The Upward Gaze of Faith
Fix your eyes above—faith thrives when we look beyond ourselves to the Giver.
Devotional Credit:
Days of Heaven on Earth by A.B. Simpson
Photo Credit:
Photo by Unsplash
Sometimes we shrink under the weight of our own inadequacy. We imagine that if we were more spiritual, more certain of our place in God’s will, then perhaps we could really trust Him. But today’s devotional from A.B. Simpson reminds us that this thinking is backwards. Faith doesn’t begin by looking inward for certainty—it starts by looking upward in surrender.
Simpson shows us that self-consciousness is often the very thing that blocks us from faith. When our focus rests on our own smallness, our flaws, or even our faith itself, we lose sight of the One who is always faithful. The key is not to monitor how well we are believing, but to lock our gaze on the Author and Perfecter of faith—Christ Himself.
Simpson uses the image of climbing narrow Alpine paths to drive home this point. A single downward glance into the valley below could cost you everything. In the same way, in our journey of trust, we cannot afford to look down in fear or look around in comparison. Instead, we are invited to keep looking up—above our needs, beyond our emotions, and past our circumstances—to the One who gives the promise and fulfills it.
Today’s encouragement is simple but firm: look up. Don’t try to qualify yourself. Don’t wait until your faith feels strong enough. Fix your eyes on the One who has already called you, equipped you, and gone before you.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
Beloved, you were not called to walk by sight, but by faith—faith that comes not from your striving but from My life within you. You are not the source of faith; I am. I have authored it in you and I will complete it. The more you look at yourself, the more unstable your steps become. But as you behold Me with unveiled face, I transform you from glory to glory.
Lift your eyes. I have not placed you in My will to confuse you—I have brought you into union with My Son. You are already in Christ, and in Him, all the promises of God are yes and amen. You don’t need to generate confidence. You need only to gaze steadily at Me. My Word is a lamp for your feet, My Spirit guides your heart, and My presence goes before you.
Even now, I am drawing your eyes upward. I know how loud the voices of fear can be. I know how natural it feels to measure your capacity, to scan your circumstances, or to wonder if you’re enough. But My child, you are not walking alone. I am in you and with you. Fear flees where faith looks up.
Come—let go of the need to prove anything. Let go of the urge to measure your faith. Set your mind on things above, where Christ is seated. Fix your eyes on Jesus. He is your path, your footing, and your future.
Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:1-3; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Romans 10:17; Psalm 119:105; John 14:16-17; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 34:4-5; Romans 8:9-11; Matthew 14:29-31; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 1:6
Real-Life Analogy
Imagine walking across a narrow wooden beam suspended just a foot off the ground. It’s easy. You laugh as you stride across it without thinking. Now imagine the same beam stretched across two city buildings. Suddenly, every step becomes tense. You don’t look at the horizon—you look down in fear. But what if, instead, your eyes were fixed on a steady guide waiting for you on the other side?
This is how faith works. When we gaze at Christ, not the drop beneath us or the shakiness of our own footing, we discover that His presence keeps us steady. Today, whatever your circumstances—whether a hard conversation, a risk at work, or an unknown future—pause and fix your eyes on the Lord. Rather than trying to muster faith, quietly yield and say, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life through me in this moment, looking only to You.”
Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You for lifting my eyes beyond my limitations. You have already given me every spiritual blessing in Christ. I trust Your promises—not because I’m strong in faith, but because You are faithful. I rest in Your presence, confident that You lead me, carry me, and fulfill every word You’ve spoken. Today, I look to You alone—my Author, my Anchor, my Guide.