“Under His feet was something like pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself.” Exodus 24:10 (NIV)
You know how easy it is for your mind to wander while praying or praising Jesus. I have found something that has really helped me to focus on the throne, upon the God of glory! I know it may seem a bit odd, but it works for me. I have noticed that when I close my eyes, and focus on the inside of my eye lids, I will see colors start emerging. And one color tends to stand out, it is an amazing shade of blue, like sapphire. When I become distracted I am not aware of the colors. But when I focus, the colors become quite clear, and I intentionally gaze into the blue. As I do it usually moves around and grows, increases in size. And when I see this, I mediate and focus upon the throne of God and His glory.
The Bible is quite clear that the burning One who sits upon the Throne which has the appearance of sapphire blue (Ezekiel 1:26, 10:1). So, when I focus my eyes on the blue, I fix my mind and attention upon the One on the Throne. As I pray and praise Him, I think upon the One who is seated upon the sapphire Throne. And this has a powerful, life-changing impact! We are told that as we gaze, behold, reflect and/or meditate upon the glory of God, we are transformed into Christ’s likeness from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). In other words, we are changed and glow with His glory as we spend time looking at, and thinking upon His Him and His glory!
Take time today to fix your eyes on the One who seats on the sapphire Throne! Ask Him to show you ways to better keep your focus on Him. Feel free to try looking at the inside of your eyelids. Don’t rush through, just the discipline of looking with your eyes closed can help you focus. Ask the Lord to transform you into Christ’s likeness as you gaze upon His beauty, even if it is “through a glass dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Thank Him for making access for you to come and gaze upon Him like this. Pray for your pastor to desire to spend time gazing on the glory and fixing his eyes upon Jesus, simply absorbing His beauty and splendor (Psalm 27:4). Pray that the knowledge of the glory of God would cover our city as the waters covers the sea (Habakkuk 2:14), starting with you, your pastor and church, and the churches across our city that are pressing into Him.
