I need help

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121:1-2.

There is an ultimate place to look to for help.

I often turn to “alternatives” when needs press in.

But this psalmist tells me to seek help from God.

I am currently reading “The Case For The Psalms” by NT Wright to get a clearer view of the psalms.  I have learned that there are many variables within the Psalms, but God is not one of them.

There is a beginning (God promises to bless) and there is an ending (Paradise will come).  We live in between and are to be light in a dark place. We try, in His strength, to establish God’s kingdom here on earth in the meantime.

Psalms fluctuates between those three sections sometimes within the same chapter or verse. Psalm 121 states in verse 7 that, “The Lord will keep you from ALL harm.”  That’s future talk and I can be thankful as I envision that time.  In today’s verse I’m told to look to God for help……that’s present talk.

I am thankful that the One Who made heaven and earth is mindful of me today.  When I sense a need for help (my son-in-law is getting a checkup) I’m choosing the heaven/earth maker to ask for it.

Conclusion: The best help I will ever get comes from God.  I need to live accordingly.

According to the Old Testament plan

“’In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written:’”  Matthew 2:5.

Verse chosen from today’s Bible reading:  1 Samuel 17, Psalm 9, and Matthew 2.

An undercurrent in the Old Testament is that a King is coming to right the wrongs in the world and to transform things into the way they should be. This King will be anointed with God’s own powerful Spirit.

Information about the circumstances of this Messiah’s entry into the world are found in the Old Testament.

The second chapter of Matthew has three direct connections to Old Testament prophets (Micah, Hosea, and Jeremiah).

The Old Testament is a single lengthy story that lacks an ending.  In it God choses a people (Israel) to use to clean up the wickedness and rebellion in His creation.  It turns out that the Israelites are just as wicked and rebellious as those they were supposed to clean up.  Something else is needed and there were numerous references in the Old Testament to a future King who would be able to make things right for the whole world.

The OT ends before that King appears.  But in Matthew the Old Testament references begin to find fulfillment in Jesus.  Bethlehem is where Jesus is born.  Egypt is where Mary and Joseph take Jesus to escape Herod.  The anguish of families over Herod’s ruling is described.  This Jesus is the King that God is sending!

This is part of the Good News for the Jews.  The King described in the Old Testament is in their midst.  Shepherds heard angels.  Wise men saw a star. However, many weren’t sure that Jesus was that King.  Herod was fearful of competition so he deviously tried to kill young Jesus.

“Lord, how comforting it is to see the connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament.  You are indeed that coming King of the Old Testament.  You are the Messiah.  You have destroyed sin’s power.  You have ushered in the new life in You with the resurrection.  Thank You, Father, for taking care of me.  Enable me to do the work You want as I await Your return.”

Jesus was the coming King referenced in the Old Testament.  The OT trail is very specific.