As fifth graders in a public school, we were assigned to memorize this “wonderful piece of literature” as described by our teacher.  We even got a grade for how well we recited Psalm 12I, in the King James Version, as we compared how it was written to Shakespearian literature. Oh, my teacher was so good to use her teaching skills to creatively present Truth!  I still remember the poster of this Psalm hanging in our classroom!  She made an impact on me!  Here is the KJV translation in Old English style;

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. —Psalm 121, KJV

I look back now at 75 years of age and remember the many ways she told us she was a believer in God without using preachy or churchy words but spoke volumes with her life about who she was with Who was in charge over her life, profession, and her classroom! When I became a teacher who was committed to God; I remembered her examples of quiet witness to God.  The law may say we cannot force every student to pray out loud to God, and I even understand why the law is what it is; but as teachers who believe, we have the freedom to pray—in the classroom in the Name of Jesus! There is no law that keeps us from arriving early, touching the seats of students to pray God’s best for each one.  We also pray for ourselves to be all God wants us to be.  We must pray for God’s wisdom and strength as we teach young, impressionable minds!  My classroom was saturated in prayer to God! 

And when a child would quote scripture but couldn’t remember where it came from or why he/she knew it, I certainly had the freedom to answer their question—God’s Word called the Bible!  Teachers cannot begin conversations about God and especially our doctrine; but we can certainly answer when asked, God helping us.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” was my daily prayer along with, “I trust you, Jesus, let’s teach!”

Psalm 121, The Message

A song of ascents.

^1-2 I look up to the mountains;
    does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

^3-4 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.

^5-6 God’s your Guardian,
    right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
    sheltering you from moonstroke.

^7-8 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.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We learn that God never sleeps so He always notices what we need, continually working on our behalf! Do we really believe what God says to be really real?  The measure of our faith in God comes from the depth of our belief in God.  Do we trust Him? Are we ready to surrender our will as we seek His perfect will that is best for us? Are willing to trust and obey knowing there IS no better way to live our lives?

Do we really believe?  Prayerfully pause and ask the hard questions of God.  We won’t out stump Him.  He has the answer! There is no one like our God!

God in our Guardian; Jesus is our Advocate; His Holy Spirit is our Counselor!  How can we lose?  Consider the Three-in-One Power available to us! How can we say we don’t have what we need when God is the Authority over all he has created and knows exactly what we need and delivers the answer for our need right on time?! 

God promises to us never fail to be fuliflled.  God’s love cannot be separated from us.  God is always faithful and will never leave us.  Jesus is Savior to all who call on Him in surrender with repentant hearts. Jesus is Lord to all who place all their hope in Him.  God’s Holy Spirit guides us to all Truth.  We listen as we humbly walk and talk with God.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.

2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside. [Refrain]

(Author, Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923)

Lord,

Thank you for memories of past learning and growing in my relationship with you because of all the mentors you put in my life.  I am eternally grateful for each one who has gone on to be with you now.  Continue to daily cleanse my heart to remove all that does not belong there, renew my mind in ways that transform me to be more like you, refresh my souls with your new mercies each day, and restore the joy of you in me and me in you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen

“Let the morning bring word of your unfailing love for ALL my trust is in you.” (from Psalm 143)