I Will Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills
by David Silvester
Apologies that yesterday`s devotional was cut short in the email. The full version can be found on the Seeds of the Kingdom website.
Whilst my wife and I were relaxing, sitting and admiring the splendour of the Lake District, and looking up to the mountains, the words of these verses came to mind, as I reflected on the strength and beauty of what we saw.
Those high mountains have been there from the day they were created, possibly many, many, thousands of years ago. They’ve withstood all the ravages of storms, rains, winter frost and snows, and all that our changeable weather could have inflicted upon them, and they remain proudly steadfast and secure.
This was a reminder of the stability and security we can experience, as we focus our minds and trust in the faithfulness of God’s love and care for us; love and care that doesn’t change with the seasons, or rely upon our faithfulness to Him.
Throughout life uncertainties surround and bombard us to such an extent that they can become alarming, and we cry out to God, “Help!” This is where the words of Psalm 50:15 can become so reassuring. God’s word says, ‘Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me’.
As I look back over the years I recognise times when we’ve been in desperate situations. We’ve cried out to the Lord for help, and He’s brought us through those times. But then there’s the challenge. Did we praise and glorify Him for His faithfulness at those times? Or did we simply take things for granted, and fail to give God the glory and praise?
Praise God, that despite our own shortcomings and lack of expressions of gratitude when He’s so obviously looked after us, He’s proved Himself to be as firm and secure as those mountains, in fact, even more so.
When this earth’s folded up and discarded, and He’s created the new heavens and earth, God will remain the same faithful and dependable God, as He’s always proved Himself to be.
So amid all the changing scenes and experiences of this life, we can securely rely upon the One who doesn’t change, and who encourages us to trust Him. We can call upon Him whenever we’re in a distressing situation. But let’s always remember to give Him the praise whenever we’ve experienced His help.
Prayer: Father God, I thank You for all those times I’ve experienced Your faithful love and care for me, for those times when You’ve intervened on my behalf, even before I’ve called for Your help. Forgive me for the times I’ve failed to praise and glorify You for helping me. Your loving care for me is wonderful and I thank You in Jesus’ name, Amen.
David Silvester is married and has a son, two daughters and eight grandchildren. He trained as a production engineer. He then moved on to become a lecturer of engineering craft skills before being called of God in his early fifties to become a pastor of a Baptist church. He says that,"having previously experienced an amazing healing on a day others expected me to die, it came as no surprise that God directed me and my wife, Margaret, to become involved with Ellel Ministries."
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