I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
—Psalm 121:1–3
Scripture:
Doubt is often at the root of many fears we face as believers. The reality is that we live in an unpredictable world. It’s hard to maintain a sense of assuredness when we’re surrounded by potential threats to our safety and security. Add to that the uncertainties of daily existence—concerns about job security, financial security, the health of aging family members, and the well-being of our kids.
Add to that the cracks in our spiritual resolve that threaten to give way when life’s pressures start to mount—the circumstances that cause us to question whether the Bible is trustworthy, whether God truly cares for us, or whether we are actually saved.
It might make you feel better to know that the most mature Christians in your life—the people you look up to as spiritual mentors—struggle with similar doubts and the fears that arise from them. But that doesn’t tell the whole story.
You see, even the greatest men and women of God who ever lived had moments of doubt and fear. The prophet Elijah once faced down 450 prophets of Baal in a life-or-death contest by himself. He trusted God to perform an unprecedented miracle to give him victory. Yet as soon as the contest was over, when he learned that Queen Jezebel wanted him dead, he got scared and ran.
Even John the Baptist had moments of doubt. According to Jesus, John was the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Yet after Jesus started His public ministry, John sent a message to Him asking, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Luke 7:19 NLT). But Jesus didn’t rebuke John for his doubt; instead, He reassured him.
If you’re struggling with doubt or fear, here’s what you need to know: God is going to keep you. The psalmist understood that—and celebrated it. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber” (Psalm 121:1–3 NKJV).
The Hebrew word translated as keeps means “watches,” “guards,” or “places a hedge around.” The idea is that God places a wall around you that is impenetrable. The devil cannot scale or penetrate that wall unless God allows it for His purposes.
The apostle Paul wrote, “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT). And the apostle Peter wrote that “through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see” (1 Peter 1:5 NLT).
Were it not for this protection from God, we would have every reason to doubt and fear. But we are kept by His power—and nothing is greater than that.
Reflection question: How have you seen God watch over and protect you in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!
