When You Open My Eyes

It was one of those mornings where the sense of a hinderance to praise and prayer was palpable!  There was things to be lifted up to the Lord that were urgent and a priority for that day yet my mind and heart lagged far behind – until, as always, the Lord in His mercy sent grace to help!  For, as I read a report of a persecuted sister somewhere in Asia and of the persecution she was enduring because of her faith in Lord Yeshua the Messiah, I was struck by her words: “but I trusted the Holy Spirit to guide me.”  The Lord stirred me within through this powerful testimony of this dear sister in the Lord and began to direct my thoughts upon Himself and His word.  It was as I continued in this meditation that like a torrent the following flowed out of my heart:

When You Open My Eyes

When You open my eyes,

the eyes of understanding

the eyes of Your faith.

Then I can look upon You – and see.

You – who are the Author and Perfector of my faith;

You – who are my High Priest in Heaven and Advocate;

You – who intercedes for me in Heaven;

You – who are my wisdom, righteousness and sanctification;

You – who are the Son of the living God, The Word who is with God and is God;

You – who are far above all principality, power, might, dominion and every name that can be named;

You – who has washed me in Your blood and made me clean;

You – who made propitiation for my sin and have reconciled me to God the Father;

You – who are making a place for me in the Father’s House and will call me Home when it’s ready;

You – who are able to keep me from stumbling and present me blameless before the presence of God;

You – who are with me always by Your Spirit.

Then I know peace and joy and am comforted with the hope which You give, as I look to You.

Then I am content in the midst of continuing distresses of life;

Only when You open my eyes – that I may see You.

The words from Hebrews 12:1-2 almost immediately followed, coming into my thoughts and meditation, and reading verses 1-3 was also as though a seal upon the grace of God that morning.  It says this:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who endured such hostility for sinners against Himself, let you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Consider Lord Yeshua. Consider this text and allow this wonderful truth of God to sink in as you look to Lord Yeshua.  What might He open your eyes to see?

Not for the first time, have I been reminded of the dangers of taking our eyes away from the Lord and looking too long at others, or worse still, ourselves! The words of Corrie ten Boom given during a message she once gave came to mind just then.  She was a Gentile Dutch sister (now Home with the Lord) who hid Jewish people during the Holocaust and, after enduring a concentration camp where members of her beloved family died and years of ministry serving the Lord, said this:

‘Look around – and be distressed;

Look within – and be depressed;

Look at Jesus – and be at rest.
(‘A Field Under Heaven’ message by Corrie Ten Boom, still available on YouTube)

May the grace of Almighty God in and through Lord Yeshua His Son enable us all so to do.

Until He comes or calls, shalom and God bless you.