DAILY "MANNA" DEVOTION: Having a Good Focal Point.
Reading Time: 2 mins. 57 secs.
Scripture Readings: 2 Kings 18-19:1-37.
Read Last Devotional: Being Easily Broken.
Day 17
I love pictures. And one of the things I love about pictures is taking them. Now, I'm not a pro or anything like that, but I know that sometimes a good picture means having a good focus on your target.
Sometimes, because I am an amateur, when I take pictures I may accidentally snap one that was out of focus of what I was intending to highlight and I will go and delete it.
This annoys me. You know why?
I'm sure you do.
It comes out too fuzzy or blurry and one can barely make out what I was trying to take a picture of in the first place. So I would attempt to retake it but this time being careful to have a good focus before I snap the picture.
What's really special is taking pictures of those things we generally wouldn't put a focal on such as the wilted flower in midst of the gorgeous blooming flowers. Now that would be a good shot there!
But sometimes, as Christians we tend to see our problems this way and feel that this is the way we should view life by focusing on the "wilted flower" in our lives, so to speak.
focusing on the wilted flower may make an awesome picture but if you want an even greater photo we can try to take the photo with all of it in it, the wilted flower and the pretty blooms! This is the million dollar shot! (Well, at least back in the day it would've been).
If just focusing on the wilted flower, we only see the problem. But if we were to put the focus on the blooms in midst of the wilted flower, too, we see God!
So all of it matters.
When King Hezekiah was being taunted by his enemy, King Sennacherib, he began to focus on the strength of this enemy. In fact, he focused on this so much that God had to send words of encouragement to him twice in order for him to understand the Lord was with him!
It's okay to be discouraged because of our problems, but when our problems are the only thing we are focusing on, here is where we err.
We must also see God in the midst. God is greater than any circumstance in our lives. He is able to cease raging storms, cause mountains to bow at his name, He is omnipotent and omnipresent! God is in control!
He has your back no matter what is going on in your life. He stands as the blooms in midst of your wilted flower. God wants to show forth is power and might in midst of your situation.
So, what is your focal point on today? Is it the problem or the Lord in midst of the problem?
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for being who You are in midst of my struggles, problems, and fears. I believe who You are but help my unbelief when life's storms begin to hit. Lord, I ask that You would open my eyes to have You as my focus and not just the problem. I thank You in Jesus' name. Amen!
Quiet time meditation: Wait for the Lord to minister to you personally on what He may want to say to you. Be sure to pay attention to any areas that may pop up in your spirit (even silly things such as: how quick you may be to get angry with things or a friend or family member who has been bugging you with their problems.) This process could take anywhere from 10-30 minutes or longer. But, try not to rush this because you could be missing out on a great breakthrough. Within this quiet time, the Lord wants to restore you in any broken areas and he wants to replenish your spirit for what has been used up.
Understanding what He means: This is a time to jot down some of those things the Lord has ministered to you while in meditation. Sometimes, the Lord will wait to speak to you throughout your day. Pay attention and jot these things down so that you won’t forget. You may even come up with more scriptures that may come to mind.
Read Next Devotional: When Grief Steals the Show!
May the Lord bless your day abundantly!