Keep your eyes on the Lord

“We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You….” 2 Chronicles 20:12

The night was impenetrably dark as an airplane took off into the charcoal sky. A pastor sat quietly in his seat . . .

“We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You….” 2 Chronicles 20:12

The night was impenetrably dark as an airplane took off into the charcoal sky. A pastor sat quietly in his seat on the plane reading a book. The light above him gave off a yellowish tint. And besides the whirring sound and the normal noises of the plane’s engine, all was somewhat silent.

Then, suddenly, turbulence began to shake the plane. A storm broke, and there were sudden dips associated with the thunderstorm. “Passengers,” the flight attendant voiced on the loud speaker, “Return to your seats… and please fasten your seatbelts.” There were screams and cries, as the plane was tossed up and down and from side to side. It was extremely hazardous for the storm had the potential to cause overstressing of the aircraft or loss of control.

Have you ever been in one of those impossible situations with no apparent way out?

Concerned, the pastor looked around at the worried and fearful passengers. Minutes passed, and it felt like the plane lost a thousand feet of altitude in the extreme downburst. It was overwhelming. The passengers felt powerless. Everyone was alarmed, and they wondered, “Will we make it to our destination safely?”

But out of the corner of his eye, the pastor saw a little girl sitting calmly in her seat holding her stuffed dolly. She was not upset at all. Rather, the girl sat alone peacefully and content. The pastor couldn’t believe it, and he watched her in awe.

About 15 minutes later, the storm passed. With a sigh of relief, the passengers settled down. And thankfully, in a short time, the plane landed safely.

But, before departing the plane, the pastor approached the little girl. Curiously, he asked, “Why weren’t you worried as we were going through the storm?”

Smiling with composure, the little girl replied, “My father is the pilot… I just thought about him and I knew he would get me to my destination safely.”

The little girl was in perfect peace, because she knew she could trust her father and he was taking her home. And no matter what is going on right now, we can trust God, our Heavenly Father, as well.

Therefore, turn your eyes to the Lord, and hear Him say, “I will never leave or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) “Let not your heart be troubled...” (John 14-1) “For I have not given you a spirit of fear, but I have given you a spirit of power and of love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7).

God has an ever-present supply of blessings for you. But you won’t see the blessings if you allow your heart to be gripped by worry or fear. In the Bible, I read where Judean King Jehoshaphat faced a dangerous enemy who was closing in on his nation. Yet, his faith wasn’t shaken. Jehoshaphat put his eyes on the Lord and prayed: “If disaster comes upon us, swords, judgment or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this temple and in your presence, for your name is in this temple, and we will cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear us and save us.” (II Chronicles 20:9).

In the midst of uncertainty, that’s what we can do, as King Jehoshaphat did. We can pray. God answers the prayers of His people. So, don’t worry and conjure up the worstcase scenario. Rather, concentrate on prayer. It’s been said, “It takes the same amount of energy to

pray, as it does to worry.” God is only a prayer away; He can turn around hopeless situations. God will see you through, and He will be there to help you. Thus, be patient, stay the course, and hang on… help is on the way!

A while ago on a television news station, I saw a dramatic dog rescue.

A German Shepard was stranded in the raging, rising waters of the Los Angeles River. Moment by moment, hour by hour, the distressed dog struggled to try to get to safety. But there was no way out. The dog was trapped. When I watched the video footage of the frightened animal scrambling trying to find its way onto dry land, the extenuating circumstances looked hopeless. And I asked myself, Where can help come from to safe this dog?

Well, in a short time, my question was answered, as help came from above.

I could hear the sound of a helicopter’s engine going into the isolated area, as it flew forward and then backward. And, incredibly, a brave fireman on a harness, hanging from that helicopter, was hoisted down close to the river near the animal.

The fireman reached out his arms and tried to grab hold of the scared dog with no success. Yet, the fireman didn’t stop trying. However, when he did get close to the dog, the terrified animal bit the fireman’s fingers. Undaunted, he attempted the rescue again. It took time. It took patience. It didn’t happen immediately. But the fireman was able to seize the dog! As he strongly held the large animal in his arms, they were both hoisted back up into the lateral helicopter. The dog was miraculously saved.