Focus Divine

October 14, 2025

See your problems through the lens of God's word rather than your limited perspective.

When troubles surround us, our natural response is to fixate on our problems. But the Bible teaches us a powerful alternative: focusing on God rather than our circumstances. This meditation explores how shifting our attention to God's character and promises can transform our approach to life's challenges.

The Light of Life

"Light of life", when this light is activated in our lives, it brings healing, grace, peace, goodness, mercy, and favor. David gives us the key to activating this light:

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in God." - Psalms 56:3

Notice David doesn't say "if" but "when" he is afraid. Fear will come, but our response determines our outcome. The antidote to fear is trust in God.

Seeking God in Trouble

In 2 Chronicles 20, we find King Jehoshaphat facing a dire situation. His response provides a powerful template for us:

"Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set himself determinedly as his vital need to seek the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." - 2 Chronicles 20:3

When confronted with fear, Jehoshaphat made seeking God his vital priority. He didn't just casually turn to God; he "set himself determinedly" to seek the Lord. This deliberate focus on God rather than the problem became his strategy.

The king also proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. This wasn't just an individual response but a collective one. When the leader sought the Lord, the people followed:

"And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord." - 2 Chronicles 20:4

The True Purpose of Fasting

Many misunderstand fasting as a way to manipulate God into action, like a spiritual hunger strike to force God's hand.

"Basically you were saying, 'Oh yeah, I'm going to go do this one so that it is like I'm going to shake the Throne of heaven and then make sure God gives me something.' So they think, 'Okay, let me cut down my meals and do this and this, let's see something happens.' But it's not the fast."

This common misconception treats fasting as a transaction rather than transformation. The transcript directs us to Isaiah 58 for a deeper understanding:

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" - Isaiah 58:6-7

Fasting is giving food to those who are hungry, bringing caring for the homeless people and cover the naked.

True fasting isn't about depriving ourselves to get God's attention. It's about disciplining our flesh to focus completely on God. When we fast, we're training ourselves to live "not by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Fasting doesn't have to be only about food. You can fast from anything that controls or distracts you from God, such as social media or digital screens. The purpose is to clear away distractions and focus intently on God's word, His promises, and His faithfulness.

Approaching God with Praise

When Jehoshaphat gathered the people to seek God, notice how he approached the throne:

"Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new courtyard, and said: 'O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? Do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, and no one is able to withstand you.'" - 2 Chronicles 20:5-6

He didn't immediately launch into his problem or demand a solution. Instead, he connected his situation to who God is. He reminded himself of God's character, power, and faithfulness through generations.

This approach differs dramatically from our typical prayers. We often rush to tell God about our problems as if He doesn't see them, or we question why He allowed difficulties in our lives. But God isn't in the business of approving problems for us. He's in the business of helping us overcome them and turning bad situations into good.

Connecting Problems to God's Character

Jehoshaphat's prayer teaches us to relate our problems to God's word and character. By addressing God as "the God of our fathers," he acknowledged God's faithfulness across generations, reminding himself that the God who kept promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would keep His promises now.

By declaring God as ruler "over all the kingdoms of the nations" with "power and might" in His hand, Jehoshaphat recognized that no power could stand against God, including the problems he faced.

When we connect our problems to God's character and promises, we begin to see them differently. The mountain before us becomes small in the presence of the Mountain Maker. The enemies threatening us shrink before the King of kings.

Seeing Through God's Perspective

The sermon emphasizes that we should not see our problems with our own eyes but through the lens of God's word. When we focus on God's attributes, our problems are put into proper perspective.

Jehoshaphat didn't even mention his specific problem in the beginning of his prayer. He simply praised God and lifted up His name. This teaches us that when facing difficulties, our first response should be to focus on God's character, power, and faithfulness.

Conclusion

The next time trouble surrounds you, resist the urge to magnify your problem. Instead, magnify your God. Remember He is the God of your fathers, faithful through all generations. Remember He is the King of kings with all power and might in His hands.

As the sermon concludes: "At the day of trouble, seek the Lord and glorify, magnify who God is rather than magnify your problem." Remember the God of our fathers, remember He is the King of kings, remember in His hand are might and power, remember He has given you authority and power through Jesus.

No problem can withstand you because God is with you.

Reflect on This

1. What current challenge in your life needs to be viewed through the lens of God's character and promises rather than your own perspective?

2. How might practicing true fasting (setting aside distractions to focus on God) change your approach to seeking God's help?

   
   

Prayer

I declare that You are God in heaven, ruling over every situation in my life. All power and might are in Your hands, and nothing can stand against You. I shift my focus from my problems to Your promises, from my fears to Your faithfulness. I thank You that I am not alone in my struggles, for You are the God of generations who has been faithful to all who came before me. I choose to magnify You rather than my problems, knowing that no situation can withstand Your power. Thank You for Your strength that makes me an overcomer in every circumstance. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Key Takeaways

• When fear comes, deliberately set yourself to seek the Lord as your vital need.

• True fasting is about disciplining your flesh to focus completely on God, not manipulating Him to act.

• Approach God by acknowledging His character and faithfulness before presenting your requests.

• See your problems through the lens of God's word rather than your limited perspective.

• Remember that the God who was faithful to generations before will be faithful to you today.

  
  

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To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.