“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:8
There is such a thing as intensity when one speaks of faith. It is that refusal to look at other things when one is looking at Christ. Why? Because in that vision of Christ is the source of all faith, as He is the author and finisher of it. When Stephen was being assailed by his enemies, he gazed “stedfastly” into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the God. That vision would prepare him for what was to come, for in seeing the Son of man “standing,” he knew that Jesus was intently looking at him, to meet him in his our of trial in the face of his enemies. That gaze of Christ was enough to give him strength, not only to face death, but to pray, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and also, with a loud voice to cry, “…Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” (Acts 7:60)
When David wrote Psalm 16, he expressed something of the necessity of the intensity of one’s gaze, by declaring: “I have set the Lord always before me.” (v.8) Why did he confess this reality, dicipline and effort. Because in that gaze and maintained vision of God, there was the reward of faith, even faith given to appropriate the Lord Jesus as one’s stability in the storm. He would then declare and profess the reality that, “…because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” God became to David, not just the omnipresent, Sovereign Lord of all, but the very PRESENT help in time of trouble.
When Peter got out of the boat in the storm, following the Lord’s command, he began to walk on water, as the Lord was doing. As long as that gaze was fixed on Jesus, faith was given for the appropriation of Christ’s ability and power to do that which was humanly impossible. It is important to note here that, as in the days of Elijah, when the Lord did monumental things in answer to faith, He always did so, “according to His word.” Christ would work in Peter’s behalf in like manner. As long as the Lord was set before Peter, with Peter’s gaze fixed on Him, faith would ovecome all obstacles. Only by looking away from Christ did faith falter, and Peter would begin to sink into the waves.
In the Scripture’s presentation of those mentioned in what might be called the “Hall of Faith,” as mentioned in Hebrews, chapter eleven, we find that there is a specific application to those who would run a like-minded race, and fight a good fight of faith. It would be possible, as the author writes, not only to lay aside every weight, and the sin that would so easily beset us, but to set oneself to run, “looking unto Jesus.” (12:2) It is in that fixed gaze upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of faith, that His strength, and His joy is communicated to the believer. Just as He became a living reality to David, a present help and sustainer to Stephen, an enabler for Peter, and finally the One who alone can meet the different needs of all believers, so He can be such to us today, if we too will fix our eyes, and the eyes of our hearts, upon Him. Practically speaking, how is this to be done?
It begins first in aloneness with God, in His sanctuary, that place of singular worship of Him. As Christ is worshipped in Spirit and truth, His presence and His person become a distinct, confirmed reality to the heart. Also, in the vision, faith is communicated to the believer to rise, go forth, and follow Him.
Secondly, God has given to us by the Spirit not only the resources and strength to look unto Jesus, but to deliberately do so in a very clear and effective manner. Rejoicing in Christ, we are called upon to thankfully give Him access to everything.
Dear Father, Strengthen our stedfast gaze. In Jesus’ name, Amen.