FIXING OUR GAZE

In these current times of unprecedented upheaval, where are we to place our focus? If we look around us, the world seems to be in crisis at almost every level. Perhaps you and I need to fix our gaze elsewhere.

When Enemies Gather

In these uncertain days, I have turned often to one of my favorite passages: 2 Chronicles 20. In this chapter of the Bible, an amazing story unfolds regarding the children of Israel under Jehoshaphat’s leadership.

At the beginning of the chapter, the King of Judah receives notification that the armies of three countries are mustering against his little nation. We can all understand how this information might strike fear in his heart. Even so, Jehoshaphat set all of Judah to corporate fasting to seek the Lord together. 

Then, he himself stepped forward to lead his subjects in prayer—first declaring God’s power and might, then recounting the many acts of divine faithfulness. Next came his reminder to God of what He Himself had directed His people to do: in times of disaster and crisis, they were to come to His holy temple and cry out to Him for help.

The Cry and the Response

Jehoshaphat’s discourse ends with these words from verse 12: “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

Their determination to gaze at the One who had promised to deliver them from disaster resulted in an outpouring of prophetic encouragement and direction. 

They heard words like, “Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” They heard, “You will not need to fight in this battle.”, followed by specific prophetic instruction as to what action they should take.

In the end, a looming disaster turned into a dramatic deliverance.

Our Focus in Hard Times

Where are we to turn our eyes when everything in the world seems to be aligning itself against us? We gaze upon the One who alone is able to help us, rescue us, and deliver us—by His power, not ours.

A New Testament counterpart to what Jehoshaphat modeled in this story is Hebrews 12:2, which in the New American Standard version begins with these words: “fixing our eyes.” The original Greek translation of that phrase means this: “to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something.” 

In desperate times, we intentionally turn our eyes from everything that might cause us to shrink back in fear. Instead, we look confidently at the One who can help us, and we focus solely on Him.