I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes To The Hills
“I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help.”—Psalm 121:1
The most comforting subject to a spiritual mind, the most delightful object to a spiritual eye, is God in Christ, reconciled to us—‘not imputing our trespasses unto us.’ The hills afford us a pleasing idea of Jesus: they are elevated parts of the same earth as the lowest valley, so Jesus being found in fashion as a man, took on him the same nature, and was in all things like unto his brethren, sin only excepted. Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, even the precious name of Jesus the Saviour. We can never dwell too much upon the human form and humble appearance of Jesus, while we entertain the most exalted ideas of his eternal power and Godhead. He bore our sins, and carried our sorrows; all our help is laid upon him, all our hope is in him, and our help cometh from him. And for the encouragement of faith, his word assures us of his love towards sinners, and his power to help them.
Soldiers of Christ, what is your chief business on earth but to glorify God? What your daily work, but ‘to fight the good fight of faith, and to lay hold on eternal life?’ This is our calling; the light of another day is vouchsafed us, yet whither can we turn our eyes, but enemies surround us on every side. Yea, from within as well as from without. And can we experience safety, or walk in comfort, except while our eyes are up to Jesus? He is entered into heaven, ‘to appear in the presence of God for us,’ and now he says to us, ‘Look unto me, and be ye saved.’ Is. 45:22.
The sight of sin that dwelleth in us causeth dejection; looking to our own righteousness and fancied excellence, begets pride and vain confidence; the power and subtilty of that malicious spirit, the prince of the power of the air, is enough to make one tremble. This present evil world, with its honours, profits and pleasures, is exactly suited to our carnal nature. Who can withstand its smiles, renounce its carnal children, and bear their reproaches. Who is proof against these potent adversaries. Verily, with all knowledge received, all inherent grace, all past experience, we shall not be able to stand, if we are not continually lifting up our eyes, ‘looking to Jesus;’ he only is our present help. We are kept by his mighty power to salvation; but let us remember, it is through faith, that gives all the glory to the Saviour. 1 Pet. 1:5
To heav’n I lift my waitiug eyes;
There all my hopes are laid:
The Lord that built the earth and skies,
Is my perpetual aid.
Dear Saviour, let me find thy help,
On thee my hope I place,
So shall I fight the fight of faith,
And run with joy my race.
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
