Focus on Faithfulness

Over the last month or so, I've shared the following thought in three different settings. And today (10/11/10), the principle surfaced again in my daily Scripture reading.

Here's the thought: God calls us to focus on faithfulness. Sometimes we're tempted to do or not do certain things in light of how people will respond to us. For example, we might do such and such if we think people will respond favorably to us, and at other times, we might not do such and such if we thing people will forsake us. But we shouldn't live with a focus either on being favored or forsaken by people. Rather, God calls us to live focused on faithfulness to Him. HE ALONE is our focus.

As I mentioned above, I encountered this truth in my daily reading today which was 2 Chronicles 28-30. In 2 Chronicles 28, we read about king Ahaz. Like many other kings, Ahaz "did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 28:1b, NIV). But after Ahaz died, his son, Hezekiah, reigned in his father's place. Now, Hezekiah sought to do "what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done" (2 Chronicles 29:2b, NIV). He cleansed the Temple and renewed its worship (see 2 Chronicles 29:12-36). Hezekiah also led the people to celebrate the Passover (see 2 Chronicles 30).

It's at this point that we encounter the principle of living with a focus on faithfulness. As Hezekiah sent out people to deliver an invitation to celebrate Passover, the invitation was favored by some and forsaken by others. Second Chronicles 30:10-11 describes the situation in these words: "The couriers went from town to town in Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but the people scorned and ridiculed them. Nevertheless, some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem" (NIV).

Isn't the point obvious? Hezekiah focused on faithfulness to God even though his invitation was favored by some and forsaken by others. Why? Simple: Faithfulness to the Lord was his focus. He didn't decide to do or not do things based on people's responses to his actions. Rather, he acted out of faithfulness to God alone because this was his sole focus.

So, how about us? Are we living with a focus on faithfulness? I hope we are every day. When we take a stand for Jesus Christ and Biblical truth, some people will favor us and some people will forsake us, but we're not living for their responses, either good or bad. We're living for an audience of One: Jesus Christ.

By the power of God's Spirit and according to the truth of His Word, let's live with a focus on faithfulness!

Blessings...