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In the Midst of Life Struggles: Look Upby Debbie McDaniel
"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where
shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
There’s
so much in this life we can start to feel anxious about, even when we know
God’s truth and believe that He’s in control.
It
can still be a daily battle in our hearts, in our minds.
When
we just keep looking all around us, we can easily get defeated. Drained.
Impatient. Cynical.
We
may find ourselves wrestling with worry. Fear might creep in.
We
lose our focus because we're so distracted on all the things that can never
really give us strength and hope anyway.
People
won’t ever be the answer for our every need.
Money,
possessions, or success can’t ever satisfy the void deep inside that only God
can fill.
This
world will never be free of all conflict.
The
government won’t ever fix all of our problems. It can’t. Because no matter who
is President, no matter what we face in this life, God’s still on the throne.
5
Reminders of Hope from Psalm 121:
- "My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven
and earth." verse
2
He's All-powerful. God is a mountain mover and Creator of
heaven and earth. He's with us, always. He breathes help and strength into our
souls, into our day.
- "He will not allow your foot to slip; He who
keeps you will not slumber." verse 3
He won't allow us
to fall. We may find ourselves on slippery slopes, or the path we're walking
seems to be full of potholes and obstacles.
But the God who
knows all, knows our way.
And even when we
stumble, as our eyes are fixed on Him, He will keep our footsteps firm. For He
watches over us and never sleeps or slumbers.
- "The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your
shade on your right hand." verse
5
He keeps us, safe,
in His care. He protects us like the shade protects from the heat of the day.
Why the "right
hand?"
Because it is
known as the hand that works, so we can be assured that whatever He's given us
to do in this life, His covering of protection rests over all of our work and
efforts.
- "The Lord will protect you from all evil; He
will keep your soul." verse 7
He protects us
from "all evil," not some, but "all."
It does not have
the final say over our lives. Fear of death, disease, and hardship has lost its
sting, for our lives are hidden with Christ in God.
No matter who or
what we're rubbing shoulders with each day, God's power is greater than
whatever darkness we might face.
For He is the
soul-keeper and He holds all of our tomorrows.
- "The Lord will guard your going out and your
coming in from this time forth and forever." verse 8
He watches over
us, constantly, His eyes are towards us. He cannot look away from those He
loves.
He watches our
coming and our going, and all in between. He watches over our family and
children, even when we cannot see.
We do not have to
worry, for He strongly supports those whose hearts are His.
Intersecting Faith & Life: It often comes down to a choice.
Let’s
choose, no matter what swirls around us, to set our eyes on God.
For
if He made all of heaven and earth surely, He has a Sovereign, incredible plan,
for you and for me.
He
knows our way in this journey of life, and He’s a “with us” God.
Keep
remembering today: Look up.
He
alone is where our hope is found!
Further Reading:
Psalm 121:1-8
2 Chronicles 16:9
Matthew 28:20
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor’s
wife, and dramatist, whose heart is to encourage others and share hope from
God’s word in the daily grind of life. Her soulful, genuine approach to
communicating truth inspires others to live each day with the fresh awareness
of God’s presence and joy.
Over the years, Debbie has written numerous
articles for a variety of family, community, and Christian websites and
publications. In addition to being a featured writer and blogger at
Crosswalk.com, her articles have appeared at iBelieve, Christianity.com, Bible
Study Tools, Godvine, Incourage, Thriving Family, Focus on the Family, Family
Share, To Save a Life, FISH radio nationwide networks, and local community and
church publications.
Crosswalk.com, an online Christian
living magazine, is brought to you by a group of writers, editors and content
producers seeking to provide applicable, educational and entertaining content
to followers of Jesus Christ regardless of where they are in their respective
spiritual journeys.
We believe that the Christian faith isn’t just for Sunday mornings in church; our faith informs every issue we face every day of the week. We want to provide content to people who are seeking to determine what living Christianity day-to-day means in their own lives.
Our goals at Crosswalk.com are to encourage and challenge you, to help you worship and help you think, to give you practical application of Scripture as well as positive shared testimonies and honest struggles. We strive to provide timely information on everything from Marriage, Parenting and Family issues, to Bible Study, Prayer, Spiritual Growth and Devotionals, to current events and a Christian look at popular culture, always within an overarching framework of evangelical Christian orthodoxy.
We believe that the Christian faith isn’t just for Sunday mornings in church; our faith informs every issue we face every day of the week. We want to provide content to people who are seeking to determine what living Christianity day-to-day means in their own lives.
Our goals at Crosswalk.com are to encourage and challenge you, to help you worship and help you think, to give you practical application of Scripture as well as positive shared testimonies and honest struggles. We strive to provide timely information on everything from Marriage, Parenting and Family issues, to Bible Study, Prayer, Spiritual Growth and Devotionals, to current events and a Christian look at popular culture, always within an overarching framework of evangelical Christian orthodoxy.
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