Look From the Place Where Thou Art
To overcome self-doubt and achieve faith, we must fix our eyes on God and trust in His promises.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the blessedness of faith, urging believers to overcome self-consciousness and focus solely on God rather than their own limitations. He illustrates that fear and doubt can hinder faith, comparing the journey of faith to traversing dangerous mountain passes where one must continually look up for safety. Simpson encourages a steadfast gaze on the Author of faith, advocating for a heart fixed on God without faltering or fear. By shifting our focus from ourselves and our circumstances to the Great Giver, we can fully embrace God's promises and experience true faith.
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Let us think for a moment of the blessedness of faith. Our own littleness and nothingness sometimes becomes bondage. We are so small in our own eyes we dare not claim God's mighty promises. We say: "If I could be sure I was in God's will I could trust." This is all wrong. Self-consciousness is a great barrier to faith. Get your eyes on Him and Him alone. Not on your faith, but on the Author of your faith; not with a half look, but with a steadfast, prolonged look, with a true heart and fixedness of purpose that knows no faltering, no parleying with the enemy and not a shadow of fear. When you become fearful you are almost sure to fail.
Travelers who have crossed the Alps know how dangerous those mountain passes are, how narrow the foothold, how deep the rocky ravines.
They know how necessary to safety it is that they look up continually. One downward glance into the dizzying depths might be fatal. So if we would surmount the heights of faith we must look up-look up. Take your eyes off yourself, off surrounding circumstances, off means, off gifts, and turn them to the Great Giver.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Self-Consciousness
- 'The Solution: Fixing Our Eyes on God'
- The Importance of Faith
- Faith is necessary to surmount the heights of faith
- Looking up to God is crucial for safety and success
Key Quotes
“Get your eyes on Him and Him alone.” — A.B. Simpson
“One downward glance into the dizzying depths might be fatal.” — A.B. Simpson
“Take your eyes off yourself, off surrounding circumstances, off means, off gifts, and turn them to the Great Giver.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must learn to take our eyes off ourselves and our circumstances and focus on God.
- Faith requires a steadfast and prolonged look at God, not a half-hearted or fleeting glance.
- Looking up to God is essential for safety and success in our spiritual journey.