely trails up to the holy city built on Mt. Zion, with the House of God on the highest hill, they were encouraged to join others in praising and honoring the Almighty for His steadfast love and tender loving care. They needed this because they passed many shrines and grottoes along the way where they could have stopped and said their prayers. But they were looking for the real thing, they wanted their encounter with God to be alive; they refused to settle for some worn-out, broken down, substitute image.

“I’m looking up to the hills where my strength comes from; this is where I find the most help. Yes, my strength comes only from the LORD Eternal, the one who created the universe. For He will not allow trouble to catch you unawares; because your Heavenly Guardian never gets drowsy or falls asleep. Let me say that again, the Guardian of Believers never gets drowsy or falls asleep. Because your Heavenly Guardian is the LORD Eternal, yes, the LORD Eternal stands guard over you at all times. That way, neither hot dreary days nor cold miserable nights will make you want to quit. For the LORD Eternal will be your Champion against all that’s meant to discourage you; your life is in His hands. That’s right, coming or going; the LORD Eternal is always by your side.” Psalm 121:1-8

Reflection: While living in Switzerland I heard about a young Swiss girl who lived in the Alps, and went out each day to collect beautiful Edelweiss flowers to sell. One day while looking for them she fell into a rocky crevice, becoming hopelessly wedged between boulders, unable to free herself. Someone heard her cries for help and went to rescue her, but they were too large to fit into the narrow cleft where she was tightly lodged. So they ran back to the village and brought a young boy known for his agility, along with some rugged men to lower him to the girl and free her so she could climb out. But when these hearty men took hold of the rope to tie it around his waist in order to lower him, the little lad refused. They couldn’t understand why until he told them that unless they could guarantee that his father, a short, frail man, also held onto the cord, he didn’t want to risk his life saving the girl. When the men asked him why having his father hold the rope made any difference, the young lad replied, “Because I know, my papa will not let go.” Without question the writer of this psalm felt the same sense of certainty when it came to his Heavenly Guardian’s commitment to guard his life. Such a pledge certainly offered each pilgrim the reassurance they needed to continue on their way with confidence, despite the treacherous road and long journey. What better way for any believer to walk with blessed assurance, than to do so in confidence that their Father in Heaven never sleeps, let’s go, or walks off and leaves them to the mercy of the elements. Some people think God’s gets angry and walks away when we get into trouble, but the psalmist believed the opposite; that this is when God stays the closest because He knows we need Him then more than ever.