Notes of Faith November 8, 2024

Open My Eyes

Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Psalm 119:18

There is a difference between seeing physically and seeing spiritually. Most people can see physically with their eyes, but not all can see spiritually with their heart. God pronounced the closing of Israel’s spiritual eyes due to their sin (Isaiah 6:9-10), and Jesus confirmed the problem remained in His day (Matthew 13:13-15). The psalmist was aware of this problem, causing him to ask God to “open [his] eyes, that [he] may see wondrous things from [God’s] law.”

2 Tim 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Even as a Christian, we may approach God’s Word with biases, prejudices, and preconceived notions—failing to see what God needs us to see. Hebrews 4:12 explains that God’s Word is “living and powerful...and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” If we truly want God to search our heart (Psalm 139:23), we should imitate the psalmist’s prayer when we read the Bible: “Open my eyes.”

We will change over time as we imitate the psalmist’s practice of meditating on God’s Word “day and night” (Psalm 1:2) and take to heart what God shows us. It is the only way we can become “complete, thoroughly equipped” to please God (2 Timothy 3:17).

It is no advantage to be near the light if the eyes are closed.

St. Augustine

We must be in communication with God to have our “eyes” opened, through reading His Word (daily!), through prayer (continually, without ceasing!). We can live by what we see and be fooled into believing what is not true. But if God opens our eyes, we will see truth and be able to make righteous decisions and live a life pleasing to Him. “Open My Eyes, Lord” is one of my favorite choruses. Are you singing in your mind with me?

Pastor Dale