FIXING OUR EYES ON GOD!!!

LOOKING UNTO JESUS

This is my word to someone from my heart, that we ought to fix our eyes to the Source; the author and finisher of our faith despite the challenges, misfortunes and uncertainties  that we face in this end times era. My surety to you is that there is no situation which is permanent  if we faithfully focus to God our Maker, and if you have doubt, be encouraged with the Word of God.  Paul tells us in (Heb. 12:1-2) that, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses , let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  My beloved brethren, remember how Jesus, persevered and endured the hostility at Gethsemane; so that you and I may be redeemed from sin, burdens and yokes of life to fix our eyes to Him. Knowing that, at times we go through hard times for the chastening of the Lord to bring us back from our wicked ways. Paul continues in v3; For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. This means that; You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons saying: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If we endure chastening, God deals with us as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chastens?

EYES ON GOD AND NOT HUMAN RESOURCES

Here, I will be sharing a short story during the ancient time of prophet Isaiah when the people were blinded, fixed their eyes not on God but human resources and eventually failed. This should be a reminder or a lesson to be learned, not to have other alternatives or other resources, but only God who is able to save and deliver us from all lives calamities and afflictions :( Isaiah 22:11) As the battle raged, according to the prophetic oracle, the defenders of Jerusalem were forced to repair breaches in the city’s walls. Because adequate water supplies were vital for a successful defense, the people inside the city fashioned an emergency reservoir to retain water from the old pool. The structure was located between the two walls referred to in Second Chronicles 32:4,5, during the rule of king Hezekiah,  people gathered together who stopped all the springs and the brook that ran through the land saying, “Why should the king of Assyria come and find much water?” So the king and the people, strengthened themselves, built up the wall that was broken, raised it up to the towers, and built another wall outside. though the precise site is unknown. The “old pool” may well have been the familiar Pool of Siloam. The citizens of Jerusalem had acted under stress in a typically human manner. They had taken emergency measures, but had not come prayerfully to God, who had caused the crisis originally. Though located besides a “Valley of Vision” (vv. 1, 5),” The burden against the Valley of Vision. “What ails you now, that you have all gone up  to the housetops, For it is a day of trouble and trending down and perplexity, By the Lord God of hosts in the Valley of Visions- Breaking down the walls and of crying to the mountains. Jerusalem which holds God’s Temple, was spiritually blind. Had its citizens looked to God instead of trusting in human resources, they would have been saved from calamity. Therefore my beloved brethren, the believer’s eyes must be fixed on God, neither on the world nor the uncertainties.

FIXING OUR EYES ON GOD IN TOUGH TIMES

I must say that human beings we are created in a unique and special way but with different behaviors; when faced with a challenge, calamity or disaster of life, that is the time we seek God, and when the storm is over, we tend to forget about God, While others when in storm, it’s a time they get discouraged, back slide from their stand of faith, and others even feel that the only solution is to end their lives by committing suicide. Have been there personally, I know and understand but it is not a story for today but another time as the Lord permits me. Let us all be royal to God as David and seek Him all the times, and not go astray as no one is righteous, may we repent and seek His mercy. The Psalmist says in (Ps. 27:14) “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord. Nahum tells us in his message how the Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him, indeed He will strengthen us to overcome (Nah. 1:7). And in (2 Chron. 16:9a) declares, “The eyes of the Lord running to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are royal to Him.”

FIXING OUR EYES ON GOD IN TIME OF TRIALS

When faced with trials my brethren, count it all joy, for there are all seasons and times for all things under the sun. Do not despair but press on that you may attain the price or reward.  (James 1: 2-4) says, “My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patients have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Apostle Paul encourages the people to press on, (Phil. 3:12-15) “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on that I may lay hold of that which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” v14, “I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Remember that God is always faithful who will not allow those who trust Him to be tempted beyond their capability (1 Cor. 10:13) “No temptation has overtaken you except such as common to man; But God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” Always we should be prayerful in order not to yield to temptations and trials, (Luke 22:40) When Jesus came to mount Olive He told His disciples,” to pray that they may not enter into temptation.”  And in earlier verse 28 the disciples are being rewarded being with Jesus when He was being tried. “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on the throne judging the twelve tribes of Israel. What a wonderful thing to persist through a trial knowing that we will be equipped and become a better version of us!

FIX YOUR EYES ON WHAT LIES AHEAD AS WELL

In the previous Scripture we have just read form the Book of (Phil. 3:13) “Brethren, I do not count myself to have to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,” As the saying goes, “Better days are still ahead” therefore my brethren continue pressing on knowing that the crown lies ahead. God has promised us an expected end of hope and peace. In spite of God’s anger with the children of Israelites, because of their iniquities, rebellious and stiff-necked heart, He still had a future and a hope for the remnants who were in Babylon after seventy years of captivity. (Jer. 29:10-11) For thus says the Lord God, “After seventy years are completed in Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thought of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” The preacher is not left behind, urging us to fix our eyes always a head, (Prov. 4:25)” Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.”

IN GOOG TIMES, DON’T FORGET TO FIX YOUR EYES

Moses reminded the Israelites to fix their eyes on  God in good times remembering what He had done for them, as He is the same God who gave them power to be wealthy as He had done with our forefathers of ancient days. (Deut. 8:10-11, 18) “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, judgments and His statutes.” v18, “ And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who give you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day,

As Apostle Paul tells us brethren in (2 Cor. 4:18) To fix our eyes on God, the author and finisher of our faith; and on the things which are not seen for they are eternal, unchanging, permanent and always constant. For the things which are seen are temporary and of this world. Yes, let’s keep on walking and never tarry on the way. The road may be tough, rough and disappointing at times, but by God’s grace, we will conquer, emerge victories and experience God’s peace as we travel our unique paths if we fix our eyes on God. Yes God is with us through it all, and He will never ever leave us nor forsake us. Throughout the Bible: our forefathers, prophets, priests, judges, kings, Scribers teachers and apostles all passed through trials, temptations, calamities, challenges ups and downs of life but they pressed on and received the crown. As the preacher and Job put it; there is nothing new under the sun.  What we experience today it had already happened in the ancient time, even worse than this. There was a time in history in Samaria that families were eating each other for there was nothing at all to be eaten those days.  Instead of complaining and murmuring, Let us be grateful to God we haven’t reached that point in our time.

God of a second chance, may You take away  every iniquity away from our land, and purge every sin especially the sin of murmuring, complaining, and doubting if You ever Exist. Help us to always fix our eyes firmly on You; trusting that You love us more than we can ever imagine. In Jesus Mighty Name Amen.

“Grace to you and Favor from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen, and Amen, and Amen.”