All That Is High

“I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.
On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,
and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm 138

“His Son, he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:2-4

“Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.” Hebrews 3:1

A morning sky radiates breath-taking glory from heaven to wood, stone, and flesh here below. All that is high and lovely and beyond splendor and description meets with the low and banal and transient in the person of Jesus. He who is perfect and knew no sin became sin for us that we might taste and touch and be clothed with his righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

All that is high, may I ponder. Ponder with wonder, ponder with praise. How can I comprehend that He is high above the winds and the waves, the nations and governments and wars, the rancor in relationships, idiosyncrasies of personalities, secret thoughts of men? What does it mean that He is above the heavens yet regards the lowly? What does it change in my choices, my sentiments, to know He sees me, and sees after me, to perform His bidding? (Genesis 16:13; Jeremiah 1:12)

All that is high, may I love. Lord, captivate my affections, heart and soul, that there be room for nothing else. There are too many things on earth that vie for our attention and steal our affection. Ideas promoted and oft repeated that sully the truth or lofty thoughts toward others. Objects that shine and hum and entice and in the end complicate and entangle.

All that is high, may I share. May I be quick to console, bless, encourage with strength and love from above. May the language of heaven be mine to exalt what is lofty, elevate discussion, enlighten and bring peace.

Of all that is high, may I sing. May I never waste breath on complaint, argument, or lies. On gossip, criticism, demeaning talk, or to stir up dissension. How can I offer melody to the downcast, and inject harmony into stress?

All that is high, mark my life in every way, to the praise of God most high. Amen.