Monday August 19, 2024
Lift Your Eyes!
By Jenny Pfister
Have you ever noticed while walking through your everyday life that you are walking with your head hanging down and your shoulders slumped? I have caught myself several times hanging my head as I walk, and it is not a good feeling. During those times, I am in deep thought, discouraged, or full of worry. You actually feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.
I’ve noticed this lately…especially in today’s dark and troubled world. When people are in despair, shy or unsure of themselves, they rarely look up or make eye-contact with you. Their aim is to pass by without being noticed. The last thing they want is to see or be seen. Fixing their eyes on the floor is safety for their soul. David was such a man.
David was probably having doubts about himself, about the validity of his calling, about his capacity to rule, about his worth as a man. This Psalm tells of David’s reaction when his favorite son, Absalom, tries to take the throne. The story goes…when Ammon raped his half-brother Absalom’s sister, King David did nothing about this crime; he administered no punishment. Absalom was angry and avenged the wrong done to his sister. Later, Absalom rebelled against his father, and he won the heart of many of the men of Israel as he formed a conspiracy to take the throne. A battle ensued. Absalom died, hung by his own hair.
You would expect King David to be gloomy and depressed, but the opposite was true. He was not in bondage to the trouble he was in. He expected the Lord to be the “lifter up of his head.” He knew this truth:
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises up those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. (Ps.146:8 NKJV)
David was completely free from fear. This verse shows David’s faith during his time of trouble. The word trouble as used here means, “like a pebble in one’s shoe, a narrow or tight place, the crowding of an adversary, distress and anguish.”
“To lift one’s head” refers to restoration to one’s former place (to rulership). The term lift up comes from the Hebrew word ruhm which means, “to raise up or build a house, to cause a plant to grow by watering it, to place someone in a safe place.” That safe place is God Himself!
For a sovereign to “lift one’s head” is a sign of acceptance. A person would not raise their eyes to look at a great king; their eyes and head should be bowed low until the king gives them permission to “lift their head.” For example, in (Gen.40:13) Joseph interprets the cup-bearer’s dream to mean that in three days’ time the Pharaoh will “lift up his head” and restore him (Joseph) to his position. (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of dream)
Some of you know exactly how David felt. In your case, it may have been a stinging defeat, an embarrassing failure, or perhaps a public humiliation that you fear has forever destroyed your usefulness or your value to God or a place in His purposes. It’s a devastating feeling. The enemy will often exploit the opportunity by reminding you of virtually every sin you’ve committed, reinforcing the painful conviction that you are now beyond recovery, hopelessly helpless, a stain on the public face of the church.
Psalm 35:14 NKJV says, “I bowed down heavily,” and Psalm 38:6 NKJV says, “I am bowed down greatly.” Problems come in many different shapes and sizes. It might be physical setbacks, financial struggles, the loss of a friend, family conflicts, ministry disappointments, betrayals, etc. Those problems can cause our heads to hang low, both figuratively and literally.
David knew the One who would be able to lift up his head from despair. Should we not also turn to Him and trust Him to be the lifter of our heads? Sometimes we forget that He is the primary source of our encouragement. When circumstances cause our heads to stoop, we can turn to God and know that He can lift us up, enable us to rejoice, and we can find courage and hope in Him.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Ps.121:1-2 NIV)
When problems arise and the cares of this world are attacking us, remember that God is in control. We can stand tall, throw our shoulders back, and hold our heads up in confidence knowing that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. In my trouble, God is the lifter of my head.
Lift up your eyes! When you stumble, God has a new plan for you to follow.
Lift up your eyes! You have mission given to you by the Creator of the universe.
Lift up your eyes! The Holy One has great plans for you.
Lift up your eyes! Your Father calls us to His glory and goodness.
Lift up your eyes! There are no great visions on the ground at your feet!
To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters; As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress; So our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us. (Ps.123:1-2)
Growing up, my mother had hung a plaque that happened to be right next to my chair at the kitchen table. Most every time I sat down, I glanced at it and eventually committed it to memory. It was a sweet reminder of God’s promise. Today, it is in my kitchen. It reads,
“Take a moment to look upward when the morning’s just begun. Looking down you’ll see just shadows, looking up you’ll see the Son.”
