Face-lifts and Heart-lifts
February 19, 2019 by Cheri Cowell
Filed under Daily Devotions, Life Topics
There are some days when there doesn’t seem to be an end to the bad news. A friend tells you of their child’s struggle with drugs, a co-worker discovers her husband has been cheating on her, a neighbor gets his pink slip at work, and your Mom calls to say your Dad’s doctor is sending him for more tests because he’s worried about something they saw on his x-ray today. Some days it seems like the world is coming apart. Overwhelmed, exhausted, and weary we come home to find there is no solace there, and so in our quiet we cry out to God. We cry out expecting an answer, but often there is only silence. We then begin to wallow in our despair. There is, however, a way out of this deep distress. What is it?
Asaph, the writer of Psalm 77, cried out to God because all he saw around him was despair. He details his torturous nights of seeking God and not being able to find him, or calling on his name, and hearing no response. It is not until verses 13-15 that Asaph’s tone changes. So what happened in that verse?
Until then the Psalm is filled with “I” statements. He is looking at his situation, how rough he has it, what can he do about these terrible things in his life or the lives of his friends. Then in verse 13 he switches to “You.” He moves his focus to God, what He has done, what He has promised and fulfilled, what He is capable of doing. Taking our eyes off our earthly problems and solutions, and placing them on God and His answers, always gives us a face-lift and a heart-lift.
PRAYER: Using Asaph’s model today, I express my deep distress over my own situations, those of others, and the cares of this world. I cry out to You, Oh God, and then as Asaph did, I turn my focus to remembering Your deeds, Your miracles, and Your faithfulness. I give You my face-lifted up, please give me in turn a heart-lift.
“And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings,” Psalm 77:10-12 KJV.
Today’s devotion is by Cheri Cowell, who writes and speaks on topics of Christian discipleship. In addition to her books and articles, you can learn about her speaking ministry and sign up to receive her daily devotional at www.CheriCowell.com
Cheri Cowell is the author of the new Bible study, Parables and Word Pictures of the New Testament: Following God series http://www.CheriCowell.com
That’s so true, Cheri. I’ve heard the expression somewhere that instead of looking inward (at our problems), we need to look upward. We do need to keep our mind focused on Him.
This is a great reminder. It is easy to get caught up in our own feelings and challenges, but looking to God and remembering others, too, are more important.