The Scriptures compare the rushing of many waters, to multitudes of peoples and nations (Revelation 17:1 and Isaiah 17:12).
The roaring, rushing sounds of many waters is a great description of the tumultuous events of this world.
If you have stood on the bank of a rushing, turbulent river, or gazed out over the expanse of a stormy ocean with its roaring waves, then you know how mesmerizing the sight can be. As frightening as it can be, the sights and forceful sounds of the roaring, rushing waters can hold us captive.
This absorbing sight of turbulent waters is very similar to the things happening in this world.
The disruptive and troubling events can hold us captive, dragging us into its foaming, fearful, splashing noises.
With all the turmoil happening in the world, it is very difficult to look beyond the earthly environment. The disturbing events of this life hinder our focus. It is easy to become disturbed and depressed by what is going on around us, and thus overlook God’s eternal purposes!
Much of the turmoil is so grieving! – causing so much heartache! Can anyone make sense of these days that are the ‘perilous times’ the apostle Paul spoke of (2Timothy 3:1-2a)?
Only a retreat into Father’s presence can bring any comfort. I must remember His call to fellowship with Him, or else I will wallow in depression and hopelessness.
We must remember that Father calls us to lift up our eyes to the unseen realm of His Kingdom – 2Corinthians 4:16-18.
Yahuwah Elohim [the Hebrew name for the LORD God] desires us to focus our vision upward, above the earthly events! Father desires His children to look at the unseen – the things that are above:
If then you were raised with Messiah, seek those things which are above, where Messiah is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your affection [your concerns, your interests] on things above – not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)
As this passage teaches, Father tells us to set our affections — our concerns, our attachments, our heart — on the things that are above, where Messiah is, Who is seated next to the Father.
Father wants our focus to be on Messiah — Who is “above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion” (Ephesians 1:20-23).
King Jehoshaphat was a man who looked above to the unseen realm:
And Yahuwah [the LORD] was with Jehoshaphat,
because Jehoshaphat walked in the first ways of his father David,
and he sought not unto Baalim;
But Jehoshaphat sought to Yahuwah,
the God of his father, and walked in Yahuwah’s commandments …
Therefore Yahuwah established the kingdom in Jehoshaphat’s hand …
Jehoshaphat’s heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahuwah….
(2Chronicles 17:3-6).
As this passage shows us, Jehoshaphat’s heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahuwah [the LORD].
That means Jehoshaphat was focused on Yahuwah. His heart was courageous and eager to fulfill Yahuwah’s Word. Jehoshaphat’s eyes and heart were on the Ruler of the unseen, heavenly Kingdom.
Though Jehoshaphat made his mistakes [as we all do], overall he kept his heart and concerns on the Father’s Words. He rose above the swirling events of his earthly circumstances. His heart focused on the powerful, almighty Yahuwah Elohim (Jeremiah 32:17)!
This is God’s desire for all His children: that our hearts would be lifted up unto the ways of Yahuwah! This is how we begin to walk by faith, not by sight!
Father’s plan for our well-being is that we would keep our eyes on Him, the One Who cares for us and wants us to trust Him:
As the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters,… so our eyes look unto Yahuwah Elohim (Psalms 123:2).
We look to Him with anticipation, eager to hear His guidance. With our affections firmly on Him, our heart becomes determined to walk by faith, doing those things that please Him.
We look to the eternal, unseen things of Yahuwah’s Kingdom because He is our Keeper, our Protector, our Shepherd! We look to Him daily to receive His guidance and comfort! (Psalms 121:5; Psalms 109:31; see also Psalms 23).
If our affections and concerns are set on the unseen realm, we can begin to prepare ourselves for Father’s eternal Kingdom – we come into harmony with HIS plans and purposes.
When we are looking to the things that are UNseen, we begin to cast aside the things that hinder our fellowship with Father. The sweet comfort of the Holy Spirit follows us as we seek first God’s eternal Kingdom and His righteousness.
Chosen Out of The World
Yes, we do live in this earthly realm. But this life, with its troubles and shame, is not our goal.
Yes, we are in the world, but we are not of the world . . . because we have been chosen out of the world, as Messiah Yahushua [Jesus] told us (John 15:19).
God is very aware of the wicked things that go on in this world. And one very significant Day, He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness. His purposes will prevail: “for God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14; see also Isaiah 3:11; Psalms 33:11; Isaiah 46:8-10; Proverbs 19:21).
Father’s over-riding plans will triumph because He is the Judge of all the earth, and will do what is right (Genesis 18:25; Psalms 98:9).
If our heart is fixed on Yahuwah, trusting in Him to bring us to His heavenly Kingdom , then we will not be afraid of this world’s troubling events. Instead we will begin to see ourselves as we truly are — “strangers and pilgrims on the earth!” — ‘just passing through!’ (Hebrews 11:13; see also Psalms 112).
But it is not easy!
It is a battle to stay focused on the things that are above! Troubles whirl all around us. ‘Looking upward’ seems impossible.
But with Father’s help, we can fix our eyes on the unseen things – we can begin to have a sense of walking above the distressing, troubling waters of this earthly life. He will strengthen our resolve to “do that which is right in the eyes of Yahuwah [the LORD]” (1King 22:43; 2Kings 22:2)!
We set our affections on the things above in order to understand Yahuwah’s ways and purposes. We set our affections on the unseen things, so we can depart from our selfish foolishness and prepare ourselves for the Day of our Bridegroom’s return. We lift up our eyes and our heart unto our Mighty One, crying out for His help to get us through this journey and stay faithful to Him.
Yahuwah is Mightier
When our focus is on the unseen things of above, Father builds within us a confidence in His almighty power:
Yahuwah [the LORD] on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. (Psalms 93:4)
The heavenly Father is mightier than the rushing, turbulent noises of this earth!
Looking to Him in every circumstance, keeping our focus on Him, taking hold of His promises – this is what it means to ‘set our affection on things above!’
Let us begin to look above to the unseen realm of God’s Kingdom! Little by little, we will learn how to love Him better, how to better endure, and how to know His strength on our behalf – The eyes of Yahuwah [the LORD] run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect [committed] toward Him. (2Chronicles 16:9a).
This lifetime is a journey that requires our ever-present Comforter to bring us through safely, and reach The Goal of our faith — the salvation of our souls! We desperately need His help along the way! Setting Yahuwah always before us is central to knowing His help and comfort (1Peter 1:8-9; 2Thessalonians 3:3)!
“There are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul. He who concerns himself about things other than those things which lead to salvation is very unwise. Oh, the dullness and hardness of heart of a man who looks only to the present instead of preparing for that which is to come! Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul.” —Thomas à Kempis
Let us determine to lift up our heart and soul unto Him! Let us begin to acknowledge Him in all our ways, even in our confusion and pain. He will cause us to know His ways (see Psalms 16:6-11; 32:5-8; 143:8)!
Let us cry out to Him, the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, Who is high above all the earth!
Dear Thirsty Soul, set your affections above, and keep looking to the unseen realm of His Kingdom!
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Related Articles:
- First the Natural, Then the Spiritual
- Trusting in Yahuwah With All Your Heart
- Walking in Newness of Life
- Let Us Follow On to Know Yahuwah
- Oh That I had Wings Like a Dove
- Fight the Good Fight of Faith
- The Way of the LORD
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Cold Waters to a Thirsty Soul
Cold Waters to a Thirsty Soul 
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