Eyes

Hebrews 12:2-3

We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because His heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be His, He endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!

So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that you won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures.

This scripture is certainly a fit word for today!

Many are caving in under the pressures of the current situation. Staring down the barrel of financial ruin, suicide seems the only route out for some.

I ask myself this morning, where is my gaze, what am I fixated on? ... the virus?... the vaccine mandate?... the threat of yet another lockdown?.. Am I looking away from all the distractions and keeping my eyes on the Lord Jesus?

It's so very easy to be diverted away from Jesus when the a huge wave of trial comes along.

Picture Peter, who saw Jesus walking on the water. He had a mega burst of faith at the sight of Him and actually got out of the boat and started walking on water too. Only when he averted his eyes from Jesus and looked at the waves, did he start to sink.

Matthew 14:25-31

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to You on the water.”

“Come,” He said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

This incident is a massive lesson for me and an urgent call to never shift my gaze from the One who is Master of the winds and waves.

This world is going through a colossal pummelling - everything is being shaken that can be shaken. All that we took for granted as normal is now under threat - freedoms are waved in our faces and then snatched away.

Like the disciples, we who have been following Jesus in our little boat on the calm waters of life, are finding things a bit scary, because the waves are now coming thick and fast and we're in danger of capsizing.

Even the best of us, who have "gotten out of the boat" by faith, walking towards Jesus can suddenly be afraid and start to sink too.

The most simple prayer: "Lord save me" is enough to get us to the safety of the Saviour's Hands.

I'm sure that Jesus looks me in the eyes and asks, gently, "why did you doubt?" when He has once again brought me through a great trial.

I love that verse in 2 Chronicles 20:12 when Jehoshaphat prayed in the face of being under threat from a vast army coming against his nation:

Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

What was the Lord's answer?

Verse 15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

I say to my soul: keep your eyes, your spiritual focus on Jesus. No matter how hard the waves bash and batter. Jesus is in my boat too. It's His battle, not mine!

We're not going down, believers, we're going UP!!