Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters…, so our eyes look to the Lord our God… —Psalm 123:2

This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (see Isaiah 53:1). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. We wrongfully think, “I suppose I’ve been stretching myself a little too much, standing too tall and trying to look like God instead of being an ordinary humble person.” We have to realize that no effort can be too high.

For example, you came to a crisis in your life, took a stand for God, and even had the witness of the Spirit as a confirmation that what you did was right. But now, maybe weeks or years have gone by, and you are slowly coming to the conclusion— “Well, maybe what I did showed too much pride or was superficial. Was I taking a stand a bit too high for me?” Your “rational” friends come and say, “Don’t be silly. We knew when you first talked about this spiritual awakening that it was a passing impulse, that you couldn’t hold up under the strain. And anyway, God doesn’t expect you to endure.” You respond by saying, “Well, I suppose I was expecting too much.” That sounds humble to say, but it means that your reliance on God is gone, and you are now relying on worldly opinion. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. Only when God brings you to a sudden stop will you realize that you have been the loser. Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God, and change or remove it at once.

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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord,
These points sound good and we agree with them more than ever… But working them out daily all day long is still problematic. I find that I start well and then the distractions of the day get me off track. I’m reminded of your parable of the seeds planted on the various types of ground. First you tell the story, Your guys don’t really get it, then you explain it to them in Matt 13:19–

The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

I see all of the mentioned types of soil in my life. But rarely do I see “good soil” and 30-60-100 fold returns on a long term and consistent basis.

We talk about Surrender and we do surrender. But it doesn’t seem to last. Especially in areas where we are competent… it’s like we say, “OK, thanks, Lord, I see what you’re saying, Now I can take it from here.” And off we go, running amuck. What’s up with that? Why can’t we surrender and stay surrendered?

Surrender is not only an event. It is a process. A continuing process. Even a lifestyle. If it remains only an event, you will continue doing just as you described and bounce back and forth between surrender and hanging on to your normal and worldly thinking. Part of your problem is how you define surrender in general. You see it as “losing” in the game or the wrestling match. Since you are so programmed to strive and compete and excel, you tend to fall back into that thinking and that mode as soon as you relax. Try this: Think of surrender as “getting set free” from those burdensome ways of thinking. They only lead to stress and missing the mark. Then you can maintain our connection longer and stronger. When one of the normal worldly thoughts creeps back in, rather than welcoming it, and jumping back on to the stress wheel, since it feels normal, you can see it as it is: an intruder into our connection. One to be reprimanded, sent away, and escaped from. Try thinking like that and let’s talk again tomorrow. Today, regularly check your “peace meter” If you are being successful at this way of living… your peace meter will show it. Regardless of the circumstances.

OK thanks

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