“Grandpa, look,” said my grandson as he attempted to get my attention while I was driving. As dangerous and distracting as diverting my attention would be, he nonetheless had the faith to get it. Why do kids crave attention? They are eager to show adults what they are working on and their accomplishments, and as they are doing something, they desire a nod of approval. Attention seeking is not unique to children; generally, almost everyone seeks support and attention. Why? As a rule, most want to be accepted.
“I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man, so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant and teach me thy statutes.”
Humble Faith
The psalmist humbly asked for God to look at himself so that he may receive mercy (to be accepted). He asked the Lord to provide an understanding of the Word so he may know what steps to take while asking God not to let iniquity dominate him. This type of humility gets God’s attention. James 4:6 teaches us that “God resists the proud, giving grace to the humble.” In Matthew 5:5 it says, “Blessed are the meek [humble], for they shall inherit the earth.” In other words, he gives unmerited favor to those that humble themselves; they are very fortunate and well off.
Tassel Thread Faith
Out of anyone to seek attention from, God is the preeminent person to pursue. A typical New Testament theme is faith, which gets God’s attention. For example, Mark 5:25-34 tells a beautiful story of a woman with a perpetual menstrual cycle for over twelve years. As Jesus passed by, she had the faith to believe that if she just touched his tassel, this ailment would leave her. The moment she touched the hem of his tassel, she was healed. She never intended to distract the Messiah, but it seems that her faith aroused virtue within the Lord, which had gone out of Him. Her faith is what got his attention, not her flesh. His response to her great faith? “Daughter, your faith hath made you whole.”
Blind Faith
Words spoken can also get the Lord’s attention. For example, Matthew 9:27-29 tells us of two blind men who resorted to yelling to Jesus for help. Unlike the woman with the issue of blood, they could not see to touch the hem of his garment. But they could call on his name. Their verbal antics got Jesus’ attention, and he asked, “Do you believe I can do this?” Sometimes, our request will yield a question from the Lord. The answer to His query reveals our level of faith. Because they answered affirmatively, they received their sight. Their words proved their faith.
As mentioned, getting God’s attention can be the ultimate pursuit. Revealing your heart to the Lord in meditation and Bible study brings his blessings to your spiritual journey. In crises, saying, “God, look,” is the best thing someone could do. Something to consider, however, is that God always looks. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Not only is our good before him, but our evil also arrests His attention.
Sinking Faith
The disciples went with Jesus on a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. As is typical, turbulent winds rolled down the hills causing the lake to be disturbed. Luke 8:22-25 teaches us that the disciples feared dying in the storm while Jesus slept soundly in the boat’s bow. They must have thought, “We are about to die in this storm, and the Lord is napping. What is that all about?” Have you ever felt like that, wondering where God was during duress? Jesus responded by speaking to the sea to be still while rebuking the wind and his faithless followers, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Their lack of faith got His attention.
Restless Lack of Faith
While Moses was on the mountain of the Lord receiving God’s commandments, the people below grew restless. According to Exodus 32:7-14, the Israelites corrupted themselves by creating idols, proclaiming that the molten calves they made brought them out of Egypt. Their ungratefulness and faithlessness stirred the wrath of God. Verse 9 says, “I have seen these people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.” Thankfully, Moses, like Jesus, advocated on behalf of the rebellious crowd and was able to spare their lives. Their lack of faith got His attention.
Peter's Faith
Peter gave us a great example of getting God’s attention due to faith and a lack thereof. Matthew 14:22-32 provides us with the account:
- The disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and thought he was a ghost.
- Jesus responded and said, “Don’t be afraid; it is I.”
- Peter answered the Lord, saying, “If it is you, let me walk on the water with you.”
- Upon Jesus affirming his request, Peter walked on water by faith.
- Upon becoming fearful of the wind, he began to sink. Peter clearly lost his faith.
Faith That Gets God's Attention
Repeatedly, scripture demonstrates that faith and fear capture the Lord’s attention. Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, “Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” As children, we must come to the Lord saying, “Lord, look! Look at my faith. Look at my failures. Look at my trials. Look at my lack of understanding.” The Lord blesses this type of meekness. “But the fearful and unbelieving… shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.” Revelations 21:8.
I heard Myron Golden say we are just making it up as we go. Whatever narrative we create in our minds will be our reality. I would add that whatever we believe, will get God’s attention. We’ll reap God’s favor if we have faith in God’s omnipotence. If we believe God is not omnipotent and that failure is imminent, we’ll reap God’s disfavor.
Turn to Jesus today. Turn your fear into faith and your unbelief into child-like faith.
