Pastor John joined as lead Pastor at Concordia in Late 2021, relocating from Southern California. He nrings with him his wife Angela and two daughters.
A couple of months ago, my wife and I rented the movie, Conclave. It was a fascinating drama about the process the Roman Catholic Church goes through to elect a new pope. It gives imaginative insight into a mysterious process. Shortly thereafter, Pope Francis died. I...
Easter is just around the corner. I’ve always liked Easter. The gift baskets, bright and cheerful colors, and brunch with the family after church (hopefully, at the “all-you-can-eat” buffet!). It’s also one of two days of the year that everyone shows up to...
25“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap...
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“My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth”
- Psalm 121:2
The phrase above is so short and simple, you probably have just memorized it by reading it. That’s good. It’s not “Jesus wept” good, but almost.
The short phrases of Scripture can still have a big impact. They give us truth, but they can also encourage us or give us an alternative way of thinking.
When I read the verse above, it reminds me of who I can look to when trouble comes my way, “My help comes from the Lord …” It reminds me to turn to Him in prayer during times of trouble.
It also tells us something about the Lord. He made heaven and earth. That is such a short and simple statement. But it is so profound. God made absolutely everything. That tells us God is both incredibly and inexhaustively creative. The Scripture tells us He is more than strong, He is all-powerful.
He is limitless in His abilities.
Right now, I can’t quite fit that in my head. But what I can understand is the Lord who made heaven and earth is where/who my help comes from. That is an encouraging thought. God is on my side when things go badly.
How many people have I run into as a teacher, pastor, parent or friend who have spoken their needs to me? Things that I am completely powerless to change. All I can do is listen and sympathize at times. It really stinks.
I wish I could fix things. I wish I could do more for them to help them out of their problems and challenges. I want to help. I don’t like feeling ineffective in their trials and tribulations.
Of course, we can listen to them. we can pray. we can ask the Lord who made heaven and earth to intervene.
And there’s something else we can do. We can speak this verse to people hanging from a string, “Your help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.”
That’s good news. God is endlessly creative. He is unlimitedly powerful. His understanding and ability are far beyond our limited imaginations.
And above all, His is inexhaustively loving you. He never stops. He sent His Son Jesus to show you the length, breadth and depth of this love. The Lord who created the heavens and the earth was crucified, died and buried in the earth. Jesus Christ did this for you. There is no limit to His love.
So we pray,
“Lord, maker of Heaven and earth, help those who are going through trials we are powerless to help them with. Be their comfort, peace, strength, joy and hope. Make your presence felt and known, Jesus, to them. And with your mighty right hand, help, save, comfort and defend them. Amen”