Sunday, May 20, 2007
Regaining the Right Focus
Sometimes in life we get burdened and feel like giving up. But before we give up, we need to realize that the mind is Satan’s major battleground, and often times we just need to stop and get things back in perspective. It’s not that God’s plan for your life has changed or that God’s promises have changed – it’s just that Satan has twisted our feelings, emotions, and circumstances to shake our faith. We take our eyes off of Jesus, and begin to falter. The storms of life can cause us to lose our focus. Today we are going to examine Psalm 73 to help us get the right perspective back, at times when our faith has been shaken and we feel like giving up.
(Read Psalm 73:1-12)
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” This is what the wicked are like – always carefree, they increase in wealth.
1) FOCUSING ON OTHERS LEADS TO DEPRESSION
Many times we lose our perspective by focusing on the people around us. I don’t mean focusing on them in terms of serving others (which is a good thing) – I’m talking about envying others, comparing our lives to others, etc. This can happen in any aspect of life – academic, financial, spiritual – we as humans have an amazing ability to turn just about anything into a competition and begin to get jealous of those who we perceive to be better or more fortunate than us. The grass always looks greener in someone else’s life, and we end up discouraged and depressed when we do this. We feel like we are missing out, or that God is withholding something from us that we’d like to have. We feel like others are getting away with things, and/or are getting “ahead” of us – and it can even cause us to resent the time and energy we spend serving God. This can also happen as a ministry when we focus on other churches, instead of the unique mission/vision/purpose that God has given us. But remember – you weren’t called to be someone else, you were called to be you… and I.S.I. Ministries wasn’t called to be some other ministry, we were called to fill the unique niche in ministry that God has carved out for a multicultural, Bible-centered ministry right here at 122 East Escalon. So don’t focus on others!
(Read Psalm 73:13-14)
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in vain I have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
2) FOCUSING ON SELF LEADS TO DISAPPOINTMENT
Focusing on ourselves is just as unhealthy. Not only does it lead to a self-centered perspective, but we will inevitably end up disappointed. Sometimes we feel like our service for God is in vain, because we are focusing on what we are getting out of it instead of what we are giving. That is the opposite of what our focus should be. Sometimes we feel like the trials we are going through are unfair and unusual (almost like God is breaking the 8th Amendment) even though He has explained the bigger picture in His Word. We begin to look out for our own comfort and our own convenience, and we lose sight of the role that trials and tribulations play in the sharpening of our faith and the development of our character.
(Read Psalm 73:16-20)
When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
3) FOCUSING ON GOD WILL HELP US REGAIN THE ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Notice the transition here: when the Psalmist entered the sanctuary of God, and focused on Him instead of himself or others, suddenly the clouds lifted and his vision cleared. When focused on God, the Psalmist could remember the big picture – the eternal perspective. When God comes into the picture, suddenly everything begins to make sense and fall into place. The people whose lives we envy are not getting away with anything, even if it looks like it on this earth – life is about eternity, not the temporary. Those earthly things mean nothing when placed side by side to the Almighty God. Suddenly even our sufferings come into context in light of eternity and God’s purposes. Focusing on God sounds so simple, but is so powerful… and yet is so easy to forget to do when other things crowd into our lives.
(Read Psalm 73:21-22)
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
4) FOCUSING ON GOD WILL REMIND US WHO WE REALLY ARE
When we are not focused on God, we define and measure ourselves in ways that don’t matter, and that leave us frustrated. We end up sad and bitter. When relying on our own mind, no matter how smart we think we are, we are ignorant in God’s sight. But in God’s presence, we are reminded of our identity in Him, and the unique and important plan that He has custom-designed for our lives. Our true identity is in Christ. He takes away our grief, our bitterness, and our ignorance – cleans us up, equips us, and takes our ordinary selves to do extraordinary things for Him.
(Read Psalm 73:23-24)
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
5) FOCUSING ON GOD WILL REMIND US WHO HE REALLY IS
When we are trying to do things ourselves, apart from God, we lose sight of who He really is – another source of our depression and discouragement. We forget about His love and start accusing Him of “child abuse” as if He’s some kind of sadistic master. One of the quickest ways to get depressed is to forget who God is. However, as we focus on Him and we remember His amazing love, we realize that He’s been right there reaching out to us the whole time. As we hold His hand and receive His guidance, we are flooded with His love and wisdom, and we remember who He is, what He did – and how that impacts what we do every day.
(Read Psalm 73:25-28)
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
6) FOCUSING ON GOD WILL REMIND US WHAT WE REALLY HAVE
Often times in life we focus on what we don’t have, and we end up spending large portions of our life dissatisfied, murmuring, and complaining. But when we focus on God, we remember what we really have when we have Him in our lives. Nothing on Earth even holds a candle to Him. The world has nothing to offer that matches up with what we receive from Him. He is our strength, our refuge, our purpose, our protector, and the one consistent One who is always there for us no matter what. We can do ALL THINGS through Him who gives us strength!
Conclusion:
As we leave here today, I just want to encourage you to get your focus off of yourself, stop comparing yourself with other people, and stop letting Satan play games with your mind – guard your mind through Christ and His Word, and focus on Him. Keeping your eyes fixed on God will give you the encouragement you need to overcome Satan’s attacks and to get busy doing God’s eternally valuable work with a sense of urgency! Today is the day to regain the right focus, and get out there to be God’s salt and light that we were called to be…
(Read Psalm 73:1-12)
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?” This is what the wicked are like – always carefree, they increase in wealth.
1) FOCUSING ON OTHERS LEADS TO DEPRESSION
Many times we lose our perspective by focusing on the people around us. I don’t mean focusing on them in terms of serving others (which is a good thing) – I’m talking about envying others, comparing our lives to others, etc. This can happen in any aspect of life – academic, financial, spiritual – we as humans have an amazing ability to turn just about anything into a competition and begin to get jealous of those who we perceive to be better or more fortunate than us. The grass always looks greener in someone else’s life, and we end up discouraged and depressed when we do this. We feel like we are missing out, or that God is withholding something from us that we’d like to have. We feel like others are getting away with things, and/or are getting “ahead” of us – and it can even cause us to resent the time and energy we spend serving God. This can also happen as a ministry when we focus on other churches, instead of the unique mission/vision/purpose that God has given us. But remember – you weren’t called to be someone else, you were called to be you… and I.S.I. Ministries wasn’t called to be some other ministry, we were called to fill the unique niche in ministry that God has carved out for a multicultural, Bible-centered ministry right here at 122 East Escalon. So don’t focus on others!
(Read Psalm 73:13-14)
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in vain I have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
2) FOCUSING ON SELF LEADS TO DISAPPOINTMENT
Focusing on ourselves is just as unhealthy. Not only does it lead to a self-centered perspective, but we will inevitably end up disappointed. Sometimes we feel like our service for God is in vain, because we are focusing on what we are getting out of it instead of what we are giving. That is the opposite of what our focus should be. Sometimes we feel like the trials we are going through are unfair and unusual (almost like God is breaking the 8th Amendment) even though He has explained the bigger picture in His Word. We begin to look out for our own comfort and our own convenience, and we lose sight of the role that trials and tribulations play in the sharpening of our faith and the development of our character.
(Read Psalm 73:16-20)
When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
3) FOCUSING ON GOD WILL HELP US REGAIN THE ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Notice the transition here: when the Psalmist entered the sanctuary of God, and focused on Him instead of himself or others, suddenly the clouds lifted and his vision cleared. When focused on God, the Psalmist could remember the big picture – the eternal perspective. When God comes into the picture, suddenly everything begins to make sense and fall into place. The people whose lives we envy are not getting away with anything, even if it looks like it on this earth – life is about eternity, not the temporary. Those earthly things mean nothing when placed side by side to the Almighty God. Suddenly even our sufferings come into context in light of eternity and God’s purposes. Focusing on God sounds so simple, but is so powerful… and yet is so easy to forget to do when other things crowd into our lives.
(Read Psalm 73:21-22)
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
4) FOCUSING ON GOD WILL REMIND US WHO WE REALLY ARE
When we are not focused on God, we define and measure ourselves in ways that don’t matter, and that leave us frustrated. We end up sad and bitter. When relying on our own mind, no matter how smart we think we are, we are ignorant in God’s sight. But in God’s presence, we are reminded of our identity in Him, and the unique and important plan that He has custom-designed for our lives. Our true identity is in Christ. He takes away our grief, our bitterness, and our ignorance – cleans us up, equips us, and takes our ordinary selves to do extraordinary things for Him.
(Read Psalm 73:23-24)
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
5) FOCUSING ON GOD WILL REMIND US WHO HE REALLY IS
When we are trying to do things ourselves, apart from God, we lose sight of who He really is – another source of our depression and discouragement. We forget about His love and start accusing Him of “child abuse” as if He’s some kind of sadistic master. One of the quickest ways to get depressed is to forget who God is. However, as we focus on Him and we remember His amazing love, we realize that He’s been right there reaching out to us the whole time. As we hold His hand and receive His guidance, we are flooded with His love and wisdom, and we remember who He is, what He did – and how that impacts what we do every day.
(Read Psalm 73:25-28)
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
6) FOCUSING ON GOD WILL REMIND US WHAT WE REALLY HAVE
Often times in life we focus on what we don’t have, and we end up spending large portions of our life dissatisfied, murmuring, and complaining. But when we focus on God, we remember what we really have when we have Him in our lives. Nothing on Earth even holds a candle to Him. The world has nothing to offer that matches up with what we receive from Him. He is our strength, our refuge, our purpose, our protector, and the one consistent One who is always there for us no matter what. We can do ALL THINGS through Him who gives us strength!
Conclusion:
As we leave here today, I just want to encourage you to get your focus off of yourself, stop comparing yourself with other people, and stop letting Satan play games with your mind – guard your mind through Christ and His Word, and focus on Him. Keeping your eyes fixed on God will give you the encouragement you need to overcome Satan’s attacks and to get busy doing God’s eternally valuable work with a sense of urgency! Today is the day to regain the right focus, and get out there to be God’s salt and light that we were called to be…
