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"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber" (Ps. 121:1–3).
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27).
"He is like a husband waiting for his wife at the airport, watching as each person disembarks from the plane. When she appears, he knows her, he recognizes her features, he sees in her eyes a happy reflection of his own love. He delights in her. She is the only one he embraces." — John Piper1
The psalmist begins chapter 121 with three very critical truths: his Lord is the omnipotent creator of everything, including heaven and earth; his Lord cares for you and your every step; and his Lord never sleeps, never grows weary, and never stops working. The source of the psalmist’s peace is not hidden in the hills; it is the creator of the hills. In this poetic moment, he is not blind to the author of his help. And with inward digestion of Scripture, we also partake in this supernatural sight (Acts 9:17–19; John 9).
These revealed truths of power, compassion, and steadfast love have existed since the very beginning — the Genesis before the Fall (Gen. 1, Gen. 2). Because no knowledge is beyond the mind of God, His sadness doesn’t linger in the "might have been." He knew what the freedom of our will would bring — destruction, toil, and all the grave consequences of sin — but He still gifted it to man because it was foundational to His love for us. God knew the relentless work it would take on His part, the endless seeking for His children, and the death of His Son. Just as God had intimate knowledge of us before we were born, He also knew of our victory in Jesus. When we were created in the image of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God spoke His will for certain glory among the nations (Ps. 96:3; Hab. 2:14). This plan will not fail.
Still, it is worth your time to consider that Jesus both wept and prayed for us (Luke 19:41–44; John 17). He knew the true things of peace that would remain hidden from our eyes. He knew Jerusalem would send their Savior to a cross. His prayer was not for our comfort and leisure; His request to our Father was for oneness — "that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them." He is our Good Shepherd, and He wants us to be His sheep. Therefore, God will continue to work for you every second of every day so that you will hear the voice of His Son. God’s creative love will continue in your life, and your purpose for His eternal glory is certain. There is no small print in His promise.
1John Piper, Solid Joys podcast, "Jesus Knows His Sheep."
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