To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul (Psalm 25:1).

How many times do we say or sing the words listed above: “To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul”? Simple words, and easy to say, but not so easy to do at times—at least not for me. And yet, if I did, I would surely find myself less often scratching my head and saying, “How did I get here?”

The key is in understanding the word “soul,” which in turn helps us understand how we “lift” our soul to the Lord. If we remember that our soul is made up of our mind (thoughts), emotions, and will, the picture becomes clear. To lift up our soul to the Lord means that we submit our thoughts and emotions to Him, and choose (submit our will) to live according to His Word rather than by our emotions or thoughts. Simple…but not always easy.

Here’s another thought that might help. The devil is often referred to as the “enemy of our soul.” Though he can’t undermine or defeat the spirit of a born-again child of God, he certainly can try to use our mind, will, and emotions to deceive and harm us. But if we remember to submit or “lift” our soul to God, seeking His direction and protection, the devil will fail in his attempts to derail us.

The devil is smarter than we are, but 1 John 4:4 says, “He who is in you [believers] is greater than he who is in the world.” God in us is greater than the devil in the world. That gives me great comfort and assurance—and the perfect incentive and reminder to continually lift my soul to the Lord.

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