Look up! A New Year’s Motto by James Smith,1865

“Look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!” Luke 21:28

We are entering a new year. We shall have new toils, new trials, new temptations, and new troubles. Therefore, in whatever state, in whatever place, into whatever condition we may be brought this year, let us seek grace to follow our Lord’s loving advice, and “look up!“

Do not look back, as Lot’s wife did. Do not look within, as too many do. And do not look around, as David did.

But rather, “look up!” Look up to God who is your Father, your Friend, your Savior. He can help you and He will help you. He says, “Look unto Me, and be delivered, for I am God!”

Look up for light to guide you!

And God will direct your path.

Look up for grace to sanctify you!

And the grace of Jesus will be found sufficient for you.

Look up for strength to enable you to do and suffer God’s will.

And His strength will be made perfect in your weakness.

Look up for comfort to cheer you!

And as one whom his mother comforts, so will the Lord comfort you.

Look up for courage to embolden you!

And the Lord will give courage to the faint; and to those who have no might, He will increase strength.

Look up for endurance to keep you!

And the God who preserves you will enable you quietly to bear the heaviest burden, and silently to endure the most painful affliction.

Look up for providence to supply you!

And the jar of flour will not be used up, and the jug of oil will not run dry; but God shall supply all your needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Look up in

• Faith, exercising confidence in the Word of a faithful God.
• Prayer, asking for what God has graciously promised.
• Hope, expecting what you ask in the name of Jesus.

Look up with adoration!

And adore the sovereignty, righteousness, and wisdom of God.

Look up constantly! 

And let nothing daunt or discourage you! Rather say, “Our eyes are on the Lord our God, until He shows us mercy.”

Look up, for this will keep your head from swimming, your heart from sinking, your knees from trembling, your feet from slipping, and your hands from hanging down!

It is impossible to say what will happen to us, or what will be required of us this year.  But “Look up!” This direction, if properly attended to, will procure for us all that we need, secure us against all that we dread, and make us more than a match for all our foes and fears!

Fellow-Christians

Are you fearful? “Look up” and hear Jesus saying to you, “Do not be afraid, I Myself will help you!”

Are you discouraged? “Look up” and your youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s, and fresh light, comfort, and courage shall be given to you!

Are you desponding? “Look up” for Jesus never breaks the bruised reed, nor quenches the smoking flax.

Do not look too much at your sin.

But look at the infinitely meritorious blood of God’s dear Son!

Do not look too much at self.

But look at Jesus who ever lives to make intercession for you in Heaven.

Are you stripped of your comforts, your props, and your goods? Then look up! He who stripped you, loves you! He will be more than all of these to you! And He will bind up your broken heart, calm your discouraged spirit, cheer your drooping mind, and fill you with His own peace and happiness.

Look up for all that you need, from all that you fear, through all that would obstruct your way. And look up every day, saying with David, “In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You, and will look up!” Psalm 5:3

Look up in every trial, saying “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help! My help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth!” Psalm 121:1-2

Do not look at:

• your sin, it will discourage you!
• your self, it will distress you!
• Satan, he will bewilder you!
• men, they will deceive or disappoint you!
• your trials, they will deject you!

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!” Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, look only, look always, look intently–to Jesus!

Run looking, work looking, fight looking, suffer looking, live looking, and die looking–unto Jesus, who is at God’s right hand in glory!

Oh, look, look, look to Jesus!