His Heart Was Lifted Up in The
The sermon encourages listeners to lift up their hearts to God, seeking spiritual uplift and walking in His ways to experience peace, joy, and redemption.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of lifting our hearts to God, encouraging believers to rise above the burdens of daily life and seek the serene presence of the Father. He draws inspiration from the phrase 'Sursum corda,' urging us to elevate our hearts free from sin and mistrust, and to embrace joy and purity. Meyer reminds us that in times of trouble, we should look up to God, who will lift us higher and fill us with peace. He highlights the necessity of walking in the ways of the Lord, as exemplified by Jehoshaphat, and warns against the distractions of idolatry and worldly concerns. Ultimately, he calls for a heart that aspires to dwell in heavenly places with Christ.
Text
His heart was lifted up in the
ways of the Lord. 2 Chron. xvii. 6.
SURSUM corda! Lift up your hearts! How beautiful is this ejaculation in the Communion Service of the Church of England, and the response, "We lift them up unto the Lord." I never hear it without the thrill of a holy impulse passing through me. It is possible, and it is meet and right, to lift up our hearts from the sordid cares and pressing responsibilities of daily life, into the calm, serene presence of God our Father.
Lift up your heart to God, as a child its face to be kissed. Lift it up free from mistrust and sinful stain, and unkind feeling towards any. Lift it up in holy joy and inspiration. Lift it up as a censer filled with the hot coals, from which sweet fragrance exhales. And God will bend down to lift it higher, and fill it with his peace and joy and purity.
In hours of depression look up, be lifted. Sursum corda! When the foe is pressing you most severely, look up, your redemption draweth nigh. When the river has to be crossed, when the last farewell must be said, when the flesh fails, let your mind and heart thither ascend, and there continually dwell where Jesus has entered as your Forerunner.
If you would lift up your heart, you must be in the ways of the Lord, as the good Jehoshaphat. You must seek the Lord God, and walk in his commandments. You must take away the high places and groves of idolatry and impurity. Beware of the world's birdlime! Shake yourself from the bands and bonds that would detain you. Oh, heart of mine, why is thy flight so low? Lift thyself up and sit down with Christ in the heavenly places! "Unto Thee, 0 Lord, do I lift up my soul. Let not mine enemies triumph over me!"
Sermon Outline
- The Call to Lift Up Our Hearts
- The Benefits of Spiritual Uplift
- The Necessity of Walking in the Ways of the Lord
- The Importance of Spiritual Uplift
- The Means of Spiritual Uplift
- Peace and Joy in Times of Depression
- Redemption and Victory Over Adversity
- Seeking the Lord and Walking in His Commandments
- Removing Idolatry and Impurity
Key Quotes
“Sursum corda! Lift up your hearts!” — F.B. Meyer
“Lift up your heart to God, as a child its face to be kissed.” — F.B. Meyer
“Unto Thee, 0 Lord, do I lift up my soul. Let not mine enemies triumph over me!” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to seek the Lord and walk in His commandments every day.
- Remove idolatry and impurity from your life to experience spiritual uplift.
- In times of depression and adversity, look up to God and seek His peace and joy.