WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSING ON?

God assured Abraham that his offspring would be as the sands of the sea. Even though Abraham was old and had no child or children from Sarah, he never looked at or considered that. Of course He did not understand how such a thing could be possible, but he made up his mind to keep looking and holding on to God's Word as the truth, till it was fulfilled.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Passion Translation (TPT) 'because we don't focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.'

There are two perspectives mentioned above. The first focuses attention on the things that are already seen with physical eyes. The second requires a focus on what is not yet seen in your life or world, meaning the spiritual realities. The things that are visible to the natural eyes in this life may be for a moment. Paul describes them as temporary or transient. But the things which cannot be seen yet are eternal. This also has to do with our claims in the written Word of God and our expected desires.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV), 'for we walk by faith, not by sight.' To walk by faith effectively, we have to been trained through the Word to gain the Word perspective so we can firmly believe what God has said concerning our situation even when we haven't seen it yet. When you walk by sight, you can doubt God's Word regarding any matter or situation. To walk by sight is to look to and believe that which we can see and physically experience at the moment meant for expectation.

For instance, Abraham was told by God to expect a child from Sarah even though she was barren. When God hinted at His plan to give him a son, Abraham was 75 years old. But Abraham and Sarah waited for 25 years before the fulfilment of God's promise. This means that he was 100 years old when Isaac was born. This is what the Scripture said about Abraham: 'He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform' (Romans 4:20-21 KJV). In other words, he refused to look at the medical condition of her wife, Sarah, which represents 'the things that are seen'.

While waiting, many friends would've told Abraham that it would never be possible for Sarah to give birth, let alone expect to do so at a very old age. However Abraham refused to stagger or give up on the promise. There would've been times of pressure, considering the circumstance. Also many would've tried to convince Abraham that his expected unseen reality 'could never be actualised' in the physical. For many today, we have to see it and be able to experience it first in order to believe that its real. What a self limiting perspective! So with spiritual short-sightedness and limited mindset, we judge what is seen as more real, instead of standing on the Word, to possess the unseen reality, or see it's fulfilment in our lives.

To live and walk by faith, you must allow the eyes of your heart to be enlightened by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17-18 KJV). In Christ, we've been given spiritual eyes, which empower us to know and grasp ahead, things that can't be physically seen yet. We've all been given a measure of such faith ( Romans 12:3 NASB). We've all had an intuition or expectation that hasn't been naturally proven, but we have the Holy Spirit who guides us with higher perspective that far exceeds the ordinary plane of life, in order bring those desired expectation to pass.

Sometimes, while in the process of believing and exercising faith in God for something, you may encounter taunts or invite derision or get ridiculed. Other times you could demonstrate zeal, which can be interpreted as being out of one's mind. Whatever the case is, take time at such times to pray and meditate on the Word, so you can remain focused on that which is unseen. Also ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of your heart, so you can see the desired expectation clearly, stay on track and remain unmoved till manifestation.

Reference: Mark 11:24; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 11:1-7; 2 Peter 1:3.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for revealing to me the unseen realities and enabling me to pursue them by your Spirit, instead of focusing on that which is fleeting and temporary. As I reflect on the importance of looking to that which is unseen, I allow the Scriptures to fill my heart with a longing to live by faith and to declare faith-filled words that manifest my desired reality, according to your perfect will, in Jesus' Name, Amen!