Where We Focus

Because he hath set his love on me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name (Psalm 91:14).

What we focus on is of paramount importance to our Chrisitan life. Almost every story in the Bible illustrates this. Peter is one of the clearest examples. When Jesus came walking on the water toward the disciple's boat, Peter asked to join Him, showing a strong, courageous faith. As long as he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus, he also walked on the water, but when he noticed the fierce storm, he began to sink. When Peter later denied his Lord, he had his focus on himself and what might happen to him if others thought he associated with Jesus. 

Elijah did much the same thing years earlier. He had been such a strong man of faith, standing up to Ahab and never wavering in his obedience to God. However, after the victory on Mt. Carmel and Jezebel told him what she intended to do to him, he put his focus on his dire circumstances and ran away. Even then, however, God never abandoned Elijah just as He never left Peter and won't abandon us.

The Hebrew spies Moses sent out is another example. Because Joshua and Caleb knew God, his power, and his love for His people, they knew the people had nothing to worry about in taking the Promised Land because God had promised and would be with them. However, the ten other spies concentrated on the size and strength of their enemies. The people listened to the ten, and as a result, the Israelites spent forty years wandering in the wilderness. A whole generation (all but two) missed out on God's promised blessing.

Sampson was a prophet of God, but he had his focus on beautiful women and his desires instead of God. They were his downfall.  And you can find many more examples of men who became fathers of the faith because they kept their focus on the Lord or those who fell into trouble because they didn't.

In which camp do you fall? Is your focus on God? Is He the most important thing in your life - far above everything else? It's easy to get caught up in things of this world and forget what's really important, However, we can always change that. In light of eternity, God is the only thing that matters. Turn to God totally and completely today.

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