LOOK UP TO GOD
LOOK UP TO GOD
I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. – Psalms 123:1 NLT.
Introduction
As humans, we have an innate desire to look up to something greater than ourselves. Whether it be another person, an ideal, or a higher power, looking up provides perspective, reassurance, and hope.
Brethren, our message today will encourage us to lift our eyes above the troubles of this world and fix our gaze firmly on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For in him alone will we find true comfort, strength and peace.
The Psalmist writes “I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.” Truly this should be our heart’s cry each and every day. For when we are weary, when challenges press in all around, when suffering seems endless – it is to our Father in Heaven that we must look. Do not lose heart, do not despair, but fix your eyes on Jesus.
I know that in this life difficulties will come. Pain, sickness, hardship – these are guarantees in a fallen world. But no matter your circumstance, no matter how long you have walked in darkness, take courage! Lift your soul to God for He alone can rewrite your story. People may mock you for your situation, they may look down on you for your lack. But do not listen to the lies of this world – listen only to the truth and promises of God.
Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He understands every tear, He knows the pain of rejection. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Put your hope in Him. He is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine. So lift your eyes, lift your hands, lift your voice – call out to the One who sees you, who loves you, who has a hope and a future for you. Look to Jesus, our faithful Savior and Lord. Unless the heart is lifted up, the lifting up of the eyes (Ps. 25:1, 123:1) or hands in prayer is of no avail; see La 3:41.
“Unless the heart is lifted up, lifting one’s eyes or hands in prayer is in vain.”
Why We Must Look Up to God?
Here, we will look at why we should look up to God. In each point, I will share a brief story to encourage our faith.
Point 1. We look up to God because He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is the beginning and the end, granting and accomplishing what we hope for through faith.
When I was struggling with doubts, God reminded me of His faithfulness through a story in the Bible. Abraham believed God’s promise to make him a father of many nations, even though he was old and childless. Through Abraham’s example of faith, God strengthened my own faith to keep looking to Him.
Point 2. We look up to God for His mercy (Ps. 123:2). As the Psalmist says, we keep looking to the Lord for His mercy. This conveys the idea of patiently and hopefully waiting on the Lord. We are all servants of the Lord. Imagine a servant who wrongs his master and knows he deserves punishment. He will look to his master, hoping for mercy. This reflects our relationship with God – when we sin, we can look to Him, trusting in His mercy.
A friend of mine made a mistake at work and feared losing her job. Through prayer and God’s mercy, her boss forgave her error. This encouraged me to always run to God for mercy in my times of failure or need.
Point 3: We look up to God because he is our creator (Genesis 1:1). In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Just as a building looks up to its architect and builder, so we as God’s creation look up to him.
Story: When I was in college, I took an architecture class. One day, our professor took us on a tour of a new high-rise building that had just been constructed. As we walked through the massive steel beams and concrete floors, I was amazed at the intricate design and engineering that went into such a towering structure. It made me think of how much more intricate and amazing our own design must be as living beings created by God. Just as that building looked to its human architects and builders, so we must look to our divine Creator.
Point 4: We look up to him for his help (Ps. 121:1-2). Our help does not come from the mountains polluted by idols. And help does not come from any man unless the Lord touches man to help us. “Truly the hills are a deception, and the mountains are confusion. Truly, in the LORD our God is Israel’s salvation.” (Jer. 3:23) If we are not focused on the Lord, help will never come. May God’s help locate you this month. And may we see the salvation of the Lord.
Story: When a close friend of mine lost her job unexpectedly, she was overwhelmed with worry and uncertainty. But she cried out to the Lord for help, and within a few weeks found an even better job opportunity. Truly our help comes from the Lord!
Point 5: We look up to God because he is the strength to the powerless (Isaiah, 40:29). There are some people who are weak, and can not stand before their foes. It is God that gives strength to those who look up to him.
Story: During the pandemic, I knew an elderly woman who lived alone. She struggled with fear, loneliness and illness. But she found great strength when she focused her eyes on Jesus each day. His strength was truly made perfect in her weakness.
Point 6: We look up to God because he fights our battles (2 Chronicles 20:15). When the armies of Moab and Ammon came against King Jehoshaphat and Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat was afraid but looked to the Lord in prayer. God told Jehoshaphat not to be afraid for the battle belonged to the Lord. The next day as they went to face the enemy, God caused the armies of Moab and Ammon to fight against each other until they were destroyed. God fought for Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah because Jehoshaphat looked to Him.
Point 7: We look up to God because he provides protection from enemies (1 Kings 19:1-9). When Queen Jezebel sought to kill the prophet Elijah after he defeated the prophets of Baal, Elijah was afraid and fled into the wilderness. Yet even in his fear, Elijah looked to God who sent an angel to provide him food and drink and give him strength to travel 40 days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. There God protected Elijah from Jezebel and all who sought his life. We must look to God for He alone can protect us from all who rise up against us.
Prayers
O Lord, you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Look down from heaven and see how we suffer, how we struggle to overcome the challenges of this life. We lift our eyes to you, our Father in heaven, and ask that you would show us your mercy. Pour out your Spirit of wisdom and revelation upon us, that we may know how to navigate each obstacle you allow into our path. Give us grace for today’s trials and faith for tomorrow’s unknown.
God of Jacob, by your mighty hand you delivered your people from their enemies of old. You are the same Lord today, and we call upon your power to protect us from those who would do us harm. Surround us with your angels, strong and swift, that no weapon formed against us may prosper. Let your enemies be scattered, O Lord, and let those who hate your children flee before you. We hide ourselves in the shadow of your wings until danger has passed.
Mighty Counselor, we come before your throne with heavy hearts, weighed down with sorrows too great to bear alone. You promised that those who mourn will be comforted, that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Turn our mourning into dancing, clothe us in garments of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Lift our faces from weeping that we may shine with the joy of our salvation. You are able to do far more than we could ever ask or think – change our sadness into gladness as we lift our eyes to you.
Merciful Father, great is your faithfulness; your compassions never fail. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, still your unfailing love for your people remains. We cast all our cares upon you, for you care for us. Show us afresh each day that our help comes from you, the Maker of heaven and earth. Be gracious to us in our time of need as we lift our eyes to you in prayer.
none can see your face and live, yet we ask boldly for your glory to be revealed. By your grace alone, answer us for your glory’s sake. Come and transform our lives by your power and love. May all who look upon us see not ourselves but only Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
OR
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