30 August 2026

In Psalm 121, the Psalmist sings, ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.’ My help comes from God but we look to the hills for help because of their permanence, strength and majesty. In Psalm 46, the Psalmist confirms this when he sings, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’

Having declared that God is our strength, the Psalmist goes on to say, ‘Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed and though  the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.’ Somehow, the Psalmist knew that this could happen. And now we have seen it for ourselves.

When we lived in Stirling, we were surprised to discover that the Abbey Craig which houses the iconic Wallace Monument was breaking up. Boulders broke off and landed on the road. Metal fencing was constructed around it to protect drivers and pedestrians.

When my dad had dementia and I was visiting Ardrishaig more often, I passed through the ‘Rest and Be Thankful’. I feared it because  the mountain at the side of the road had begun to degrade. Landslides blocked the road forcing  us to take a  fifty mile detour!

This week, we have seen a catastrophe on the Tibet-China border. The flash flood was caused by the collapse of a glacier in the Himalayan mountain range. Scientists have warned that the glaciers are melting twice as fast as they did in 2000 as a  result of global warming. The mountains are falling!

The Psalmist is not afraid even though the mountains fall into the sea. Our help is not from the mountains. We have seen that all too clearly. Our help is from God. He is our refuge and strength and very present help in time of trouble. May his wisdom and grace enfold all those affected by this catastrophic event.