Eyes on the Lord

Unto You I lift up my
eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens.
Psalm
123:1

Recommended Reading Joshua 3:1-7

On
November 18, 1978, 913 people died in the mass-murder-suicide at the Jamestown
colony in Guyana, home of the Peoples Temple. The dead were followers of Jim
Jones, the charismatic, self-appointed founder of the cult. Jones started out as
a minister in a mainline Christian denomination but lost his theological way,
proclaiming himself to be the incarnation of Jesus Christ and other religious
figures. Those who obeyed Jones' command to kill themselves did so because they
had taken their eyes off God and focused on a man instead.

When Joshua led the
Israelites across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land, he positioned the
ark of the covenant about 1,000 yards in front of the line of march. That was so
everyone could keep their eyes on the ark—those in the rear and on the sides as
well as those in front. Joshua wanted it to be clear that they were following
God, not him. And he wanted every single Israelite to be able to see
the ark. Too many times, people assume their leaders are following God without
checking to make sure.

It is your responsibility
to know God and His Word so well that you can maintain confidence in your
leaders' directions.

I charge you
before God and His blessed angels that you follow me no further than you have
seen me follow Christ.
John Robinson

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