Austin’s Beautiful Hill Country
There are many Austin slogans and one of which is “Keep Austin Weird”. It amuses me, but also disappoints me that there are so many confused souls that hang out in certain places around town that are very weird!
Better Austin slogans include “Austin is the new Silicon Valley”; “Willie Nelson Wants You to Visit Austin” (that one is on a billboard); “Heaven for Music Lovers”. My favorite is: “Keeping the Hill Country Beautiful”.
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a more beautiful city that is rolling with hills. One such hill is Mount Bonnell. Carl and I enjoy taking in Austin’s many sights. One of those times was climbing Mount Bonnell to gaze out over the city from a mountain top view.
Honestly, it wasn’t a feat. 100 steps up, and we were there! From Covert Park, at the top, we could see magnificent 360-degree views that include the city skyline and Lake Austin.
Of course, Psalm 121:1,2 comes to mind: “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.” Aw! The answer to our plea for help in the moment of distress, worry, concern, fear, and pain.
My “teacher” instincts drive me to know more about scriptures and their meaning. I checked out this one from a Bible commentary. This chapter was called the Song of Ascents as Jews made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem for annual feast days. With that in mind, it is plain to see that this is a pilgrim’s song that speaks of the dangers of the journey, and of the help God provides along the way.
This verse is first, a cry of despair. “Where does my help come from?” Obviously, there is danger lurking in the hills above and is waiting for an opportunity to pounce upon the weary traveler. When that happens, where can the pilgrim turn to for help? The psalmist answers his own question by reminding us that “the Lord is our help!”
I don’t worship Austin’s hills, but I sure appreciate their beauty as I worship my Father Who created them. We are all pilgrims on our own pilgrimage that began the very moment that we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and it will continue until we step out of this life and into eternity.
In the meantime, there are enemies that desire to rob us of peace, joy, and victory. There are problems that try to strip us of trusting in God’s power. I have known those difficult times when dangers surrounded my life and I wondered where my help would come from.
You might be there right now. You may be the reason God gave me these words today. The HELP the Psalmist is referring to is the Source of Help Who is greater than any problem we can imagine. The HELP is our Father AND the Creator of the hills.
Our Helper is none other than the very One who stood on the edge of nothing and made everything with His words. Hang on, weary pilgrims! Your help and my help comes from the Lord and HELP is on its way!