Keep looking up!

My friend Jim frequently ends his emails with “Keep looking up.”  I like it.  Jim is a naturally optimistic guy so no doubt these three words are an encouragement to maintain a positive attitude.  But he also walks with God.  Beyond optimism, this phrase points us to God.

“Looking up” is the perspective of the Bible.  God is portrayed as the creator of heaven, as dwelling in heaven, and the heavens encompass everything over which He reigns.  

The phrase “God of heaven” succinctly summarizes all three of these thoughts.  The Biblical authors say it better than I ever could.  
 

Acknowledge and take to heart this day
that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
There is no other. (Deut. 4:39 NIV)

To the LORD your God belong the heavens,
even the highest heavens,
the earth and everything in it. (Deut. 10:14 NIV)

 In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called to my God.
From his heavenly temple He heard my voice;
He listened to my cry for help. (2 Sam. 22:7 NET)

The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people,
and God heard them,
for their prayer reached heaven,
His holy dwelling place. (2Chron. 30:27 NIV)

You alone are the LORD.
You made the heavens,
even the highest heavens,
and all their starry host,
the earth and all that is on it,
the seas and all that is in them.
You give life to everything,
and the multitudes of heaven worship You. (Neh. 9:6 NIV)


This is not to suggest for a moment that God is distant and aloof, that He is far away -  “up there” somewhere.  In the mindset of the ancient peoples who surrounded Israel, the “gods” lived in inaccessible places and were relatively unaware  (and unconcerned) what the mortals were doing.  But Israel’s God - our God - is different.  All of creation is in His presence.  He is aware.  He is engaged.  He is enthroned.

God is in heaven.  We are in His presence.  Keep looking up!

Graham Bulmer
Lead Pastor
graham@q50community.com
Graham and Sharon Bulmer bring many years of pastoral, teaching, leadership development and administrative experience to the Q50 Community Church plant. They served in Latin America as missionaries for almost 15 years, and have pastored here in Canada.