The love of God is something that we sometimes take for granted. To put it in perspective, let’s use a romantic couple for example. When the relationship is new, they usually find spending time with each other very fulfilling and, I dare say, exciting. They interact frequently in an effort to get to know one another and become closer. As time passes, they become very familiar. They know each other’s habit patterns and mannerisms, and sometimes they begin to take each other for granted. This is where division can creep in and damage their relationship. As Christians, if we’re not extremely careful, the same thing can happen with our relationship with Heavenly Father. We become so comfortable in His grace and mercy, that some of us begin to take His love for granted.
Taking something or someone for granted means that we are not valuing it or them appropriately. It also means that we are assuming the things we have counted on in the past will always remain as they were. This is a very dangerous thing in any relationship, because honor and reverence are very important building blocks. Our Heavenly Father is the Creator of the universe and everything in it. We can never allow this to happen in our relationship with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ.
In 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NLT), King David said, “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.” This is the God that we serve and worship. He is King of kings, and everything falls below His omnipotence and majesty. It is an honor to love and be loved by such a wonderful God as our Heavenly Father, and He rewards those who place themselves under His guidance. He covers them in His blessings.
Whatever we focus on is going to grow. This is why God tells us in Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) to “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Whether it is love or hate, faith or fear, anxiety or peace; wherever we place our focus, it’s going to cause the object of our attention to expand and increase. When we get into a pattern of allowing other things to take precedent over our relationship with God, we will forfeit the covering and protection His love offers.
God warns us so often in His Word to stay alert and to pay attention to what He is doing and how He is working in us through Jesus Christ. This requires that we remain attentive to God, seeking His counsel and advice. It means that we develop a pattern of asking Him before we make decisions and choices; of praying often, and just having a conversation with Him every day. God is interested in the details of our lives. He’s concerned about everything that happens with us. The Book of Genesis tells us that He communed with Adam and Eve often, and that He delighted in them. He enjoyed their company, and He enjoys us so much that He placed His Spirit on the inside of us, and sealed us with His love.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus Christ tells us to seek the Kingdom of God first. You and I cannot live our destiny and walk in purpose without being led and guided by God through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We will betray ourselves over and over again if we do not keep our eyes focused on Him. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s masterpieces, created anew by Him in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the great things that He has destined for us. He created us in His image. We are in Him, and He has given us His Spirit to live abundantly. This is the spiritual wealth that is ours to claim, but we have a responsibility to nurture it by keeping our focus on God, and not taking His blessing and covering for granted.
In Romans 3:10-18 (NLT), Heavenly Father gives us a glimpse of what it looks like when people turn their backs on Him and ignore His guidance and leadership. It says, “10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 all have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” 13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.” 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “They rush to commit murder. 16 Destruction and misery always follow them. 17 They don’t know where to find peace.” 18 “They have no fear of God at all.”” In a blink of an eye, life can turn very dark, because we are not reverencing God as He deserves. The enemy will use this to cause division, stress, lack and confusion in our lives.
Our God is constantly on the move. Lamentations 3:22 tells us that His steadfast love never ceases, and His mercies never end. Verse 23 tells us that His mercies are brand new each morning. We should always expect that He is going to show up in the most amazing way and do the exceedingly abundant in our lives. This is why we should keep our hearts and minds locked on Heavenly Father, and never let our focus shift. Don’t underestimate the power of God, and never take Him for granted. He wants to do a new thing in your life, and bring new blessings and new mercies every day. Don’t miss out!
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Keep Your Focus on God” written by JMack. 4theChristianMan.Com© 2017. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.