Refuge of Grace

I glance at the clock. It’s 9:15 AM and I already feel like I’ve run a marathon. Note: I’ve not run a marathon, and those of you who have, you are rockstars! I know my body is not near as tired as I write this as yours is after a race. You, half-marathon or marathon runners, are incredible!

I’ve been awake since 5:30 and both of my kids woke up earlier than normal today. They have been at each other’s throats, like lion cubs fighting over a mouse. The morning bristles with high-pitched screams and cries, signaling they were unable to solve the problem by themselves. Again.

I didn’t have time to read my Bible before the kids awoke, so instead I am making my coffee, while trying to read my Bible. The whole day feels backward. And there goes the anxiety again. Yet another thing I can’t control. I am walking around the house, trying to relax and alleviate the anxiety, but it still prickles restless energy along my limbs.

Then I think, I should be recording this walk so I can track off my walk for the day. Wait a minute, speaking of to do list, I need to listen to that video. What about cleaning up the house? What about that person I need to check in with? What about the sale going on for a limited time. I need to purchase now so that I save money. The list goes on and on—my brain barely feels it can hold one more thing. Do you ever feel this way? Like you don’t have the energy to survive a “normal” day? In these moments, it is so easy to think, I can do this. I can power through by my own strength. But, wait a minute—I don’t have any strength right now; I can’t power through. Where does my help come from now? On these exhausting days, let’s pause, taking a deep breath, and remember our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Let’s find comfort in Psalm 121:2, where the psalmist answers this question with resounding confidence,

“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:2, ESV

This verse triumphantly declares our help comes from God, the maker of heaven and earth. When I look at the world’s complex beauty, from the intricacies of the tiniest bug to the waves of the rolling ocean, this verse tells us God created it all. The world around us sings of the creativity, power, and strength which are found in our Creator, God. And He, the magnificent creator, is our help. This is a help which is beyond any human strength and an aid which has more creativity than the most skilled engineers. Wow, what a secure helper we have in our Maker.

This psalmist goes on in verse Psalm 121:3,

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

Psalm 121:3, ESV

I’m not sure about you, but in weak moments, my feet quiver and my knees wobble, in danger of succumbing to even the lightest breeze of difficulty. And yet, this verse reminds us the One who keeps us, makes our feet secure.

The psalmist continues, reminding us our Maker also never sleeps. So, in the middle of the night, when our minds replay our inadequacies and failures of the day, our help still comes from the fully alert Almighty, who made heaven and earth. What a sigh of relief for our souls.

So, dear friend, no matter what exhausting looks like today or tonight, let’s remember we don’t have to power through in our own strength. Instead, our strength comes from the One who spoke the world into existence; He is fully awake and will not let us slip. Now, that is true strength.