[Music] There are times in life when you should ignore what you see for the sake of what you believe. There are times in life when you should ignore what you see and have faith in the promises in the word of God. Some of us are sinking in this life because our eyes are focused on what can't be done, on what hasn't been done.
when instead we ought to be looking at what God can do and what God has said he will do. One great piece of advice I received was this. If you want to be distressed, then look within yourself.
If you want to be defeated, then look back at your past. The devil will remind you of all of your failures, all of your mistakes and shortcomings. If you want to be distracted, then look around you.
If you want to be dismayed, then look ahead because no one knows what the future holds for them. But here is the essence of my message to you. If you want to be delivered, if you need to be delivered, then look up.
Look up to Jesus. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Focus on Jesus.
How do you focus on God instead of the obstacles of life? It's a valid question, right? We all have obstacles in this life.
We will all come face to face with things that will threaten our faith in the Lord. We'll come up against opposition that may paralyze even the most courageous hearts with fear. But you see over and over again in the Bible, we're told not to worry.
We're told not to fear, not to be dismayed, not to be discouraged, but instead to look to the Lord as your deliverer. Look to the Lord as your rescuer. Look to the Lord as your help and source of strength.
Now, this all sounds good, but how do you practically do this? Well, in 2 Chronicles 16, there is an interesting story that we can all learn from. There is a king named Asa who initially started well in his walk with God.
Initially, Asa was a king who worked to remove idolatry among his people and lead the land to worship and honor the one true God, Jehovah. But King Asa's story takes a turn when he decides to put his trust in man instead of God. When faced with an obstacle, this king deviated from his faith and sought to seek help from people instead of the Lord.
Here is what the Bible says in 2 Chronicles 16:7-9. At that time, Hani the seer came to Asa, king of Judah, and said to him, "Because you relied on the king of Aam, Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aam, Syria, has escaped out of your hand. " Were not the Ethiopians and Lubam a huge army with a great number of chariots and horsemen?
Yet because you relied on the Lord, he placed them in your hand. For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that he may support those whose heart is completely his. You have acted foolishly in this.
Therefore, from now on, you will have wars. Now, from this story of King Asa, we don't want to focus too much on this king and what he did, but rather I want to highlight what the prophet of God, Hani, said to King Asa. He said, "The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that he may support those whose heart is completely his.
" This is what we should remember as children of God. The eyes of the Lord are seeking those who are fully committed in him, those who are fully trusting in him. And so dear friend, when you face obstacles in life, don't put your trust in people.
Trust in God. Don't rely on people or things. Trust in God Almighty because he is seeking.
For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth. just looking for the person who is fully committed and confident in him. Now let us pray.
Dear God Almighty, we bow down to you and say you are great and mighty to be praised. I pray that the Holy Spirit would help each of us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Help us to be firm and consistently focused on God's word above the opinions of man, above what our natural eyes can see.
King Jesus, help us not to be swayed and distracted by this world or by the obstacles presented to us in this world. But Lord, I pray that you would give us hearts that are committed to you. Your word tells us that the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that he may support those whose heart is completely his.
Father, we declare that our hearts are fully confident in you. Our hearts fully trust you, Master. And we pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to be disciplined and not to let our eyes wander or gaze at anything sinful.
Father, your word in Psalm 16:8 says, "I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken for he is right beside me. " King Jesus, so long as you are by my side, then I cannot be shaken.
So we pray that you would take the lead, Master, have your way. I pray for the strength to continue fighting my carnal desire to take matters into my own hands. Instead, I submit to you and will keep my eyes always on Jesus.
Holy Spirit, I pray that you would minister to the souls of each and every person listening. Be that still small voice that reminds us to constantly cling to Jesus Christ. Help us to keep our eyes on the Lord.
Help us to keep our eyes on things above and not on things of the earth. Convict us, Holy Spirit, to continually keep our eyes on the Lord. Father, give us an attitude whereby if all is well, our eyes would still be on Jesus.
The Bible in Hebrews 12:2 says, "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. " When we face the obstacles of life, help us to keep our eyes fixed on Christ.
Teach us, Holy Spirit, to continuously examine ourselves and evaluate what our focus is and where our eyes are fixed. Lord Jesus, I thank you for your goodness. I look to you because you took my sins when you hung on the cross.
You redeemed me, Lord. You have saved and delivered me. If it were not for your wonderful sacrifice, then where would I be?
If you never shed your precious blood, then who could have saved me? There is none like you, King Jesus. That's why my eyes will remain fixed on you.
You extended your loving arms to me and called me to repentance. Because of this, I rejoice and I say all praise and honor be to the most high because I am saved, sanctified, and redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the lamb of God. There is no better time to praise you, Lord, than right now.
And so I rejoice today. I sing your praises today because if it wasn't for Jehovah Gyra, who would provide for me? If it wasn't for El Shadai, God Almighty, who would save me?
If it wasn't for the lion of the tribe of Judah, who would be my protector? I praise you, Lord. You are holy and worthy of my adoration.
Thank you for listening to my prayer. In Jesus' name I pray. [Music] Amen.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil assault and he will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up.
The flames will not consume [Music] you. At that time, Hani the seer came to Asa, king of Judah, and said to him, "Because you relied on the king of Aam, Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aam, Syria, has escaped out of your hand. " Were not the Ethiopians and Lubam a huge army with a great number of chariots and horsemen?
Yet because you relied on the Lord, he placed them in your hand. For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that he may support those whose heart is completely his. You have acted foolishly in this.
Therefore, from now on, you will have wars. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken for he is right beside me.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
