APRIL 15

“And bear them up forever.”
(Psalms 28:9)

God’s people need to be uplifted. By nature, they carry many burdens. They lack the ability to rise on their own; if they have wings, they are like the dove of old that lays among the pots, needing divine grace to soar with wings that shine like silver and feathers of gold. While sparks naturally rise, the sinful souls of men tend to fall. O Lord, “lift them up forever!” David himself expressed this need when he said, “Unto thee, O God, do I lift up my soul,” acknowledging that not only should his own soul be lifted but also the souls of others.

When you seek this blessing for yourself, remember to request it for others as well. There are three key ways in which God’s people need to be lifted up:

1. Elevated in Character: O Lord, lift them up! Do not allow your people to resemble those of the world! The world is enveloped in wickedness, pursuing silver and gold and chasing after their own pleasures and desires. Instead, lift your people out of this mindset! Protect them from being “muck-rakers,” as John Bunyan described the ones who constantly dig for gold. Turn their hearts toward their risen Lord and their heavenly heritage!
2. Prospered in Conflict: In the battles they face, if they seem to falter, grant them victory, O Lord. Help them to wield the sword of the Spirit and ultimately triumph in their struggles. Lift up your children’s spirits during times of conflict; do not let them sit in the dust, mourning endlessly. Prevent the adversary from causing them distress. If they have endured persecution, like Hannah, allow them to sing of your mercy as a delivering God.
3. Uplifted at the Last: Lastly, we can ask our Lord to lift them up at the end of their journey. Lift them by taking them home, raising their bodies from the tomb, and welcoming their souls into your eternal kingdom of glory.