Trusting God's Unchanging Truth in Uncertain Times
Summary
Psalm 121 offers a powerful reminder for every season of life, especially those marked by change, uncertainty, and transition. As we celebrate milestones like graduations, new jobs, and even the anticipation of new life, we’re also confronted with the anxieties that come with the unknown. In these moments, it’s essential to remember that while growth brings change and change brings challenge, challenge requires truth—and God’s truth never changes. The promises of God are steadfast, regardless of our circumstances.
The psalmist’s words, “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth,” invite us to look beyond the visible, beyond creation itself, and to trust in the Creator. Too often, we seek comfort and solutions in the things of this world—our plans, our resources, our relationships—yet only God can truly satisfy and sustain us. He is not only the all-powerful Creator but also the ever-present Sustainer who knows us intimately and personally.
God’s protection is described as a “hedge,” a shelter that surrounds us even as we walk through trials. This doesn’t mean we’re exempt from hardship, but rather that God is with us in the midst of it, using even our suffering to produce endurance and deepen our faith. The peace He offers surpasses our understanding, and we are called to rest in the shadow of the Almighty, trusting in His provision and presence.
Finally, God’s heart as our Provider is evident in His desire to walk with us in every season—our comings and goings, our beginnings and endings. He sees all, knows all, and invites us into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. The gospel is the ultimate demonstration of God’s unchanging love: though we fall short, Christ lived, died, and rose again so that we might have new life. Whether you are facing a new chapter, wrestling with uncertainty, or simply longing for assurance, the invitation is to trust in Jesus, to rest in His promises, and to walk in the confidence that He will never leave or forsake you.
Key Takeaways
- True help comes not from creation, but from the Creator. In times of uncertainty, it’s tempting to look to our own resources, plans, or the things around us for security. Yet, only the One who made the mountains can truly provide the help and hope we need. When life feels overwhelming, remember that everything that surrounds you is still at His feet—look to God, not to the world, for your help. [14:52]
- God is both infinitely powerful and intimately personal. He sustains the universe and yet knows every detail of your life. His promises are both corporate and personal—He loves His people as a whole, but He also sees and cares for you individually. Never believe that your needs are too small for God; He has not forgotten you and desires to walk with you through every season. [18:16]
- The protection of God is not the absence of hardship, but His presence in the midst of it. The “hedge of protection” means that God is our shelter, but He may allow us to walk through trials to produce endurance and steadfastness in us. We are called to rest in His shadow, which requires surrendering our desire for control and understanding, and instead trusting in His wisdom and care. [25:16]
- God’s provision is constant in both our going out and coming in. He is with us as we step into new ventures and as we return to places of rest. There is nothing hidden from Him, and He desires that we bring every part of our lives to Him—our plans, our fears, our failures—trusting that He will guide, provide, and sustain us through it all. [29:25]
- The gospel is the ultimate promise of God’s unchanging love and faithfulness. Though we fall short and cannot achieve perfection, Jesus lived, died, and rose again to offer us forgiveness and new life. The invitation is always open: whether you are far from God or simply need to renew your trust in Him, choose Jesus today. His promises never fail, and He will never leave or forsake you. [30:10]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:16] - Seasons of Change and Anxiety
[06:03] - God’s Truth Never Changes
[07:22] - Reading Psalm 121
[07:53] - Songs of Ascent: Context and Meaning
[09:40] - The Help of the Creator
[10:51] - Looking to the Creator, Not Creation
[14:52] - Where Do We Seek Help?
[15:39] - The Hold of the Sustainer
[18:16] - God’s Personal Care: The Story of Winnie
[21:00] - The Hedge of the Protector
[25:16] - Enduring Trials and God’s Protection
[29:25] - The Heart of the Provider
[30:10] - The Gospel Invitation
[32:43] - Responding to God’s Call
[33:28] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 121 – Trusting God in Times of Change
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### Bible Reading
Psalm 121 (CSB)
> 1 I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?
> 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
> 3 He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
> 4 Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
> 5 The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side.
> 6 The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night.
> 7 The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life.
> 8 The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
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## Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 121, what are some of the specific ways God is described as helping or protecting His people?
2. In the sermon, what did the pastor say about the context of the “Songs of Ascent” and why the Israelites would sing them? ([07:53])
3. What does the psalmist mean when he says, “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?” How does the sermon explain this? ([09:40])
4. How does the language in Psalm 121 shift from personal to corporate, and what does that show us about God’s care? ([15:39])
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## Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says, “Growth brings change. Change may bring challenge, but challenge requires truth. And God’s truth never changes.” How does this statement help us understand the purpose of Psalm 121 in seasons of transition? ([06:03])
2. The pastor mentioned that God is both “infinitely powerful and intimately personal.” What does it mean for God to be both, and how does that impact the way we relate to Him? ([18:16])
3. The “hedge of protection” is described as God’s shelter, but the sermon also says God sometimes allows us to walk through trials. Why might God allow hardship even as He protects us? ([25:16])
4. The psalm ends with the promise that God will protect our “coming and going both now and forever.” What does this say about God’s involvement in every part of our lives? ([29:25])
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## Application Questions
1. When you face uncertainty or a big change (like a new job, graduation, or a new season in life), where do you usually look for help first? Is it God, or something else? What would it look like to “lift your eyes” to God in those moments? ([14:52])
2. The sermon warns against looking to our own plans, resources, or relationships for ultimate security. Can you think of a recent time when you relied on something other than God for help? How did that turn out? ([14:52])
3. The pastor shared the story of Winnie in Uganda to show that God cares about each of us personally. Is there an area of your life where you feel forgotten or overlooked by God? How does Psalm 121 challenge that feeling? ([18:16])
4. The “hedge of protection” doesn’t mean we won’t face hardship, but that God is with us in it. Think of a trial you’re currently facing (or have faced recently). How might God be using it to grow your endurance or faith? ([25:16])
5. The psalm says God protects our “coming and going.” What are some practical ways you can invite God into your daily routines, plans, and decisions this week? ([29:25])
6. The sermon ends with the invitation to “choose Jesus”—whether for the first time or to renew your trust in Him. Is there a specific area where you need to trust Jesus more fully right now? What step could you take this week to do that? ([30:10])
7. The pastor said, “Everything that may surround you is still at His feet.” What is one worry or fear you need to surrender to God’s control today? ([14:52])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to share prayer requests related to transitions, anxieties, or areas where they need to trust God’s promises. Pray together, asking God to help each person rest in His unchanging truth and presence.
