Look Up by J. MATTESON

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 16, 1870

Look Up.

By J. MATTESON

WHAT a mistaken idea, to suffer our minds continually to dwell upon the world, or upon our own mistakes and failures, or those of others; or to suffer our conversation to run upon wrongs and sins, when there is no necessity for so doing. This only tends to impurity and discouragement in ourselves and others.

When these things begin to come to pass [the signs of the end] then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh. Luke 21. This is the proper position of the waiting saints of God: to be looking upward, homeward, forward to light and glory. What has earth to bind me here? Its blasted hopes are strewn thickly around me. I cannot afford to place my affections any more upon earthly things. All my energies and powers must be bent heavenward. To look down brings darkness and sorrow. To be so intent on scraping together little piles of chips, like Bunyan’s man with the rake, and thus lose sight of the heavenly crown, brings eternal loss. To neglect daily devotion, on account of business, is running a terrible risk. Many a man is by such a course prospered in temporal attainments. The world says he is wise. God says, “Thou fool!” Satan cries, Look down! Christ says, “Look up.” Dear reader, whose voice will you hear and obey? J. MATTESON.