Have you ever been in school, in a staff meeting, or even in church when your eyes start to wander? Something catches your eye and you start checking out your surroundings. “What is that person wearing? That person is so checking their messages, Ha! That person is so sleeping!” Thoughts go racing through your head as your eyes scan the room. Soon you start thinking of all the things that you have to do this month, this week, before the end of the day, even. Then all of a sudden, something pulls your line of vision back in, the teacher calls on you, your boss calls on you, or you hear the words ‘in closing’ and you realize that your focus has drifted from what you were intended to focus on.
While reading this week’s section, The Rise of Israel, I noticed a strong contrast between people that kept their focus on God and those who lost their focus on Him. At the beginning of this section, we are introduced to Hannah who despite her ridicule and provoking from others due to being barren, never stopped focusing on God. As a result, God blessed her with children. On the other hand, we have Eli who received clear direction from God on his sons wickedness (1 Sam 2:12-17). Instead of rebuking his sons, he allowed them to continue in their sin. He took his eyes off Holy God and was focusing on his love for his sons. As a result, his sons died and he, too, lost his life.
Samuel was a prophet and judge of Israel who from the day of his calling never lost focus on whom God was. He “grew and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fail.” (1 Sam 3:19) In a time when a word from God was rare, Samuel’s devotion to God enabled God to reveal Himself back to Israel. However, Israel’s eyes wandered from God and shifted towards other nations. They were caught up in being like everyone else and demanded a king (1 Sam 8:19-20). Israel no longer saw God as their King nor acknowledged all that He did for them, or the battles He won for them. They had a worldly vision. As a result, they would receive the king they were looking for, but he would be a costly king who would take their sons, daughters, land, and best of their produce for himself.
In the end of this section, we are introduced to two different kings. There is Saul who began his reign with his focus on God (1 Sam. 10:9) but immediately lost focus on God’s commands when he was worried about his followers scattering from him. He became impatient and ended up losing his kingdom. Saul was no longer following God and God removed the Spirit of the Lord from him (1 Sam16:14) In contrast, there is David, the second king of Israel. David was not an obvious choice for king by man’s standards but God knew that he would be a king that would keep his focus on Him. When Saul and his armies were paralyzed by fear of an enormous giant, David fixed his eyes on an immeasurable God and ran in confidence to defeat the enemy. Once Saul realized that David was his replacement, he sought to kill him. Even though his life was threatened, David followed God’s lead and placed his faith in God’s timing and continued to look towards God. In the end, David became king and was known for being “a man after His own heart” (1 Sam 13:14, Acts 13:22)
As I read through these sections, God convicted me about my focus. Where is my focus? Where do my eyes drift? Do I start to look to my family, my friends, my circumstances, and my fears, removing my focus from God who is the only One who can make things clear? There is an old saying that comes to mind, ‘your eyes are windows to your soul.’ Where I turn my eyes and place my focus tells me and others about my heart and my relationship with God. Am I someone whose eyes are turned upon God and as a result, defined as being after God’s own heart? I want to be. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7b)
Kelly
P.S. Parents – be sure and read the 100 Day Challenge Kid Blog with your kids – click here
Kelly has the toughest job on staff… keeping up with Pastor Rob! She keeps him organized and makes sure Rob has everything he needs to keep running with the vision that God has given him for Southbrook.