Devotional
Day 1: We Have the Help of the Creator
In times of change and uncertainty, it is easy to look to the things of this world—our plans, our resources, or even the beauty of creation itself—for help and security. Yet, true help comes not from the mountains or anything created, but from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He is all-powerful, almighty, and ever-present, and nothing in this world can fill the longing in our hearts except Jesus. When life feels overwhelming and you feel surrounded by challenges, remember that everything that surrounds you is still at His feet. Look to God, the Creator, for your help, and trust that He alone is able to sustain and deliver you. [14:52]
Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to seek help from something or someone other than God? What would it look like to intentionally turn to the Creator for help today?
Day 2: We Have the Hold of the Sustainer
God is not only the Creator of all things, but He is also the Sustainer who holds us fast. He never slumbers or sleeps, and He is always active in our lives, both personally and corporately. God’s care is both majestic and intimate—He knows exactly what you need and has not forgotten about you, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel. He is powerful enough to speak the universe into existence, yet personal enough to walk with you through every season. You can bring every need and concern to Him, trusting that He sees you, knows you, and desires to walk with you each day. [18:16]
Psalm 121:3-4 (ESV)
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Reflection: What is one specific worry or burden you have been hesitant to bring to God? Will you take a moment today to talk honestly with Him about it, trusting that He cares for you personally?
Day 3: We Have the Hedge of the Protector
God promises to be our protector, placing a hedge of protection around us even as we walk through trials and transitions. While He may allow us to experience hardship, He protects us from ultimate harm and uses our trials to produce endurance and steadfastness in us. Resting in the shadow of the Almighty means trusting in His protection and provision, even when we do not understand the “why” behind our circumstances. Instead of seeking answers that may never come, we are called to cling to what we do know: God is our refuge and fortress, and His peace surpasses all understanding. [25:16]
Psalm 121:5-7 (ESV)
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
Reflection: When you face difficulties, do you tend to seek understanding or control, or do you rest in God’s protection? How can you practice trusting Him as your protector today, even if you don’t have all the answers?
Day 4: We Have the Heart of the Provider
God’s heart is to provide for you in every season—guiding you in your going out and welcoming you in your coming home. He is present in your pursuits and your rest, seeing every detail of your life and inviting you to trust Him fully. There is nothing you can hide from Him, and He desires a relationship with you where you can lay everything at His feet. Even when plans change or fall apart, you can rest in the assurance that God is with you, providing guidance, rest, and security. He wants to walk with you and be your provider in all things. [29:25]
Psalm 121:8 (ESV)
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to trust God’s provision or timing? What step can you take today to surrender that area to Him and invite Him to provide?
Day 5: Choose Jesus—The Unchanging Truth
At the heart of all God’s promises is the invitation to choose Jesus, the One who lived the perfect life we could not, died for our sins, and rose again to give us new life. No matter how far you feel from God or how uncertain your future may seem, the gospel assures us that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Today, you are invited to trust in Jesus—whether for the first time or as a renewed commitment—knowing that He is your help, sustainer, protector, and provider. His truth never changes, and He will never leave you or forsake you. [32:43]
Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Reflection: Have you truly chosen Jesus as your Lord and Savior, or is there something holding you back? If you have, how can you reaffirm that choice today and live out your trust in His unchanging promises?
Quotes
Growth brings change. Change may bring challenge, but challenge requires truth. And God's truth never changes. His word says, though the flower fades, the grass may wither, but by no means will my word ever pass away. So in the unknowns, we hold as Christians to the known and to the ever present promises that his words provide. [00:05:41] (40 seconds)
Remember, God is on his throne. The blood of Jesus is still powerful. The Bible is still true and does not return void. The church is undefeatable and Jesus is coming back. Amen? These are the truths that we cling to. That no matter our circumstances and no matter our experiences, God's truth never changes. [00:06:29] (26 seconds)
When we look at the majesty of creation and we consider how beautiful creation is, I believe there's two responses we can have. We can either be in awe of creation or we can be in awe of the creator. [00:12:58] (18 seconds)
Let us never look for help. In our control. Let us never look to help in our plans or our stuff or our success, our friend group, our looks, the things we see and consume in our life. We cannot look to those things because they will not last and they will not satisfy you, I promise. Let us look to God because he created all things. [00:14:56] (31 seconds)
This protective hedge is so interesting when we look at what scripture really describes this as. This has so much depth. Psalm 91 describes this hedge, this shelter of God that we see is by our side. In Psalm 91 it describes it this way: says whoever dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty. I will say to the Lord he is my refuge and my fortress in whom I trust. [00:23:31] (32 seconds)
We can't know the future, but we do know the one who does. And the calling on our life church today is to trust in him. This is the goodness of God. He wants to walk with you and talk with you and have a relationship with you. And he's gone through great lengths to do that. [00:29:35] (18 seconds)
If you know Jesus and he has changed your life and you've trusted him as your Lord and Savior, choose him again now to know that these truths never change. He's your help, he is your sustainer, your protector and provider, so choose him. [00:31:03] (17 seconds)
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