Principal's Ponderings

I Will Lift My Eyes

'I lift my eyes to the mountains;

    where does my help come from, the mountains?

No, my strength comes from God,

    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

He won’t let you stumble,

    your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.

Not on your life! Israel’s

    Guardian will never doze or sleep.

God’s your Guardian,

    right at your side to protect you,

Shielding you from sunstroke,

    sheltering you from moon stroke.

God guards you from every evil,

    he guards your very life.

He guards you when you leave and when you return,

    he guards you now, he guards you always.'

  Psalm 121

Psalm 121 opens with a beautiful question that stirs our hearts, “I lift my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?” This question leads us to reflect on the source of our strength and hope. For me, this Psalm holds a vivid memory of trekking through the rugged mountains of northern Thailand over twenty years ago. The journey was as challenging as it was awe-inspiring. The path wound through small villages, thick forests and steep, demanding trails. At times, exhaustion settled deep, and I found myself looking up, almost as though my soul was seeking refuge in something far greater than my own strength. Being in a different environment and different food from villages and sleeping arrangements was a real eye-opener for me. It was in those moments that I was reminded of Psalm 121, my help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

That journey became a tangible reminder that we can only go so far in our own strength. We often find ourselves in situations, whether physical, emotional or spiritual, where we realise we cannot make it alone. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” And how true that is! It is not just in the mountains of northern Thailand but in our daily ups and downs of life, when we reach the end of ourselves, that we find strength in the One who never falters.

Psalm 121 promises that our God “will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber.” How comforting to know that we have a Keeper who is constantly aware, always vigilant. He does not sleep, He does not get distracted. We can place all our hope, every ounce of trust, in Him knowing that He is steadfast.

As we journey, like I did through those mountains, we are reminded that we may grow weary, but God does not. His care is as enduring as the mountains themselves. Corrie ten Boom, a courageous woman of faith, once said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Is not this at the heart of Psalm 121? We look up because we know that the God who created the mountains is faithful to carry us through, no matter the landscape we face.

Today, I invite you to lift your eyes, just as I did on that trek, to the Creator who walks beside us. Perhaps you are facing challenges that seem as daunting as those steep trails. Maybe your heart is weary, and you wonder if you can keep going. Remember, you do not journey alone. Just as I found renewed strength in those mountains, we can find our source of help, hope and strength in Jesus. Psalm 121 reminds us that He is our Keeper, always watching over us, every step of the way. So let us continue, not in our strength, but in the everlasting arms of our unchanging God.

Shalom, shalom.

Chad Smit | Principal