LIFTED UP
By Elder Larry Wise
We all fall into a condition at times where we are cast down and need to be lifted up and our spirits refreshed. There are ways this can be accomplished, according to the Bible. The Lord will lift up His people when their attitude is right. James tells us, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10). The Lord resists the proud but gives grace unto the humble; surely grace will lift us up. We sing the song, “Lift Me Up Above The Shadows” and rejoice that the Lord is able to “lift us up.” Our feet need to be planted on higher ground and lifted above the clouds of doubt where the pure sunshine is found. This blessing must come from above and not from beneath.
God’s throne of grace is ever open to the saints, but they must “lift up” something. David said, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2). When we look down, we fail to find the relief we need. Man’s natural tendency is to go down rather than up, but it is downward where we find everything that is earthy. It is upward where we find everything that is heavenly. Our hearts are overwhelmed by the trials of life, but there is higher ground than earthly trials. David once again says, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2-3). Jesus is the Rock of Ages cleft for us. The Lord hid Moses in the cleft of the Rock while His glory passed by and all this was because Moses had found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
We are told to bear one another’s burdens; however, each person must ultimately bear his own burden. We can initiate the process of being lifted up by looking in the proper direction; however, the Lord often uses other saints to help lift us up. Paul tells us in Heb. 12:12, “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;” Our hands and knees become weary in our Christian journey, but we are told to not be weary in well-doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. Paul said that no man liveth unto himself; everybody needs somebody at some point in time. Solomon said, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” (Eccl. 4:9-10). Sometimes it is not a question of “if we fall?” but “when we fall.” It is good to have someone to help bear our burdens. Of course we must realize that the greatest burden-bearer is the Lord Himself!
There were those who saw the apostle Paul in prison and how he remained steadfast in the faith, and it gave them great courage to speak the word of God with greater boldness. His faith strengthened others. Saints who have been lifted up and maintained the course lift up their fellow saints who witness their faithfulness. Paul and others were comforted by the good news delivered unto them by Timotheus of the faith and charity of the Thessalonians. Paul declares, “Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” (I Thess. 3:7-8). The Lord doesn’t change; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you. May we all be lifted up above the shadows and stand in the mountaintops of glory where we obtain a better view of King Jesus.
