I Lift Up My Eyes

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?—Psalm 121:1

With this month’s issue, I have completed writing on all 150 psalms in four devotional studies. It has been a transformative experience. I am continually struck by the psalmists’ honesty with God, the careful artistry of their poems, and their relationship with God in joy and sorrow. When I pray the Psalms, I am joining in the same prayers that God’s people have voiced for some 3,000 years.

This month, we are studying Book 5 (Psalms 107–150). In this section, the whole gamut of human experience is brought before God in prayer. But there is more praise than lament, and the book concludes with a rousing Hallelujah Chorus! My prayer is that through this study, we will:

• Grow in our ability to relate to God in joy and sorrow
• Express gratitude to God based on His mighty acts of salvation
• Long for Christ’s return when we will be in His presence forever

Your devotional author,
Ryan J. Cook

Dr. Ryan Cook has taught at Moody Bible Institute since 2012. He holds degrees from Moody Bible Institute, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and Asbury Theological Seminary. Before joining Moody’s faculty, Ryan served as a pastor in Michigan for seven years. He lives with his wife, Ashley, and their three children in Northwest Indiana.

Begin Reading May's Devotional

BY Ryan Cook

Dr. Ryan Cook has taught at Moody Bible Institute since 2012. He earned his bachelor of arts in Bible and Theology from Moody and his master of arts in Old Testament from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He has worked in Christian education and served as a pastor in Michigan for seven years. During his time as a professor at Moody, he earned his doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary. He now lives with his wife, Ashley, and their three children in the Chicagoland area.

VOLUME 35 EDITION 5

Managing Editor: Jamie Janosz, Senior Editor: Elena Mafter, Contributing Editor: John Koessler, Writer: Ryan Cook, Art Director: Lynn Gabalec, Graphic Designer: Rachel Hutcheson, Marketing & Production: Paul B. Currie