Why is it that so many of our sayings have to do with looking down? We say he is, “keeping his nose to the grindstone.” We tell our kids, “Keep your head down and focus on your work.” Or another one, “Buckle down and get to work!”
We also describe negative things we say to each other in downward terms such as, “put downs,” or “take downs.” We even use low words to talk about our sad feelings: “feeling low,” or “let down.”
All of these things are the exact opposite of how God describes Himself in the Bible. Isn’t that usually the way it is? The world has one way and God’s way is completely different. In Psalm 3:3 it says that God lifts our heads high. In James 4:10 the Bible tells us that if we humble ourselves before the Lord He will lift us up; again, opposite of what the world says, which is, if we are humble, we will be low and walked on. One of my favorite encouraging chapters in the book of Psalms includes the sentence, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (Psalm 40:2)
God doesn’t want us going around with our heads hanging down. He wants to lift us up out of whatever we are going through whether it is shame, rejection, discouragement, or a whole other list of possibilities. He is wanting to gently put His hand under our chins, lift our heads and tell us to look at Him. He wants us to, “find delight in the Almighty and look up to God.” Job 22:26
Leave a Reply