August 16 – Eyes Opened By God

“Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.” – Psalm 119:18 (NASB)

It was in 1895 that Clara H. Scott wrote the now traditional hymn “Open my Eyes.” It was inspired by more than one Psalm but the verse we have today likely inspired the first stanza of the hymn. If you are familiar with the hymn you know how it can stick in your mind*. Our verse brings to us the promise of wonderful things from God’s Word. But we need to have our eyes opened. Notice we say opened, not open. Even if we have our eye open, it is only when they are opened by God's Word that we can understand what God has in store for us. God’s Word is full of things for us to have to build our relationship with Him. If we looked at the next verse, we hear the psalmist plea that God’s commandments not be withheld from him. Our time on this earth is a sojourn. Our birth into God’s family by His grace and mercy makes us strangers to this world. We need God’s Word to navigate through. We ask God to “Open our eyes,” because without His help, we are blind to His way and His blessings.  

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*Open My Eyes the first stanza and the chorus.

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!

Listen:  

 

September 10 – Opening With Expectations

“I, the Lord, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10 (NIV)

The heading of our verse informs us that this Psalm was written by Asaph, one of the primary song writers in the time of King David.  

It is instructed to be played with a gittith, a simple harp with just a few strings.  They were very common in that time.  They could be elaborate or very simple - similar to our guitars. God is challenging His people to remember what He has done and to trust Him for their provision.  It is a challenge to us who are His people today, too, with a wonderful promise.  When God says open wide your mouth He is encouraging us to expect great things from Him. And when He says He will fill our open mouths, He is promising to fulfill a promise He has made.  What He means is that the more we expect, the more we will receive. God does respond to our faith. He is an infinite God – unlimited in His power to help.  Let us not limit God’s working in our lives. Take advantage of the challenge and today let's open our mouths with expectations of receiving great things from Him.

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September 25 – Open Book Before God

“All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.”  Psalm 38:9 (NIV)

We don't often think of “longings” as being a positive thing.  Most common understanding is that our longings are strong desires – especially for things unattainable.  And, most times they are private as we don't care to go about expressing our longings openly except perhaps, to those closest to us.  If someone is longing for something he or she may try to keep it hidden from everyone.  Unless it is put into words, nobody will know.  But God knows our every thought and our unexpressed longings are known in detail by our Lord.  What in our life is too deeply felt to be expressed?  God knows what it is and He cares about it.  From time to time we may express a sigh without explanation to others for why we did.  God knows what our sighs are for too.  He knows what is troubling our hearts and minds.  We are an open book before God and we cannot hide anything from Him.  God has promised His love for us and even for our secret things, He wants to help us deal with them – whatever they are.  

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July 20 – Open Eyes, Thrilled Hearts

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18  (ESV)

From Psalm 119 we look today at verse 18 and find the psalmist praying to God.  In this psalm the scriptures are often called God's Law.  This word means much more than the 10 Commandments which God has given.  For us it includes all the instruction and revelation which God has given to us in the Bible.  For the psalmist, much of the Bible, as we have it, was not written yet and the focus was likely on the Mosaic Law, or the Pentateuch, or Torah which are the first five book and what believers had at that time.  But we can pray as the psalmist did in this verse and ask God to open our eyes to see the wondrous things in all of the Bible that we have. We remember that Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to do just that – to open our hearts and minds to understanding the Word of God.  Yes, the Holy Spirit is here with us to open our eyes to discern the wonderful truths in the Bible.  Remember the times your heart has been thrilled as truths are revealed to you from the Bible.  That is the promise of today's verse.  

Notes on Psalm 119

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April 17 – Expectations Fulfilled

“I, the Lord, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10 (NASB)

Our selected verse today includes an interesting invitation and promise from God. We recognize, of course,that these words when written applied to the children of Israel a long time ago.  But we believe that God gives the same invitation to us and the same promise that He will fill our needs according to our faith.  A child will open wide its mouth as it expects its mother or father to fill it. We are God's children and God promises to meet our needs as we look to Him. The more we trust God to do for us the more he will do. He is a great God and able to do far beyond our expectation.  Some have had situations that God has brought us up from and we have experienced His grace, mercy and love. Now, He asks us to continue in the same way expecting continued care and provision for our needs.  So what do you want God to do for you today? He is waiting for you to open wide your expectations as He says He will fill it. 

March 9 – Waiting and Ready

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

The Bible promise we read in today's verse is a familiar one to many but it is worth repeating. It is a part of the message which our Lord Jesus sent to the assembly of believers in Laodicea in the first century. It was a specific invitation to the individuals in that church.  It is a promise for individuals believers today in much the same way as when John recorded it.  Jesus said that if any one person realizes that Jesus is waiting to be invited into his or her life, Jesus is ready and willing to respond.  Jesus wants to be a part of our lives first as our Savior and also as our teachers, guide, and friend. He wants us to be aware of His nearness and He has so much to share with us every day – at any hour of the day. Today, let's each open the door to our lives and invite Jesus to be with us.