Today's Word of Encouragement
May 2, 2020
EYES WIDE OPEN
Saturday, May 02, 2020
Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law (Psalm 119:18).
How wonderful are the Scriptures! In the ‘Gimel’ (G) section of Psalm 119 (vv.17-24), the psalmist celebrates the Word of God for the knowledge it provides in directing his life, and for the strength and comfort it gives him in times of difficulty and persecution. But the natural man cannot see such things. To him, Scripture is poetry, law, history, and legend. It takes the opening of one’s eyes to see the marvelous truths in God’s Word that transform a life.
In 2 Kings 6:8-23, Aram (Syria) was at war with Israel. The prophet Elisha repeatedly informed King Joram of the Syrian army’s battle plans. King Benhadad (Syria) set out to capture Elisha. He sent his army in the night to Dothan, where Elisha lived. When Elisha's servant (Gehazi) went out in the morning and saw the Syrian army surrounding the town, in fear he said to Elisha, “What are we going to do?” Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” He then prayed the Lord would open Gehazi’s eyes to see the reality of the situation. As he looked, he saw the mountain upon which Dothan stood full of fiery horses and chariots (the army of heaven) all around them. The army of Syria was struck with blindness and led to Samaria (the capital of Israel) where they were fed and released.
The Word of God contains truths that are amazing, awesome, and appealing; things which are secret or hidden from the common view. There is a spiritual depth to the Bible that casual readers just can’t fathom. Just like the diver cannot explore the depths of the Mariana Trench without an exploration submarine, so the human mind cannot explore the depths of the Word of God without the aid of the Holy Spirit who inspired it. May the words of Clara H. Scott be our prayer as we continue to study the Word of God daily.
Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit Divine!
Pastor Martin