Perception matters. When there are witnesses to a crime, each person has a bit of a different story. It is usually based on their life experiences that form the eyes in which they see. Their testimonies will all be a bit varied based on this. We simply do not have 100% pure vision. But God does!
I truly enjoyed my Bible reading today. I read scripture from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms
Notice I said attempt. I simply am not perfect at this. Just as my perception and my eyeballs are not perfect. I simply do not do or see everything perfectly.
My eyes landed on one simple phrase that calmed my spirit, “may your eyes see what is right.”
As David was speaking to the Lord, he clearly knew that he did not have a perfect perception of all circumstances, but God did. David knew he could not see into the future as God can. David knew to rely on God’s eyes, not his own.
I have a tendanency to think I know what is right. Well, I am right, RIGHT???
Nope, not even close. It is not possible for me to know all the details, all the intricacies of every man’s heart, all the outcomes of today’s events that will play out in future events. I am human, God is God. Help me, Lord!!!
Instead of me thinking I have the obvious answer for the issues of today and praying for that, I choose to pray, “may your eyes see what is right.”
Instead of banging my head against a brick wall knowing that I am right in my actions and my thinking and my efforts that are not coming to fruition, I
Just as David could not see into the future, neither can I. Just as David was capable of many things yet could not control everything, neither can I. Just as David had to learn to be still and let God be God, I have to experience that too, again. Just as David had to go through many rounds of experiences and grow from them, so do I.
We are all human and we are all provided the opportunity for growth. Instead of getting stuck, we can choose to grow by being still.
It feels backward to sit still when we are capable people. It goes against our every instinct to be still. Just maybe that is my lesson today while I experience God’s love.
Maybe that is where I need to grow, truly accepting more intensely, God’s love, specifically for me.
As I kept reading today, another phrase stood out, “Show me the wonders of your great love.” I know deep inside, through and through, that God loves me. But when I am honest, I will admit that it might be my time to experience more of the WONDERS of His great love.
Instead of caring or thinking about the rest of this scripture reading today (getting lost in what others have done or vindicate me in any way) I am focused on how God sees all this, His perfect vision which is right.
What is God’s will, regardless if I can see it or not. How can I see the wonders of God’s great love for me, not all the other mumble jumble that is going on that is actually irrelevant in eternal vision. How is God using physical pain to keep me still?
Although I have no answers on this today, I am more peaceful because of my time with my nose in the Bible. Chronic pain distorts our vision. I know that my vision is distorted at the moment because of the pain. I can choose to get lost in the pain or grow from it.
When I am hitting too many brick walls, I know that I am going down the wrong path, no matter how pure and logical it seems. Something is not quite right. I am not seeing something and the Lord is trying to redirect.
Either I can trust in the Wonders of His Love or not. I know, the unknown is like stepping out off of a cliff. But isn’t that what faith is? I choose to trust, have faith, be still and be more open to His love. I choose to take care of the physical pain by resting, instead of pushing through.
I can rest in the fact that God can see what is eternally right. That is His job, not mine. The Lord fully knows my heart and my actions. While I rest to ease my physical pain, I need to rest in His arms, His wisdom, His sovereignty.
I choose to keep my nose in the Bible to see Jesus, not this world…
A prayer of David.
~ Psalms 17:1-15 (NIV)
1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.
3 Though you probe my heart,
though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
my mouth has not transgressed.
4 Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of theviolent through what your lips have commanded.
5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.
6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your righthand those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10 They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
13 Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;
with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
from those of this world whose reward is in this life.
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
may their children gorge themselves on it,
and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.