What are you looking at? (2)

I am so excited to know that you will be reading this article! I truly believe that you will be blessed by this message and that God will reveal Himself to you more and more, and the more you see Him, the more you will enjoy life as God had intended for you to enjoy it.

Previously we spoke about circumstances as being the vehicle by which God reveals Christ to us and in us, so that He might eventually also be revealed through us. I want to remind you, at this point, that you are in right standing with God (because you are in Christ), therefore we cannot read the Bible the same way anymore (i.e. as sinners). If there is one thing that I want you to take from this article, it is that God’s love for you is real, so real that it’s almost tangible.

1 John 4:10 says the following: “In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.”

Grant me the opportunity to share with you some thoughts on the times we are living in today. Our current economic crises faze so many and we find ourselves standing in front of a closed door. What’s the key to survival? How are we going to get through this and in one piece on the other side? I think I might have some idea as to answer to the mystery...

The Kingdom of God is not subject to or dependant on any systems of governance this world may conjure. There are those who have trouble believing this; they rather understand it to be the other way around. Nonetheless, Christ is the supreme ruler of this Heavenly Kingdom and we have been placed in Him (by the Father, according to 1 Cor 1:30). John 16:33 is very clear on the matter that Jesus has overcome the world, He has deprived it of its power to harm us and this He has done for us.

Within the pages of the Old Testament we find a strikingly similar picture to our current situation; God’s people were in a time of financial recession. Even in the midst of these difficult times, the prophet Elijah did not suffer hunger; God provided in his needs through sending ravens to him, bearing food, whilst a brook supplied him with water. Later on God also used the widow of Zerephath to provide for him (1 Kings 17). From Elijah’s actions we can distinguish two things:

1Kings 17:5 “So he did according to the word of the Lord; he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan.”
1Kings 17:10 “So he arose and went to Zerephath.”

Elijah’s focus was not on the economic crises of his day and age; they were steadfastly focused on God. He didn’t miss a single thing God had in store for him; He clearly understood God’s plan and responded accordingly. We are capable of doing the same; we do have the ability to hear God’s voice and therefore can respond accordingly! This is possible due to the indwelling of His Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 “If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]”

In Gospel of Luke we find a similar story of supernatural provision. In chapter five we read that the disciples worked all night and could not catch a single fish, it was as if the lake was completely sucked dry of all fish. Jesus arrived on the scene and told them to cast their nets in the deep water; suddenly an ‘empty’ lake offered a catch so huge that their nets broke under the weight of fish and their boats began to sink! Please note Peter’s words: (5) “And Simon (Peter) answered, Master, we toiled all night [exhaustingly] and caught nothing [in our nets]. But on the ground of Your word, I will lower the nets [again].”

In 2 Chronicles, chapter 20 we find that Israel was under the great threat of a three nation coalition rising up against them. Looking at the situation in the natural, they had no chance of winning this battle and no way of survival. But then they pray something, something worth noting (v.12): “O our God, will You not exercise judgment upon them? For we have no might to stand against this great company that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

This is the answer to the ‘mystery’, the mystery to getting through the financial recession we face today! Our problem is that we are focusing on the circumstances and not looking at Him! The natural serve only to distract us from truly seeing Him. Our eyes are not supposed to be on anything else than on Him, for He has finished all that is necessary for you and me to live in His victory (2 Pet 1:3).

Hebrews 12:2 “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We need to focus on Him, intently and attentively with an expectancy; we need to listen to what He is saying. Our focus should not be on the problem, this will only result in the problem becoming our master, and it cannot be our master for our Master lives in us!

Colossians 3:1-3 AMP If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (3) For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.

May you have a blessed week! May the Holy Spirit flood the eyes of your heart so that you may see the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in you!