Focus On the Lord’s Unseen Presence…Not On the Seen Deceptions of the Broken World Around You.
Without the Lord’s Presence, you will never have peace or be secure in the fallen, broken world you live in.
2 Corinthians 4:18–So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
We cannot attain true peace and contentment (Joy in our hearts, regardless of our circumstances) through our own self-sufficiency. The more we try to “do it on our own” , the more hollow and empty our heart becomes. The more hollow our heart becomes, the more we intensify our search for happiness and peace of mind. (“Maybe the next thing–job, relationship, possession, or accomplishment will be the one that makes me “Happy”.)
By fixing our focus on the Lord and staying in His Presence, through continual prayer and the study of His Word, we are assured of His security (spiritually) and His refuge in times of trouble.
Isaiah 26:3–You will keep in perfect peace, all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
That continual contact with Him throughout the day will keep you centered…and He will help you prioritize the events of the day, helping to eliminate the chaos of your feeble attempts at controlling your life on your own.
Don’t let fatigue, pain, or anxiety from unfair criticism force you off the job…Concentrate on the inner strength that comes from the Holy Spirit. It is easy to lose heart and quit. We all have faced problems in our relationships or in our work that have caused us to think about giving up. When your mind goes there…Renew your commitment to serving the Lord. Don’t forsake your eternal reward because of the intensity of today’s pain. You very weakness enables the resurrection power of the Lord to strengthen you moment by moment.
Paul was in chains in a Roman prison; facing death…His followers thought he would be depressed and defeated..But, instead, he was full of Joy because as far as he was concerned he was in a win-win situation…If he was executed he would get to be with the Lord..If he was not, he would have all these Roman guards to talk to about the Good News of Jesus Christ.
So, Focus on God’s perspective..not on the world’s chaos and turmoil–
2 Corinthians 4:16-18– That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
My Prayer for this day:
Lord, You are my strength and my shield. Thank you for teaching me the value of your plans for my life… And for your perspective on your world…not on the evil one’s world. Lord, I know true peace cannot be attained in this broken world. True peace can only be found in You and your promised Kingdom. Until then, peace on earth can only be found by staying focused on Your Presence, which is unseen. Lord, be with me today, giving me Your strength, wisdom, and peace of mind as we walk today’s path to Your Glory.