Tuesday, July 31, 2012

If You Don't Know What To, Look to the One Who Does

In the Old Testament, King Jehoshaphat faced an incredible, insurmountable onslaught against surrounding enemy forces. He did not know what to do, but he knew Whom to seek:

"And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court." (2 Chronicles 20: 5)

After praising God, reminding Him of all that He had done for His chosen people, the king finished by saying:

"O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee." (2 Chronicles 20: 12)

We need to keep our eyes on God, but this is not a strain for those who believe on Jesus (John 6: 29). "Eyes on God" does not mean that we stare into the sky, for God Himself has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews13: 5).  He lives in us (Colossians 1: 27), and by His Spirit He works within us (Philippians 2: 13) and leads us (Galatians 5: 16-18) in all the works which He has already placed in us (Ephesians 2: 10)

Paul told the Ephesians which eyes to open:

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 1: 17-20)

We need to grow in understanding, submitting our full intellect to the truth that God is, that God if for us, that God lives in us, that God lives through us.

When we learn that through Christ, we have been seated in heavenly places with Him, we grow to understand that our enemies are His enemies, and He has subdued them all:

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)

Now, Christ sits in highest authority at the right hand the Father:

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)

God disarmed our enemy by removing from him the power of the law. God the Father also invited His Son to sit in power over these  now-vanquished enemies:

"For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

"Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2: 34-36)

So, what should you be opening your eyes to see within you? Paul could not make it any simpler:

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3: 1-3)

We are up there in Christ, He lives with us here on earth, in Him we are more than conquerors (Romans 8: 37). Keep your eyes on Him, and overcome in every area where you do not know what to do.

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