Happy Trails: Journey Through the Psalms of AscentSample

Imagine a child clinging to his mother’s side after being scooped up to dangle on her hip. His tears, shed seconds ago, quickly dry and in the arms of his mother, every trouble fades from his mind. He is suddenly relaxed, snug, and collected, a night and day difference from when he was toddling on the ground. As the first verse says, he isn’t proud (with lifted up heart and eyes) focusing on his autonomy. He isn’t anxious, focusing on what is beyond his control and realm of understanding. He is just happy because of who is holding him. He is quieted because of the one he’s with.

God’s presence changes everything. We become so quickly upset when our eyes are on anything other than Himself, when we seek anything outside of His presence. We wander off all too well and are filled with fear far too easily. But no matter how far we go, He hears our cries and never hesitates to gather us up in His love, even when we have only been faithful to push Him away again and again and exercise our independence from Him. His faithfulness runs deeper still. At any moment, we can enter into His presence and find the pandemonium brought to peace, our perspective adjusted, our countenance transformed. No matter our age, may we never believe that we have outgrown our need for His presence.

1. Who/what do you run to when you are upset?
2. Do you find lasting comfort from these places?
3. What things “too great and too marvelous” for you do you find yourself occupied with most often?
4. As a child of God, in what ways are you seeking Him in His presence?