"Our Eyes are On You" 8-17-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Align my heart and mind with Yours, now at the start and throughout every step of my day. ... "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You" (2 Chronicles 20:12). There are times when our hearts are broken and our faith is battered, when our circumstances look dark and the enemy of our souls seems strong. These are the times when we feel "powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us" to "drive us out of Your possession that You have given us to inherit" (v. 20:11-12). But if we turn to You instead of to ourselves, keep looking up in the hope of how You always redeem all things instead of looking down at the apparent impending destruction of the moment, You comfort us with Your presence and encourage us with Your promise: "Do not fear or be dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not your but God's" (v. 20:15). When we feel the pressure to do something to make everything right or live up to everybody's expectations, You lovingly but firmly remind us: "This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf" (v. 20:17). This is not passive resignation to our circumstances, but active and deliberate surrender of our circumstances into Your hands. It's the trusting faith is the assurance of Your presence with us and power of Your redemption for us through every blazing fire and deep pit the enemy of our souls would like to through us into. As three trusting children of Israel declared in the face of their daunting circumstances and imminent destruction: "If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let Him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statute that you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18). They were thrown into the fiery pit, but there was One who was with them through it all, so that when it was all said and done, they didn't even smell like smoke, and the fire had no power over them (Daniel 3:25-27). You determine our destiny -- not our circumstances, not our enemies, not our expectations or those of the people around us. You redeem all things we entrust into Your hands. We may have to first find ourselves thrown into the fires and down into the pits, but if we hold fast in the faith of the goodness of Your heart and greatness of Your love toward us no matter what, You will cause all things to work together for good in Your timing and in Your way. Even all that is intended for harm, You will use for good (Genesis 50:20). So as best as I can and all by Your grace, I will keep lifting my eyes to You, trusting Your love, knowing Your presence, and believing Your power to redeem. If God be for me, who can be against me, whom then shall I fear? "I will lift up my eyes to the hills -- from where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2). I will look up and behold the salvation and redemption of my God by His unfailing love and unending grace, no matter what comes. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Come to The Fountain! this Friday Night on the 3rd Friday night of every month for our ministry's gathering of the body of Christ from every tradition and stream to worship the Lord in Sprit and in Truth. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters in the freedom of the Spirit. 7 pm in the chapel at Centenary. All are welcome. Call for details: 859-422-1794 or send a note to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com Subscribe by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Daily Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com Order our Ministry Resources: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org