Day Sixteen "Eyes Toward the Lord"

“My eyes are continually toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.” [Ps. 25:15]

One thing we can know for certain. Satan does not want the church of God revived. To take that a little closer to home that means that he does not want you or me revived. If we can go our about business as usual all is well. If we get revived we become powerful tools in the hand of God to oppose the kingdom of darkness.

So he seeks to ensnare us. Temptations are everywhere. If we get tripped up and trapped, we will not be effective. If we give in to temptation we cannot be revived as long as we remain there. Satan is crafty. He can come from many different angles disguised as an angel of light. He is cunning and deceptive in addition to being relentless. He exists to oppose God at every turn.

I love how the Psalmist combats this fact. He keeps his eyes continually toward the Lord. Constantly, day after day, David turns his gaze toward God. Perpetually, night after night, he sets his eyes toward the Lord. When David did this God protected and preserved him.

One fateful night David did not turn his eyes toward the Lord. He let his eyes fixate on a woman bathing. David lusted and acted on that lust. What was the end result? He committed adultery. Bathsheba became pregnant. He had Bathsheba’s husband killed in battle. The baby died and David dealt with internal strife in his home the remainder of his days. All of this could have been avoided if David would have just kept his eyes toward the Lord that night.

That is crucial for all of us. Temptation often shows up when we are weak and vulnerable. All it takes is a moment for us to let our eyes wander from the Lord onto the many distractions of this present age. I cannot cast stones at David for I too have let my gaze wander and have found myself in rebellion against the Lord. You have too. Maybe it was not the same sin, but sin of any kind is offensive to the Lord. Any of us is capable of blowing it. We might lose our temper, utter a careless word, have a bad attitude, eat some forbidden fruit like Adam and Eve, and see something as more desirable than God. This is the trick that suckered Adam and Eve.

Anytime we let our gaze drift from beholding God we are headed for trouble. Here is the good news. When Satan has tricked us and we find ourselves caught in his net, God is more than able and willing to pluck our feet out and deliver us. God is our exit out of the sinful sloppy messes we get ourselves into. He is our Deliverer, Rescuer and Savior. Set your eyes on Him anew today.

Steps to Revival

1. In what areas are you facing temptation? Where is your gaze? Where have you set your eyes?

2. Where are you most vulnerable? In what area are you weakest?

3. Turn your eyes back to the Lord. Is there anything more desirable to you than God?

4. Ask the Lord for the strength, resolve, and wisdom to keep your eyes toward Him at all times.

5. If you have failed and find yourself in the Devil’s net, ask the Lord to be set free.

6. How can you fight against those moments when you, like King David, turn your eyes away from the Lord and face temptation?