Stooped Down and Lifted Up

 

How our circumstances seem at times to gather about us, to climb upon our head or shoulders and to weigh us down so that we cannot even contemplate taking another step!  So many things in life may cause us that “heaviness of heart” to which the text refers.  Such “heaviness” is an experience that we share in common with one another.

There is that heaviness of heart which exists because of sin.  The soul lying under the weight of unconfessed sin cannot in any way uplift himself.  There is that heaviness which comes because of a hope that has been long deferred until the heart is sick.  When hope in the salvation of a loved one, hope in the coming of revival, hope in the fulfillment of some promise, hope in alteration of some intolerable situation is not satisfied, then the heart can stoop very low to the ground.  There is that heaviness that comes because we are seeking the Lord to reveal His will unto us; yet we cannot see the way clearly, though long we wait.  The resolution to such “heart stooping” is “a good word.”

There is no better word than God’s Word, applied unto our stooping hearts.  That will make us glad as nothing else can.  The good word of the cleansing for us provided by the blood of Christ is enough to gladden our sin burdened heart.  The good word that God will keep all His promises to us is enough to gladden our heart when other hope is gone.  The good word that He will guide us every step of our pilgrim journey is enough to gladden our heart when we cannot see the way before us. When our hearts stoop we see only the earth, and earthly things.

When the “good word” comes home to our souls, we are lifted up to behold our God, who still reigns; our Christ who saves, who keeps, who intercede; and our Holy Spirit, who comforts and instructs. Is your heart stooping today because of some heaviness?  Let this be the uplifting of it. God’s “good word” is for you.  Christ, the Loving Word; the Bible, the written word; the promises, the applied word are all for you today.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice