LIKE A BURROWING MOLE OR A SOARING EAGLE?

"In worshipping God we must lift up our souls to Him. Prayer is the ascent of the soul to God; God must be eyed and the soul employed. Sursum corda - Up with you hearts, was anciently used as a call to devotion. With a holy contempt of the world and the things of it, by a fixed thought and active faith, we must set God before us, and let out our desires towards Him as the fountain of our happiness."

"He who is content with the husks will be reckoned with the swine. If we suck our consolation from the breasts of the world, we prove ourselves to be its home-born children. Does the world satisfy thee? Then thou hast thy reward and thy portion in this life; make much of it, for thou shalt know no other joy."

- both quotes are from Matthew Henry


The Bible speaks of "lifting up the soul." However, it is important to note that it speaks of "lifting up the soul" either "unto God" or "unto vanity."

First of all, what does it mean to "lift up the soul"?

It means that one sets his affections or heart upon an object... earnestly and vehemently desires after something...makes strenuous efforts to obtain it...bends his whole powers to that end...or has his soul roused to one great and strenuous effort.

So, if a person "lifts up his soul unto the Lord," then he is said to turn from earthly themes and draw nigh to God with a true heart - while leaving all cares and fears behind...pant after, thirst for, and desire Jesus...set his heart and affections upon Him... and put forth strong efforts to find Him.

On the other hand, if this same person begins to "lift up his soul unto vanity," he then begins to set his heart upon the vain or false things of this world - riches, honors, and profits. He begins to show idolatrous inclinations toward the things of this world - giving them top priority in his life over God. He also begins to find his happiness in carnal pleasures rather than the things of God.

In Psalm 25, David indirectly described the man who was "lifting up his soul" unto the Lord God. He is a man who has a true confidence in his God - "O my God, I trust in Thee" (Psalm 25:2). In all his duties, trials, and hopes for the future, his reliance is on God alone. He is never disappointed for he always finds Him to be a reliable helper and friend - "let me not be ashamed" (Psalm 25:2). He is not overcome by spiritual foes - "let not mine enemies triumph over me" (Psalm 25:2). Because he is depending upon the Lord and looking to Him for daily grace, he is never overcome by sin nor does he ever fall under the power of temptation - "Yea, let none that wait on Thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause" (Psalm 25:3). He is taught in the ways, paths, and truth of the Lord - having perfect understanding of his duty...knowing what the Lord would have him to do...being led more and more into all truth...and being wholly under His direction and government - "Show me Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me" (Psalm 25:4-5).

Because this man chooses to "lift up his soul unto the LORD" rather than "unto vanity," David further described him in Psalm 86:4 as one whose life is filled with spiritual blessings and whose heart is made to rejoice - "Rejoice the soul of Thy servant: for unto Thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul." In Psalm 143:8, he again depicted him as one who is able to hear the voice of the Lord bringing "Good News" - lovingkindness, mercy, and favor - his way. He is also able to detect the right way - in order to escape his enemies and get out of danger... the path of faith... and the way of righteousness, holiness, and God's commandments - "Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee."

A perfect example of one who "lifted up his soul unto the LORD" and not "unto vanity" was King Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 17:6 says that "his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD." In other words, his soul was bent and set upon the Lord and the fulfillment of His will for his life. Because this was so, we find Jehoshaphat "strengthening himself" against his enemies ... "walking in the first ways of his father David" ... renouncing all Balaam worship ... "seeking to the LORD God of his father" ... "walking in His commandments, and not after the doings of Israel" ... and taking away "the high places and groves out of Judah" (2 Chronicles 17:1-6). Indeed, he turned from earthly themes to draw nigh to God with a true heart.

In closing, re-read the earlier quote from Pastor Henry - "He who is content with the husks will be reckoned with the swine. If we suck our consolation from the breasts of the world, we prove ourselves to be its home-born children. Does the world satisfy thee? Then thou hast thy reward and thy portion in this life; make much of it, for thou shalt know no other joy."

Are you "born for heaven" or a "home-born" child?

That all depends on whether or not you are "lifting up your soul unto the Lord" or "unto vanity"?

One more thing - according to this message, should we consider you to be more like "a burrowing mole" or "a soaring eagle"?

May God Bless His Word,
Connie

© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved

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