Sent: Monday, November 26, 2001

Subject: The ? Makes All the Difference

Good Morning Ethan & Emily:

Psalm 121: 1 is an often quoted verse and it is usually repeated from the “old” King James version as follows:  “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”

Well, the hills and mountains are very beautiful and they have majesty…but they have absolutely NO ability to help anyone…to be quite frank. The more recent King James versions…as well as all other translations…corrected the grammar of the original and inserted the very important question mark at the end of the sentence so that it properly states:

“I look up to the mountains…does my help come from there?”

Quite a difference but one little question mark changes the emphasis from the mountains to the Lord…who most certainly can and does offer His love and assistance.  The passage continues: ( vv. 2 – 3)

“My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!  He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep.”

Another of my favorite verses from the Psalms is found in the 37th chapter, vv. 23 – 24 that continues a theme in the above passage:  “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.  He delights in every detail of their lives.  Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”

Isn’t that an awesome passage?  Just think…God is interested in EVERY DETAIL of our lives and although we are not promised smooth sailing thru life, we have His promise that if we are trying to live a “godly” life…at those difficult and stressful times when we “stumble,” He will not allow us to fall because He will be holding our hand!

It just doesn’t get any better than that.  So, as we close our devotions and quiet time this morning….make sure you are looking in the right places for help as you go about living your daily lives.

Pay attention to the details of your life…even a small detail such as a question mark can make a world of difference!

All my love,

Daddy-O