From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2003 6:18 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: Blessings to All

"For my eyes are toward Thee, O God, the Lord;
 In Thee I take refuge..."  Psalm 141:8

Where have our eyes been this last week?  It is probably safe to say that they have often been on the TV news channels watching the progress of the war.  How much better to do as the Psalmist does in today's Scripture as it directs our focus, our vision, in the right direction.  Let's look at some of the many things Scripture has to say concerning our vision.

"Vision Dominates Life" as one Bible reference states.  The following helps to clarify this: Looking backward not only impedes progress, but can end it.  A dramatic example is Lot's wife as we see in Genesis 19:26, "But his wife, from behind him, looked back; and she became a pillar of salt."

Looking to Christ we find salvation:
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life." John 3:14-15

Looking at difficulties can cause one to be fearful (depressed, dejected,
downcast) as we see in Peter when he looked at his circumstances: "And He (Jesus) said, 'Come!'  And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out saying, 'Lord, save me!'"  Matthew 14:29-30

Looking heavenward we see glory as with Stephen in Acts 7:55: "But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God."

Jesus makes very clear the importance of the eye of the Believer.  It is Jesus who said, "The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness..."  Matthew 6:22-23

Looking backwards, looking a circumstances keeps us from looking Christward and developing spiritual vision.  And concerning spiritual vision we see that: It is given in answer to prayer: "Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.'  And the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 2 Kings 6: 17 (This was when the king of Syria sent a great army to get Elisha, but God's protection was in place.  Elisha's eye were heavenward, but the servant's eyes were on the circumstances.)

Afflictions prepare us for spiritual vision:
As we see in the Book of Job, all his afflictions brought him to the place where he could say to the Lord, "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees Thee."  Job 42:5

A pure heart is essential:
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."  Matthew 5:8

The Holy Spirit reveals it to us:
"He (the Spirit of truth) shall glorify Me; for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.  All the things that the Father hath are mine; therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine and shall shew it unto you." John 16: 14-15

It was faith that gave Moses' spiritual vision as we see in Hebrews 11:27, "By faith he (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen."

Heavenly vision beholds the glory of things to come as we see in the following verses: "As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness (rightness, justice, and right standing with You); I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake [to find myself] beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You].  Psalm 17:15 The Amplified Bible

"Your eyes will see the King in His beauty..."  Isaiah 33:17

"Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou has given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou has given Me..."  John 17: 24

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then faced to face;  now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13: 12

And this Scripture just fills my heart with awe!  "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be.  We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is."  1 John 3:2

As with the Psalmist let Psalm 141:8 be true of us:
"For my eyes are toward Thee, O God, the Lord;
 In Thee I take refuge..."
Amen!