Looking Up

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time over the past weeks talking about our focus or having God’s kind of thinking. This morning I want to start a segment on “looking up”. Again, it has to do with our focus – what are we looking at or where do we put our trust?

Have you ever noticed when someone is depressed or insecure that they rarely look up? They don’t want to make eye contact, it’s a defense mechanism. And when a child has done something wrong, they find it hard to look you in the eye. Looking up, looking into someone’s face seems to make us vulnerable.

However, King David knew that in looking up he would find help.

“Many are saying of me, ‘There is no help for him in God.’ ³ But You, O Lord, are a covering around me, my shining-greatness, and the One Who lifts my head. ⁴ I was crying to the Lord with my voice. And He answered me from His holy mountain. ⁵ I lay down and slept, and I woke up again, for the Lord keeps me safe.” Psalm 3:2-5 NLV

God is the One who lifts our head.

Have you ever had one of your children or grandchildren come to ask you something but they wouldn’t look up? I have, and when that happened, I gently took their head in my hands and lifted their face so we could see eye to eye. I wanted them to see my love, I wanted to be able to wipe away their tears. I wanted them to know they were safe with me.

Look up.

I had someone tell me recently that it seemed their prayer time was filled with a laundry list of things they needed God to do but not much time to really talk to the Lord and listen for His voice. Once again, King David knew what that was like.

“Hear my words, O Lord. Think about my crying. ² Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God. For I pray to you. ³ In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my prayers before You and will look up.” Psalm 5:1-3

The impact of David’s statement is that he said he looks up to God for a reply. In another version of this verse it says, “Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply.(CEV)”

Looking up – looking to God for what we need is essential. Waiting for Him to reply is vital. He tells us to come boldly to Him for help and He will give it.

We won’t find the answers we need on the news or the talk shows. We will find the answers that have stood the test of time and have never failed when we look up. I can’t give you the specific answers for your questions, but God can – there’s not an issue that we will face in life that isn’t addressed in God’s word.

Trust the Holy Spirit to direct you as you read. Take time to talk with God each morning but more importantly take time to look up and wait for the answer.