This world is full of temptations. Even in the stillness of night, there are many things that clamor for our attention. Jesus offers the true remedy. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right had of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2. This alone is our only safe course.

* Look away from others. There are numerous joys obtained during fellowship. As the songwriter wrote, “For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent child, friends on earth and Friend above, pleasures pure and undefiled, Lord of all to thee we raise, this our songs of joyful praise.” There are many ways that family and friends can benefit us, but we are born with a need which no human being can supply. Having experienced the variability of humans, most can understand the similarity with the weather. At one moment one may be greeted by loving support or soothing approbation, only to encounter derisive heckling the next. “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man in whom is no help.” Psalm 146:3. Look not to him for endorsement or rebuke. “[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8. We have an unmoving lighthouse whose beacon of light will never go dim. This Light, although possibly gently rebuking or sympathetically encouraging, always knows what words would best enable our growth and “with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Look up to Jesus.

* Look away from difficulties. If you are running a race and spend your time lamenting the potential hills and rocks on the path you will never win the prize. Nothing is more detrimental to growth than anticipating unrealized difficulties. "He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.” There is quite a difference in the successful and the unsuccessful man. Looking from the harbor at the white- capped waves, one is frightened by the crests and never ventures from the shore. The other looks at them and prepares to meet them. Difficulties? They are only things to be overcome. The climber who looks down will, in many cases, go down. The only safety is to look up to Jesus.

* Look away from yourself. Groaning over past and present faults and weaknesses will not make you stronger. Self-examination is an important practice that provides insight on lifestyle changes that may need to be instated. But there are few more widely causes of imperfect and unprogressive Christian lives than the habit of always looking at ourselves and recounting to ourselves our own failures. This is not the way to gain strength. Look up to Jesus.

* Consider yourself challenged to daily spend time contemplating all aspects of the life-changing Immanuel, “thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer.” The “Lamb of God,” yet “King of Salem, the “Son of man” and Messiah, the “Lord our Righteousness” and “Lord God of hosts,” the “beloved Son” is the “Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” “The bright and morning star” alone can sear the eyes, so that the things of earth will continually grow dim. Look up to Jesus. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace. Look up to Jesus.

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For the Beauty of the Earth by Folliott S. Pierpoint
James 1:17
Ecclesiastes 11:4
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 60:16
John 1:29
Genesis 14:18
Matthew 16:13
Daniel 9:25
Jeremiah 23:6
Hosea 12:5
Matthew 3:17
Isaiah 9:6
Revelation 22:16
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen Lemmel