Deliverance or Defeat?

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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

My mind is centered on three scenarios from Scripture this morning. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, Daniel in the lions den, and Peter walking on the water. All five were in life threatening situations and needed God’s intervention and deliverance. The flames did not have an effect on the first three. Not even the smell of smoke was on them when they were removed from the furnace. Daniel was removed after a night with the lions without so much as a scratch on him. And then there is Peter. After a few successful steps he sank. And yet when he cried out to Jesus, his deliverance came. What made the difference in these situations?

I believe part of the answer lies in the focus of each person. It is my belief that the three Hebrews and Daniel were more focused on their Deliverer than their dilemma. This was going to be the case no matter what the outcome was. Peter, like so many of us at times, looked away from His Savior and focused on the storm. What could have been a walk of victory quickly became a harsh lesson in the law of gravity.

Two days ago, God showed me some specific steps to take in order to obtain freedom in a certain area of my life. As He revealed what needed to be done I was overjoyed to cooperate with Him because I knew it would lead to my deliverance. What will be the conditions for success? Continued obedience, reliance upon Him, and keeping my focus on Him. You see, I can spend my days looking at the very things I am stepping away from and focus on the ache that still comes at times, but that will only lead to discouragement and defeat. God has a better plan! Keep looking to Him and remembering the goal! Keep reminding myself it will lead to the freedom I desperately want and keep picturing what that freedom will eventually feel like. He will equip me with everything I need to get through this time of adjustment. The desire for freedom has finally become stronger than the fear of letting go.

Father, You knew when my cry for help went from being a mere desire to stop experiencing pain to an actual longing for freedom. Keep the view of Yourself and the promise for deliverance astutely in front of me at all times. Amen.