Looking Up

Recently we saw a sign which said “Some people only look up when they are flat on their backs”. From a purely physical point of view that’s about right. How many people look up to God when things are going well? Unfortunately very few, it has always been like this. The children of Israel are an outstanding example of how easy it is to forget God in good times. Over and over again the Jews became puffed up when they became prosperous. Then God would punish them in some way.

We are living in exceedingly prosperous times, the poorest among us are rich in comparison to those of our great grandparents, most of us have plumbing water, gas, electricity etc., which are taken for granted. As a result our lives have become softer and we want more and more things, but what has happened to our hearts? Do we think we are better than our forefathers? Elijah confessed that he was not, neither are we and recognising this will help in acknowledging our blessings that come from God, the giver of every good and perfect gift, or are we puffed up with pride of the things we own?

Remember the sin of Hezekiah? He lost practically everything, even to the cutting off of the gold of the doors of the temple to give to Shalmaneser, because he boasted of his possessions. However, God rescued him by miraculously destroying the Assyrian army and then other countries brought him gifts and presents, so that once again Hezekiah had exceeding much riches, then we are told “Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart” (2Chron 32:25-26). We must never forget everything we have has come from God. Job said “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away – blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21-22). God can open the windows of heaven and pour out His blessings if He wills.

When trouble and adversity comes, it is also allowed by God. “For whom the Lord loveth he chastises” and we must as it were flatten ourselves on our backs and look up to God. The key is to always be looking up, to pray without ceasing and not wait until God flattens us on our backs before we turn to Him. If we truly place our lives in His hands and allow Him first place in our hearts then we shall receive a hundredfold in due course.

Bro Moses Komanya

Bro Moses Komanya (Mwanza, Tanzania)