It is remarkable how often the Bible makes reference to our ability to see. The contrast between righteousness and unrighteousness is illustrated by referring to light and darkness. The Bible uses the spiritual eyes of Christians walking by faith in contrast to those who walk in darkness. Our God wants us to use the eyes of faith to look upward.
David, whose heart was like the heart of God, gives insight into the source of his spirituality. How did he begin his day? Take time to read his words slowly and think about them. “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You and I will look up” (Psa. 5:3). Imagine how busy the life of the king of Israel was, yet he found time each day to look upward and spend time with God. How foolish are we when we get so busy that we cannot find time to look up to our God!
The prophet Micah also showed this same use of spiritual eyes. “Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me” (Mic. 7:7). Reading his description of Israel is like reading the description of America today. It was a land where men went to bed at night but not to rest. “Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it” (Mic. 2:1). Some men practice evil, but the prophet described Israel as those who “…successfully do evil with both hands” (Mic. 7:3). How did Micah deal with all of this? He looked upward to God, waiting for God to bring about His salvation. As you are filled with despair about all that is happening in this land, look upwards and wait for God.
The writer of Hebrews dealt with those whose faith was being challenged and who were tempted to turn away from God and choose a less demanding life. What illustration did he use to encourage them? He described life as being like a race. He urged them to lay aside every weight which encumbered them as they ran and to keep going onward with patient steadfastness. Then he said, “Looking unto Jesus…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” (Heb. 12:2). Instead of focusing on our own “crosses” and adversities, we should look upward to see our Lord seated in heaven. He never gave up, and we can look upward and see Him there awaiting our arrival.
So, when you are in the midst of trial, remember the examples set before us by David, Micah and the Lord. We are never alone, for He will never leave us or forsake us. Instead of looking outward at the problems, may God help us to look up. The eyes of faith see things which others will never see!