The Upward Look - No. 130

Revelation 4: 11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

I’m still enjoying this car ride and beholding the beauty of the winter trees. Now that I can see all their branches, I see that they are stretching outwards and upwards - mostly upwards towards their Maker – reaching out in praise to the One who created them.

God created all things for His pleasure – all of His creation, and especially mankind, who is His highest creation. All creation was created to praise Him. Once again, we learn a lesson from the trees. We should always be looking up and stretching out our arms in praise to Him, who alone is worthy.

This afternoon I was at my sister’s home. Beautiful music played softly in the background. Suddenly we recognized the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel’s Messiah. We turned up the volume to the absolute maximum! The anointed music filled the room. We rose, and without thinking about it, automatically raised our arms in praise to the One who is King of kings and Lord and lords and who will reign for ever and ever.

May we be saved from looking downwards and taking our eyes off the Lord. Every branch reaches upwards to the Lord, the Sun of righteousness.  Like the trees, keep looking up. Get into the habit of raising your heart and soul to the Lord. And yes, your arms too. Throw away all your inhibitions. You were born to praise Him. You were born to raise your arms towards Him. You were born to fix your heart and gaze upon Him.

Raise your hands to Him in praise. Raise your arms to Him when you are crying out for His mercy and for answers to your prayers. As I look at the trees now, I see that not only each branch, but each tiny twig is reaching upwards to the Lord. Turn everything in your life to Him – your thoughts, yearnings, cries, hurts, sorrows, and your praise and thanks.

Reach out to the heavens. With upward look and lifted arms your vision will enlarge. You will see things you have never seen before. You will view life from a different vantage point.

Join with David and cry out, “Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 25:1)

Again in Psalm 63:4, “I will lift up my hands in thy name.”

And for your children, “Lift up your hands to Him for the life of your little ones…” (Lamentations 2:19)

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Thank you, Lord, that I can praise you along with all your creation. Help me to be like the trees that are always turned to you in praise and adoration. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

Further Study:

Nehemiah 8:6; Psalm 28:2; 86:4; 119:48; 121:1-2; 123:1; 134:2; 141:2; 143:8; Isaiah 40:26; Lamentations 3:41; Luke 21:28; 1 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 12:2