So true are the words of the familiar, encouraging song, “My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior Divine…” Christianity is certainly filled with its “mountain top moments” when the devil is on the run and the local congregation of which you are a part is a foretaste of heaven itself. “Mountain top moments” are when your health is great and your life has few noticeable negatives! However, conversely, there are times when each and every child of the King finds himself or herself in the proverbial valley of despair. Satan works hard every day to keep us in those valleys (1 Peter 5:8; Job 1:8ff). Ironically, it is during these times that one’s faith is purified (1 Peter 1:6-7) and perfected (James 1:2ff). However, during these times, it is also quite easy to become blurred in our spiritual vision. There are certain blessings attached to the one whose faith looks up to Thee (cf. Isaiah 26:3).
Firstly, faith that looks up to Thee has the blessing of prayer. No matter what valley we encounter, our God is always ready to listen (Psalm 4:1; 39:12; 65:2; 66:20; et al). To be able to “cast” all our heartaches on our Father is a blessing indeed (cf. 1 Peter 5:7)! However, “oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.” For faith that looks up to Thee, prayer is a blessing, so pray fervently!
Secondly, faith that looks up to Thee has the blessing of partnership. Often when we find ourselves in a deep, dark valley of trial, we sometimes feel as though we are alone. “Alone” may well be the scariest word in the English language! However, Paul reminds us that even when all others forsake us, we are not alone; “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me…” (2 Timothy 4:17a). We are truly never alone, as inspiration comforts, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5b). For faith that looks up to Thee, partnership is a blessing indeed!
Thirdly, faith that looks up to Thee has the blessing of promise. Life’s valleys, although difficult and trying, are limited in the “big scheme” of things. Life’s valleys cannot take away the promise of our reward! Jesus’ words to Christians in the midst of a dark valley were, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). For the faithful, our reward is certain! Life’s valleys cannot take away the Promise of rest! No matter how weary we become in this life, as we battle the physical, if we do not quit, Jesus promised that we one day will have, “…rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13b). What was said of Abraham is true of us as well, “after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:15b). For faith that looks up to Thee, promise is a great blessing.
There is no question as to whether trials and valleys will come, for they are assured (James 1:2), however, for faith that looks up to Thee, prayer, partnership and promise are assured as well! I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I certainly and surely know Who holds tomorrow! It is for that reason that we courageously sing, “My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior Divine …oh let me from this day be wholly Thine!”
