Look Up and Forward

Dear Friends,

The other morning I was listening to my Bible In One Year app and was faced with this question:

'Where is the first place you look when you are in trouble or don’t know what to do? Do you look to friends, family, or the medical profession?'
Of course, there is nothing wrong in looking for help in all those directions, but the first place the Psalmist looks is upwards.
 
"I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep." Psalm 121 (The Message)

Then I read Nicky Gumble's encouragement, "Regret looks back, fear looks around, worry looks in, but faith looks up and hope looks forward." I like that thought.
Can I encourage you to let the words from that Psalm reshape the circumstances of your day? The strength you need doesn't come from any earthly force but from God. He's watching over you and won't let you stumble. If you are frustrated with something or someone, root yourself in this Psalm today.

Romans 8:34 says, "Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

May you sense some encouragement too as you look to the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, with all you have going on in your world.
Please send me your prayer requests.

Looking up and forward,

Derek+