Psalm 25:15 - How to Give God Your Attention.
Psalm 25:15 (NLT) My eyes are always on the
Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my
enemies.
Psalm 25:15 (NCV) My eyes are always looking
to the LORD for help. He will keep me from any
traps.
Psalm 25:15 (TLB) My eyes are ever looking
to the Lord for help, for he alone can rescue
me.
COMMENTARY PEARL
When you were in junior high school, was
there someone you thought about all the time who
was totally oblivious to you? Its hard to
imagine that someone who occupied so much of your
thoughts could hold no space for you in their own
mind. But its happened to most of us at some
point, and it can be a painful experience.
Imagine how God must feel when he cant
get your attention. The Bible says hes
constantly thinking about you. It must hurt him when
you dont give him space in your thoughts
throughout the day.
God wants your attention! But how do you
give it to him? One way is this: When you pray
about something over and over, you give him your
attention.
One of the reasons God had particular
affection for King David is because David gave God his
attention all the time. David said, "My eyes are
always looking to the LORD for help. He will keep
me from any traps" (Psalm 25:15 NCV). That
means David was persistent in prayer.
Like King David, you face unexpected
traps every day. God is the only one who knows
them in advance, and persistent prayer is the
best way to steer clear of them.
When youre going up a mountain road,
its always helpful to be able to anticipate
whats ahead. But if you're stuck behind a slow
truck and can't see around the curve ahead, the
trip is frustrating. At that moment, how helpful
would a helicopter be to give you the all
clear to pass?
God is like that helicopter. He can see
what you can't see. He can see the traps you're
going to have this week, this month, and this
year. If you will give him your attention and
focus, hell go ahead of you and show you how to
avoid all of the traps.
The Bible says, "Seek the LORD and his
strength; seek his presence continually!" (Psalm 105:4
ESV) How often should you seek God? Continually.
Prayer is not something to be checked off a list.
It is an ongoing conversation.
Be persistent in your prayer. Keep
seeking God for his direction and help. Dont stop
talking to him! He loves your attention, and he is
ready and waiting to answer your prayers. [Daily
Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
It's difficult enough trying to grab a
quiet few minutes with God and His Word. But
sometimes it feels like you're running through an
obstacle course of distractions to get there. You
head toward your Bible or the Bible app on your
iPad, but find yourself checking Facebook first.
Or the headlines. Or the latest sports scores.
Or something totally unrelated to anything! Or
maybe you think a cup of coffee will help your
concentration, which leads to a snack - and before you know
it, the time has flown and you have to move into
your day without seeking the Lord.
Life has always been full of
distractions. But we truly need to connect with the Lord
and His Word every day. That's why today's
Scripture gives such an effective reminder when
distractions keep sidetracking us: "My eyes are ever on
the LORD, for only he will release my feet from
the snare." If we keep our eyes on Him, He won't
allow us to become tripped up or entangled in
trivialities.
Amen, Lord! I have spent too much time
filling my mind with worthless distractions and the
empty ways of this temporary world. Turn my heart!
Draw my attention. Rule my heart. I need to spend
time in Your presence, feeling Your nearness and
listening for Your voice. [A Spectacle of Glory by
Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby]
My family once was pet-sitting a friend's
hamster. One night, and we still have absolutely no
idea how, Houdini the hamster escaped his
escape-proof home and was loose in our house.
Unfortunately, we had traps set in various places for mice.
I'm sure you can tell this story doesn't have a
happy ending. The furry guy is in a better place
now. At least that's what we're telling
ourselves.
If you're not paying attention, you can
find yourself caught in the Enemy's snares the
same way. One minute you're scrolling through
Facebook, enjoying seeing pictures of your old
friend's Hawaiian vacation, and the next you're
resenting the fact that your day at the waterpark with
your kids can't compare. Next thing you know,
there's an empty Doritos bag next to the empty pint
of Cherry Garcia ice cream.
When we focus on what we don't have,
especially if we compare ourselves to others who seem
to have what we want, then we're walking into a
trap. Instead, we must keep our eyes on the Lord,
knowing that he guides our steps and will lead us
around the minefield of comparison, envy, and
covetousness planned by the Enemy. God always provides a
way through those traps, but we have to focus on
him.
Today avoid the Enemy's snares by keeping
your eyes on God and his abundant blessings in
your life.
Jesus, I'm not taking my eyes off you
today. You are my shepherd and you will guide me
safely through the temptations waiting ahead of me.
[Daily Power by Craig Groeschel]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
I am the Eternal I AM; I always have
been, and I always will be. In My Presence you
experience Love and Light, Peace and Joy. I am
intimately involved in all your moments, and I am
training you to be aware of Me at all times. Your
assignment is to collaborate with Me in this training
process.
I have taken up residence within you; I
am central in your innermost being. Your mind
goes off in tangents from its holy Center, time
after time. Do not be alarmed by your inability to
remain focused on Me. Simply bring your thoughts
gently back to Me each time they wander. The
quickest way to redirect your mind to me is to
whisper My Name. (Exodus 3:14; 1 Corinthians 3:16;
Psalm 25:14-15) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Psalm 105:4 - Seek God And His Strength
Continually!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150506-2119.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
