Eyes on God
Anger, frustration, fear, concern, uncertainty, sadness, confusion. I’ve probably felt each of these at some point during the last week and half. Maybe I’m not alone!
All this is out of our control and this leaves us feeling powerless. Last week I was reminded of an account in the Scriptures. It takes place in the land of Judah while Hezekiah was King. A group of nations came to battle Judah, one so great that they knew that there was nothing to be done by them. But as much fear and confusion that must have been ruling their minds and hearts in that time, you can see that the Spirit of the Living God grabbed hold of Hezekiah’s heart. For he gathered the people of Judah together and prayed. He declared to God: “You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you” (2 Chronicles 20:6). Here is wisdom for us today. Let us train our lips today to declare His authority and power over all things so that our hearts and minds might respond in faith. Let us join voices with God’s people long ago as they said, “If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you – for you name is in this house – and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save” (2 Chronicles 20:9).
We expect to feel some sort of tingly inner strength after saying such things. We would want this to be like a pep rally in High School, where we read those words and are pumped up and ready to face the opponent. But maybe that doesn’t come. Perhaps these final words of Hezekiah’s prayer may then be the most helpful for us today: “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). A very honest declaration: “we are powerless.” We have no hope or strength or power in ourselves. So what do we do? Put our eyes on the one who does: “our eyes are on you.”
Christian, you have a place to look today. The cross of Jesus Christ. And as you stand in front of that cross in your mind’s eye through the word of God, let that same word point your heart and mind to truth. Hear this and believe: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Keep it before you, put it on your fridge, and memorize it. Press it deep into your heart. And in the face of the trials of this day declare it.
Lord Jesus our eyes are on you. Be glorified!