Where can we turn our gaze?
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Transcript
Intro
Intro
A song of ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Death. Death is feared by all of us especially because it takes someone who belongs to us, it grabs forever what is dearest to us.
Today the passing of our dear Sister Elia De Blasio leaves a deep void in all those who had the privilege of loving her.
Although we know that our beloved sister is now in the presence of the Lord enjoying His sweet presence, death has taken away her presence, her affection, her counsel, her voice.
This condition is new to us, and it leaves us defenseless and perhaps even afraid of how to face life without her.
That is why, I want to use the rhetorical question of Psalm 121 to encourage all of us to look to the Lord.
Yes, there are 4 directions in which we can look and be reassured because of the presence of God.
N.1 - Look Up-His Overshadowing Wings
N.1 - Look Up-His Overshadowing Wings
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
A. We don’t always look in the right places
B. We look to God and find Him sufficient
N.2 - Look Down-His Everlasting Arms
N.2 - Look Down-His Everlasting Arms
The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemies before you,
saying, ‘Destroy them!’
The Father’s hands are strong enough, capable enough, competent enough to lift you out of the pain you are in.
N.3 - Look Around-God’s People
N.3 - Look Around-God’s People
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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,
We do not have to face grief alone, but we can rely on the presence, comfort and encouragement of God’s children.
Just as Naomi had Ruth, who encouraged and supported her during her grief, today the Holy Spirit invites you to look around and enjoy the help and comfort you can receive from your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
N.4 - Look Inside-God’s peace
N.4 - Look Inside-God’s peace
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
It may also happen that, although you look in all directions, you cannot see help.
At that point, we have no choice but to look inside ourselves, at the work that Christ has accomplished in our hearts, through which we can enjoy his peace despite the loss of a loved one.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Everywhere you turn to look, know that God is there, ready to encourage your heart. The wings of God, the hands of God, the children of God, the peace of God.
