Fundamentals Part 2
As we continue our training in mastering the discipline of focus, we are sharpening this powerful weapon to have the kind of focus Jesus had. Jesus did nothing outside of Himself but only did as His Father did or told Him to do. Jesus always had His eyes on His Father. Knowing His Father’s will, Jesus set His face like flint as He went about His work and ministry, even as a child. When tempted by satan in the wilderness He did not waver and give into fleshly desires or be enticed by worldly power and distractions. Even when facing what was before Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus submitted to His Father’s will and not his own. Jesus always demonstrated His focus through exclusive worship of God, His Father and by His mission of humble obedience and suffering so that we could be redeemed and live abundantly. Jesus knew what He had to do and did it! Jesus did not waiver, shrink back, or allow anything to get in His way. He was focused!
King David had the disciplined ability to press into God, asking for His direction in order to triumph over the enemy. As a young man in the shepherd fields, he honed his focus and worship on God, enabling him to be ready, steady and able to handle whatever came his way. Whether it was a bear, lion, giant, or army that threatened him or His God, David's keen focus and faith in God was his strength and mighty weapon.
When David was on the front lines with his men, he continually pressed into God, looking for His direction before he would move. However, when David was home in his palace, comfortable and probably bored, his lack of focus on God led to sin. This brought much pain and turmoil in many lives. Had his focus been on God the way it was in the battle, David may not have fallen for the trap satan set before him.
To repair this misplaced focus and shut the door to this access point of sin, King David repented and cried out to God for forgiveness and restoration. For God was David’s One Thing, and he knew he could not live without his Father. When David did this his heart and focus were reset, and God responded by making it clear that David was a man after His own heart, even after his great sins.
I love David’s Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” This prayer of self-examination and seeking God’s ways should be prayed often to help keep sin and our focus on God in check.
It’s important for us, God’s Kingdom Stewards, to examine the quality of our focus and make sure it is in the right place, on God at all times. Just as any soldier or first responder will check their weapons and gear to make sure everything is present, in place and ready to be used to its full extent, we too need to check our focus often. If we don’t, we can get complacent and begin to lean into our own understanding, confusing our perception with God’s ways, especially when the answer to our prayers seems like it takes forever. We don’t want to make the same mistake King Saul did when he became impatient and disobedient to God’s instructions. King Saul started out right, but he had lost his way when he put his focus on himself and what man wanted above God. When the prophet Samuel pointed out this egregious error, King Saul did not repent or turn from his ways but doubled down in his sin and lost everything.
Are there things trying to draw or divide our focus and attention from God in this season? And if your focus is veering off in a particular direction, ask the Lord if HE is leading this, or is it the enemy’s attempt to cause you to miss something or be out of step with God’s time frame.
As you train your senses to be steadfast and dependent on God at all times, a good exercise is to ask the Holy Spirit for direction in even the simplest things throughout your day-to-day activities. Our automatic default will become a fortified focus on God alone as we answer HIS call for Colorado.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive me of the times that I have not sought your will and assumed I was doing what you wanted me to do. Forgive me for allowing my focus to wander during the night seasons of waiting on You. Forgive me for any time I’ve put my will before yours, subconsciously thinking I knew what was best. Your way Lord is the only way for me!
Father, you have my heart with my full focus and attention. I want only what you want, and want to do only what you would have me to do. I submit and trust you fully Father, and hold nothing back. I am Yours, there is no other but YOU! I love to look upon You and all Your creation, and to be consumed by Your amazing love.
Holy Spirit help me to better discern those things You would have me put my hand, time, energy and resources to. Help me to be slow and deliberate in discerning what my Father wants of me, but then to be quick and obedient in doing what He is needing me to do.
