Looking Always To The Lord (Psa. 121:1-2) (Part 4)

Conclusion:

1. When the travelers lifted up their eyes to the mountains and considered their Maker, those people were inspired by His presence, permanence and power.

• The anxious saw the mountains and were reminded that the Lord is near (Psa. 46:1).
• The exhausted saw the mountains and were reminded that the Lord is strong (Isa. 40:28).
• The overwhelmed saw the mountains and were reminded that the Lord is high (Psa. 61:2).
• The lowly saw the mountains and were reminded that the Lord is great (Psa. 48:1).
• The finite saw the mountains and were reminded that the Lord is eternal (Psa. 90:2).

2. Since any time is the right time to lift up your eyes to the Maker of the mountains, you should look to Him right now. You will be inspired, as were those travelers, that the Lord is near, strong, great, high, and eternal. When you look up to the Lord, you are asking His help to come down. When you look up to the Lord, you show dependence, humility, reverence, trust and expectation.

To Heaven I lift mine eye,
To Heaven, Jehovah's throne,
For there my Savior sits on high,
And there shall strength and aid supply
To all He calls His own.*

3. Whatever your situation is this morning, look to the Lord and be reminded that He is your answer. Psa. 16:8 > “I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psa. 123:1 > “To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!” 

*John Bowdler, 1814

Looking Always To The Lord (Psa. 121:1-2) (Part 3)

1. YOU SHOULD LOOK TO THE LORD WHEN YOU WORK. You should look to the Lord in your sacred work and in your secular work.  Do you look to Him when you need that 'something extra' or don't know what to do?

2. YOU SHOULD LOOK TO THE LORD WHEN YOU WORRY. You should look to the Lord when you worry due to fear, lack or pressure.  You know you should look to Him, but do you?

3. YOU SHOULD LOOK TO THE LORD WHEN YOU WORSHIP. Don't get caught up with the form (majesty of the mountains) but with the power (Maker of the mountains).  This seems elementary, I know, but you would be amazed at how easily and quickly people get sidetracked during worship.

4. YOU SHOULD LOOK TO THE LORD WHEN YOU WANDER. You may wander from the mountains, but the mountains will still be there. You may wander from your Maker, but your Maker will still be there.  Lost?  Look up!

Looking Always To The Lord (Psa.121:1-2) (Part 2)

Introduction:

1. The experience of those travelers is similar to the experience of some Christians today. You're walking the path God charted for you and started the journey with great joy but, at some point, became weary. Mentally, you continued to believe that obedience is worth it. Step by step you plodded forward, inching closer to God's design. Emotionally, however, you became weary and depleted. Admittedly you were fatigued by disappointment, frustration, hurt, confusion and betrayal. (Yes, those are indeed obstacles you encounter as you walk in God's will.)  Then it happened – the moment came when you were reinvigorated by a surge of inspiration's pulsing through your being. God Himself made you aware of the strength that is gained by considering His presence, permanence and power.

2. What if you need renewed strength and inspiration today? In the next post(s), I want to answer this question: When should you look to the Lord? The answer is any time and all the time (You understand why I must limit my comments to four occasions.).

Looking Always To The Lord (Psa.121:1-2) (Part 1)

Background:

1. Travelers to Jerusalem, for the prescribed feasts, knew they were close when they saw the mountains that surrounded the city. The mountains cheered, “Don't quit now! You're almost there!”

2. Pilgrims who left home with joy and anticipation became weary at some point. Mentally, they understood that each step brought them closer to Jerusalem. Emotionally, they felt weary and drained as they continued doing the right things and following the prescribed course.

3. One day, when hearts were heavy and hope was all but erased, a random fellow in the caravan shouted, “There are the mountains!” The inner warfare between fact and feeling began to subside. Physical and spiritual weariness began to fade. Their destination was within sight.

4. Joy returned, as travelers were inspired by the presence and permanence of the mountains.