August 2, 2018 - LOOKING UP

Day 214 - (Today’s Bible readings: Numbers 29:12-49; Psalm 32; John 11:28-44)

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.   (Psalm 121:1-2 ESV)

Where do you look for help when you find yourself in a pinch? Who do you reach out to when you need a helping hand?

Look in the direction of the One who invites to call on Him...

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”  (Psalm 51:15 ESV)

Later in the book of Psalms, David gives evidence that He did call upon the Lord as he declares:

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.   (Psalm 121:1-2 ESV)

Tomorrow I will be putting my life in the hands of strangers - nurses, surgeon, and others. While I do have confidence in medical professionals, my ultimate confidence mirrors David’s thoughts. When you are lying on your back, there is only one direction to look...up. And that’s good because it reminds us to look to the Lord at all times, especially in time of need.

The hymn writer gives voice to similar thoughts, thoughts focused on Jesus.

Lord Jesus, who dost love me, 
Oh, spread Thy wings above me 
And shield me from alarm!  
Though evil would assail me, 
Thy mercy will not fail me: 
I rest in Thy protecting arm. Amen.
(“Now Rest Beneath Night’s Shadow,” The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, #554 stz 5)

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!