Development of Focus
By Pastor Mitch
September 14, 2018
One of the things that we can read about in the Songs of Ascents is the development of focus. As the pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem, this series of psalms were not just songs for them to sing. They were also meant to help them focus so much more on the Lord God.
- Psalm 120 – The challenge to focus on God
In my distress I cried to the Lord…” Psalm 120:1
The Psalmist was going through a situation where he was in distress. He was struggling with dwelling away from Jerusalem and had become influenced by those who hated peace. He sought the Lord to deliver him from those who had a deceitful tongue. He was challenged to focus on the Lord.
- Psalm 121 – Learning to focus on the Lord
I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
As the pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem, they were able to find encouragement from the hills that they saw. The Psalmist was inspired to focus his eyes on the Lord God who made heaven and earth. He was able to employ his theology of God. He learnt to focus on the person of God who is a constant source of help.
- Psalm 122 – Expanding one’s focus to worshipping the Lord
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1
The Psalmist’s focus was now on Jerusalem, which represented the presence of the Lord. David was able to expand his focus. He found mutual encouragement from those having the desire to be in the house of the Lord to joyously worship Him. His focus had expanded to giving thanks to the Lord’s name.
- Psalm 123 – Concentrating one’s focus to serve the Lord
Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God until He has mercy on us…” Psalm 123:1-2
The Psalmist had come to possess a greater focus on the Lord God. There was now no need to look to the hills for him to draw inspiration. He was concentrating his focus on the Lord in serving Him. He looked to God with the eyes of a servant. As servants look at the hand of their master and as maids look at the hand of the mistress, so the Psalmist also concentrated his focus in waiting on Him. He patiently waits for the Lord to bring about mercy on him. He was going through a time where he was filled with contempt. There were those who were scornful and yet they were at ease. He had a greater focus on the Lord in service. Let’s also learn to concentrate our focus on the Lord in service.
