As 2020 draws to a close, we begin reflecting on the events of the year. This year has been humbling for many and has hopefully taught us many lessons. Once again, many have learned that they are not in control and that they don’t understand things as well as they thought. There is only one sovereign in all of creation, YAHWEH (God the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit).
For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. (1 John 5:7 NKJV)
At the beginning of 2020, many people came forward with their visions for the year. These visions were based on what they felt in their heart. Some were bold enough to say that the vision they were given was from God. As the year unfolded, the visions and hopes of many failed. That is not to rub salt in their wounds but to call to attention the fact that sometimes our feelings and desires do not line up with the plans of YAHWEH. Some people have learned that they have deified their imagination and simply need to humble themselves and repent and examine their heart. YESHUA the Christ says this,
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. (Matthew 6:19-22 KJV)
To summarize those verses, Christ is telling us that the systems and treasures of this present world are vulnerable to corruption and if you put your hope and trust in them you are also vulnerable to corruption. On the other hand, if you hope and trust in His Word and His kingdom, your expectation will not fail because He is faithful and true, and His testimonies are sure. So, if your vision is single, meaning undivided in focusing on the things of GOD alone, then you will be filled with light, which is the truth and life of GOD. The “eye” in verse 22 is symbolic of your mind, the container of your awareness. Your vision represents what you are aware of. It makes sense then that you will be aware of primarily what you are focused on or what occupies your mind. Here is what YESHUA teaches about your condition if you allow your focus to become adulterated with the treasures and cares of this present world.
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:23 KJV)
Only GOD is life and truth and good, therefore He commands that our focus remains totally on Him for our own good. When we focus on things outside of Him, we are focusing on things that are evil in nature and dark. We have all been raised in a world which overruns with darkness because the hearts of so many have been compromised from a single focus on the will of GOD.
If you have been shaken by the outcome of 2020 it is evidence that you are not as aware of the things of GOD as you need to be. The impact of COVID-19 on the world has been tragic, but not an expectation of those who trust in Christ the Savior will fail because their expectation is of GOD, anchored in eternity. Death cannot hold those who rest in Christ because they will awaken again at His call, just like Lazarus. As a result of COVID-19, I was furloughed and eventually released from my job, but I must testify that YAHWEH has not failed to provide for my every need through His grace and mercies in Christ as I look to Him for my next assignment. My focus and expectation are of GOD who alone is my provider and protector and preserver of my soul, and my life. Therefore, He has kept my mind in peace, and I have not been shaken though death is all around me and the world quakes.
As we enter the last month of the year and 2021 approaches, let us make sure we go forward in the full assurance of understanding that our lives rest in YAHWEH alone. King David says it well,
5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Psalm 62:5-8 KJV)
Sanctify your mind by shifting your focus completely on GOD and trust only in Him so that you can be filled with light. This is part of taking up the cross of Christ in putting to death the rudiments of this world which compete for your affections, so that you can delight in the Lord. Be sure to take this mind with you into the new year and into each new day that greets you.
theinscribedheart 
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