You Raise Me Up, Selah

In the Bible, there are many examples of the Lord raising up his people: Job, Naomi, Joseph, Gideon, David, Daniel, Esther, Mary, Elizabeth, Moses, the disciples, and the prophets. That was long ago, but God is still at work with His people.

male rufous-sided towhee

Today, Almighty God is still lifting us up as a parent picks up a fallen child. I can think of specific instances when He has spoken through circumstances to bolster up my broken heart. A week after my husband and I had lost one of our twins before birth, to console myself, I was carefully spending time out in the yard weeding in the mulch. I spied a little bird, a rufous-sided towhee, very close to my side, working the mulch with this back and forth shuffle they have when hunting bugs. It seemed oblivious to my presence. It stayed close; it was keeping me company. My moving did not scare it away. I had been praying and giving a sacrifice of praise in tears as I worked, and for two days there, off and on, this little bird came to work the mulch by my side when I came out. Just at the time I felt the presence of the Lord sustaining me, encouraging me, I could find the industrious bird no more. I marveled at the kindness of the Creator to send something that meant so much to me as that little bird.

"As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103: 13-14

Lyrics:
When I am down and oh, my soul so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

There is no life, no life without its hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when You come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
(You raise me up, I can stand on mountains)
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
(Walk on stormy seas)

And I am strong when I am on Your shoulders
Oh, you raise me up to more than I can be
You raise me up to more than I can be

Supporting Scripture:
“But if I go to the east, he is not there;

if I go to the west, I do not find him.

When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;

when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.

But he knows the way that I take;

when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

My feet have closely followed his steps;

I have kept to his way without turning aside.

I have not departed from the commands of his lips;

I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." Job 23:8-12

"And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom " for the sake of his people Israel." 2 Samuel 5:12

"So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”Ruth 4:14-15

For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:14

"Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s" Psalm 103: 2-5