Don't Look Around; Look At Christ!

"Men's hearts failing them for fear,

and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth..."

- Luke 21:26 -

I was so struck when I read this verse yesterday morning.  It immediately took my mind to the following passage.

"But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him, they were troubled; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  And he said, Come.  And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sin, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased."

- taken from Matthew 14:22-32 -

When we keep our eyes on the Lord we can walk with strength and confidence through places we could never walk otherwise.  It is when we start looking around at the waves, at all that is happening around us, that our strength fails, we are overcome with fear and our hearts fail and we faint.  It is our lack of faith that causes us to doubt.  Our lack of confidence causes us to waver.  Yes, sometimes the waves are big and we feel the force of the wind around us.  We feel like we are walking only fictitiously on water, but in reality our feet are set solidly on the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ.  Let us keep our eyes steadfastly set on Him!  We don't need to look around.  All we need to see is Him.

"In thy light shall we see light."

- Psalm 36:9b -

"Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

- Luke 18:1b,8b -

~Brittany

Powerful Quotes

"I believe that the happiest & truest of Christians

are those who never dare to doubt God,

but take His Word simply as it stands."
~ Charles Spurgeon ~

"God has so made man's heart that

nothing can ever fill it but God Himself."

~ Charles Spurgeon ~

~Brittany

If thou but suffer God to guide thee,

And hope in Him thro' all thy ways,

He'll give the strength, what-e'er betide thee,

And bear thee thro the evil days;

Who trust in God's unchanging love

Builds on the rock that naught can move.

Obey, thou restless, heart, be still

And wait in cheerful hope, content

To take what-e'er His gracious will,

His all discerning love, hath sent;

Nor doubt our inmost wants are known

To Him who chose us for His own.

Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways;

But do thine own part faithfully.

Trust His rich promises of grace,

So shall they be fulfilled in thee.

God never yet forsook in need

The soul that trusted Him indeed. Amen

Georg Neumark (Catherine Winkworth, Translator)

Inter-Varsity Hymnal

~Brittany

How Can We Doubt?

How can we doubt?

When I think of all God hath said

How can I doubt this path I tread?

If I should doubt, then is He wrong?

Or do I think that He's not strong?

Forbid it Lord and let me know

To Thee all praise and honor owe

I think sometimes I know the way

And then get caught amidst the fray

Sometimes God gives me many pains

So I would let Him have the reins

Sometimes my Jesus hides His face

So I can see 'tis by His grace

He's always there whate're I think

And He will never let me sink

When by His grace He sees me through

And bids to all my fears "adieu"

What glorious day when I am done

And then I'll see Him, Christ the Son

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart

And don't trust yourself to start

Don't on your understanding lean

But unto Him who is unseen

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will keep you from your sin.

- S.J.L. -

~Brittany