In these last days, as the intensity of the spiritual battle grows, we hear a variety of responses from human hearts.

Increasingly, we can see and hear the Laodicean state as described in Revelation 3—”I’m all right; I don’t need any help or correction; I’m fine just the way I am.”

There is also an overwhelming amount of the population who are apparently just indifferent. They do not really care to know anything more of the claims of God; they do not want their lifestyle interrupted.

I write not to those described above, but instead to a small group—a precious group, whose call from the heart is heard not only here, but on high.

Their cry is “What about me?” They know something of the message of salvation, they have heard of the love of God for mankind; they have read of the sacrifice of Christ for sinful beings; they have sorrowed and cried and repented of their sin. They study the Bible and seek to bring their lives into conformity to the Bible standard, but they face a relentless foe—one who delights in distraction, destruction, and discouragement; one who brings, with an almost overwhelming surge, the past—its sin with its ugliness—and says: “Yes, God can save some but not you, you are too bad!”

These people are often the sensitive, the struggling, and tenderly viewed of our Father. They agonize and cry, asking, “What about me? How can I be saved?”

It seems we must go through this agonizing, pleading time. We search and cry out for answers to the only One who can help. And when He answers and gives His peace and assurance to the soul, then we are comforted and fitted to give the glorious message of salvation to others. We can comfort in the way we have been comforted.

We need a strong faith in the merits of our Redeemer—stronger than we have yet had, to take us through the trying days ahead. But how is faith developed? The Scripture answers, “By hearing the Word of God.” But let us dig deeper. A muscle is not strengthened unless used; it does not grow unless progressively stretched. Our faith is similar—it needs to be used and stretched.

How difficult is it to have faith in God’s healing power when you are well? How difficult to believe in God’s provision when you have all you need? How is your faith stretched to hold on to God’s strength when you feel strong and life goes along smoothly? Do you begin to understand with me the need for trials, for stretches, for pain and sorrow in order that we can cry out to God for help?

We can praise God, for He has already provided us with the answers, the help. It is contained in little packages throughout the Word of God. They come by the tens and hundreds and possibly thousands. They are the promises of God.

Promises to read, promises to pray, promises upon which to place our whole weight. Promises to believe, promises to relieve our burdens and cares, promises to increase our faith.

So when all is dark and trying, pray for the Lord to direct you to the promises specifically for the circumstances in which you happen to be. And when you find them, write them out, read them often, memorize them and, most of all, believe them. They are God’s cords to hold us fast to His heart—the evidences of His love and care for His beloved children.

Look up with me and believe that God loves you and, yes, even me. This is the character of God who delights in mercy, who longs to forgive, who awaits to dwell with us in that heavenly abode.

Look up, not at ourselves, not at our circumstances, not at others, but at our precious Saviour, Jesus Christ. Believe that He loves you and can save you.

LOOK UP!