Up!

Psalm 122:1,4 - I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD." Where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to the Testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

It's always "up" with God. This Old Testament verse today it might read: Where the children of God go up to hear the preaching of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and give Him thanks.

Because He is greater we are to bow before Him. We look up to Him for our trust and faith. He is seated on high and knows all that goes on below. Even as we seek Him our attitude and character will be "up." Yet God tells us that He will bring everything that we try to place above Him down. 

Some will not consider Him. Instead they will look to themselves as great:

Their land is also full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is also full of horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. (Isaiah 2:7-8) 

God has a word for that.

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up—and it shall be brought low— (Isaiah 2:11-12)

God also tells us that we are to look to Him in times of trial, not to look to man or government, composed of mere men. ...“O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2Chronicles 20:6,12)

There could very well come a day when we cannot understand anymore what this world is coming to. For those who know Christ, we recognize the signs. It's why we look to Him now...always. Our silver, gold, power, name, status means nothing. None of our stuff will satisfy, protect or save. Only staying focused and trusting in Him. Looking up. All these things will be brought low. In our personal lives and in this world. 

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. (Micah 4:1)

We are told to look up because our redemption draws near. God brings us up out of the miry clay. He will seat us with Him up in heavenly places if we draw near to Him and receive Him as Lord and Savior. Everything points up to Him. And rightly so. One day He will be recognized by all. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10). He will. And all will bow before Him, believers and unbelievers alike.

What's the difference between a believer and unbeliever? A believer is one who has confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: only if one believes in something can one act purposefully. In other words, one whose confidence, existence and reliability is in God, is a believer. It's our attitude toward God and faith in Him. It is our relationship with Him. We need that relationship, not our religious beliefs. So, an unbeliever has no real relationship, no trust or faith in God, but perhaps in themselves, man. Harsh words but true.

Believers will soar on eagles' wings with God. But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31). God isn't promising an easy ride while we live on earth; but if we stand steadfast, run the race with endurance, we will receive the prize in the end...eternal life with Christ. 

Even above the mountain tops is where God resides. 

His foundation is in the holy mountains. (Psalm 87:1)  The mountains are only the foundation! The world is His footstool. His throne of grace is higher than we can imagine. Everything beneath Him that is not of Him will be consumed. For behold, the LORD is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. The mountains will melt under Him, and the valleys will split like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place. (Micah 1:3-4) 

I love how the Old Testament so strongly builds us up to the New Testament's coming of Christ and how He fits into this picture of hope and salvation. It is through Christ that we will not be added to the judgment and consumption He will bring. But we need to know Him. We need that relationship, not the ritual of paying attention just on Sunday but every day. We need His Word every day. We need communion with Him every day. This is a true believer. Not rote prayers, but our own words spoken each day to Him. Let us look up, go up now. Rise above the junk of the world, think on the things that are worthy and receive the things of heaven. Personally seek Him.

Isaiah 2:11-12 - The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up—and it shall be brought low—