THURSDAY March 16, 2017
Keep Your Eyes on the Lord
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” - Nehemiah 2:19
Other people began to hear of Nehemiah’s plans to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Both Sanballat and Tobiah began to mock the plans, they sought to oppose and discourage the Jews. But Nehemiah, in his heart was fully convinced, on what God had called him to do. He kept his focus on the Lord and was not easily distracted by their words of mockery. He was able to remain steadfast and in tune with what God wanted him to do. Nothing moved Nehemiah and he continued to unify the people even in these times of opposition.
Peter was a man who needed to learn to keep his eyes on the Lord. During a storm, the disciples were on a boat in the middle of the Galilean sea (Matthew 14:22-23). The Lord walked towards them on the water. At first they were afraid, but Jesus called out to them and reassured them to not be afraid. Peter recognized the Lord, answered Him: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28).
Jesus beckoned to Peter to walk on the water towards Him. Peter, by faith, got out of the boat with the high waves all around him, and began to walk on the water. As Peter kept his eyes focused on the Lord, he stayed above water, but as soon as he placed his eyes on the wind and waves around him, he immediately began to sink. Peter called out to the Lord to save him! Jesus caught him and calmed the storm (Matthew 14:29-32).
When the enemy stirs up people to come against us, it is important to keep our eyes on the Lord. If we cloud our minds with doubt and listen to his lies, we start an internal storm in our hearts and begin to sink in discouragement.
The Christian's chief occupational hazards are depression and discouragement.
~John R. W. Stott~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!