Look UP!

I subscribe to a daily devotional blog, Grace Gems (which I HIGHLY recommend-http://gracegems.org/), that is beyond encouraging. Each morning I read something that challenges, encourages, or reminds me through the precious Word of God. Recently, I received a devotion from the Puritan James Smith called "New Year's Motto"...a fitting title for the reminder He provided through the Word.

Smith began with this verse:"Look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!" Luke 21:28

This precious reminder served as an encouragement and yet convicting exhortation to me as I mulled over the devo. I found myself recognizing how often I look back or I look forward or I even look in the moment instead of looking UP...looking UP at the precious Savior, the perfect One, the sovereign God, and trusting Him!

The year will be full of trials, testings, blessings, gifts, challenges, and much sanctification and yet in it all, the hope I have will never change although many things will. In whatever circumstance I might find myself in, I must continue to look UP. I must look UP to find peace, look UP to find grace, look UP to find love, look UP to find mercy, look UP to find direction, look UP to find satisfaction. For it is He who is guiding, He who is working, He who is protecting and providing, therefore why would I ever look anywhere else.

In whatever state, in whatever place, into whatever condition we may be brought this year--let us seek grace to follow our Lord's loving advice, and "look up!"

Do not look back--as Lot's wife did.

Do not look within--as too many do.

Do not look around--as David did.

But "look up!" Look up to God--He is your Father, your Friend, your Savior. He can help you. He will help you. He says, "Look unto Me, and be delivered--for I am God!"

My prayer is the same for each of us- that we would LOOK UP this year as we continue to run the race to win the prize that will far outweigh everything this earth has to offer!