And He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when He had spit on his eyes, and put His hands upon him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that He put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. Mark 8:23-25
What do we see when we look at people? What do we see when we look at ourselves? What do we see when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances? Are we only capable of seeing through the eyes of our flesh; our natural eyes? Do we rehearse what we see with our natural eyes? She, he, they are difficult. She, he, they are this that or the other; and all that may very well be true. However, on the other hand, sometimes we place our expectations upon others and are disappointed when they do not meet them. Before we continue on that path, we should pause and ask the Holy Spirit to show us how God sees the person, or how God sees us, or how God sees our situation?
The Word of God says “My grace is enough to cover and sustain you. My power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. When we ask the Holy Spirit to show us people through the eyes of the Spirit, we will begin to see people through the eyes of God’s grace. Seeing others through the eyes of grace will cause us to be slow to criticize not only others weaknesses, but we will also extend that same grace to ourselves when we fall short. When we see through the eyes of grace, we see not what or where the person is, but what God is making them and where He is taking them. This holds true for us too. When we see ourselves through God’s eyes, we do not get stuck where we are, but we “press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:14.
Similarly, we must look at our circumstances differently. We need to find out what the Word of God says concerning our circumstances and only speak and believe what the Word says. Through His son Jesus, God always sees us delivered, free, whole, and lacking nothing. We, likewise, ought to see ourselves as He sees us. If we see ourselves as God sees us, we will not magnify the situations in our lives, instead we would magnify what God’s Word says about the situations: sickness and confusion – “the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed,” Isaiah 53:5; lack – “but my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (for good measure, you may want to define “all” to the enemy), Philippians 4:19. The Word states, “Any temptation you face will be nothing new. But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. Therefore, God has a Word for anything and everything we could or would experience in this life. “Whatever has happened – that’s what will happen again; whatever has occurred – that’s what will occur again. There’s nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9.
Just as with the blind man in Mark 8:23-25, when we are seeing only with our natural eyes, we are spiritually blind. Therefore, let us allow the Holy Spirit to lead us away from the crowd, away from our busyness, away from the stresses, so that He can touch our hearts and open our eyes that we may see clearly.
Look up again. What do you see now?
God of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of glory, I call out to You on behalf of Your people. Give them minds ready to receive wisdom and revelation so they will truly know You. Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance. Let them see the full extent of Your power that is at work in those of us who believe, and may it be done according to Your might and power. Ephesians 1:17-19
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Dear Encourager-
My first reply was to topic and scripture only; but, since reading your message this is what I see in reference to ‘lack’ — “…my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (with emphasis added to “by Christ Jesus”). Thanks again, and keep up the great work!
Myra
Yes He will Myra, but we must look to Him for our supply! Thank you for reading and commenting. Continued blessings!
DearEncourager, The truth does set us free. In order for our eyes to be opened by God through Jesus Christ and through His Word, we have to be willing to hear and accept the truth. So many of us do not want to hear the truth; therefore, are unable to get free and/or have our eyes opened. Being able to accept the truth about ourselves is key to understanding and accepting others as they are for who they are; not as we see them but as God sees them. However, we run from the truth like it is the plague; yet, we want to be free. God wants us to be free and he wants us to see things as they truly are. As long as we are slaves to those things and people that hinder us from the truth we cannot get free. Tethering ourselves to this world will only serve to keep us blind. We must be willing to live by faith and not by sight. God is faithful to complete all he starts that includes us; but only if we accept His truth and trust and have faith in His Son so that we too can see like that blind man.
Welcome back Mr. Jordan. Thank you for further enlightening us. The most important message that I endeavor to convey is that we can do “no thing” without Christ! We cannot hear; we cannot see; we cannot even receive; but we can do “all things” through Christ who strengthens us. So, the message always points to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith! Whatever state we find ourselves, we can look to Jesus and He will deliver us!
Preach Pas-tah!
Thank you for again blessing me. This message spoke straight to my heart. You are truly a gift from God. May he continue to use and increase you. Blessings…
Deb
Thank you Deb for the prayer and blessings, and thank you for taking the time to read and leave a comment. Peace and blessings! Love you.
When we are blind spiritually as new born babies in Christ, Jesus takes us by the hand and lead us to a place where He can open our eyes so we can see Him more clearly. Sometimes it takes a second touch!
Are only newborn babes in Christ spiritually blind? 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Dear Encourager,
I see that opening this man’s physical eyes involved a process of listening and talking to God. Likewise, opening our spiritual eyes involve a process of listening and talking to God. For example: The first time I read your lessons, I didn’t grasp them fully. After a process, God opened my spiritual eyes. Today, I read your archives and understood each and every one of them fully. Thank you!
Myra
You are welcome and thank you for taking the time to read and re-read, and for sharing your experience with us. Peace and blessings!
Why did Jesus have to touch this man twice?
Why are you answering a question with a question Rev. Neal? Speak on it? 🙂 Appreciate you!
Keep up the good work. Encouragement is needed. It was and is on time this A M for me. Thanks and blessings on you and yours.
You’re welcome and thank you for the blessings! Thanking God that He had an on time Word to bless you today! Peace and blessings!
Wow….awesome.
Did the Holy Spirit knock on your door? 😊 Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Continued blessings!