Eyes to See

A few random thoughts on our times.

When we see a colorful sunset we may spontaneously comment about God’s colors and creativity. Or at least we think it. When we see a majestic mountain range, we feel a sense of awe and give God the glory for the beauty of His creation. When we see the intricate workings of a single living cell, the beauty of a flower, or the miracle of a baby growing in the womb, we pause to praise God as Creator. As Psalm 148 says (look it up), with eyes of faith we join all of Creation to praise the Lord! We might call this praising God for revealing Himself in Creation.

Easy to do in the abstract, or when we are safe, healthy, and well fed with family and friends nearby. But what about when times are tough, or we are under attack? Well, the Psalms speak to tough situations, too. Various psalms (too many to list, so leaf through them and see for yourself) describe God as our strength and shield, our deliverer, or the rock of our salvation. With eyes of faith to see it, we thank and praise God for protecting, sustaining, and saving us, now and for eternity. We might call this praising God for His mercy, providence, and lovingkindness.

Let me suggest that we live in times that offer a third opportunity to praise our Lord. In Luke 21:10-13 Jesus said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.” Looking around the world, we see war and chaos, crime, economic distress, persecutions, mass migrations of refugees and immigrants, and food shortages and famines. But if we have eyes of faith to see, we know that God is in charge and this is not just a slogan. He has the nations in His hands just as surely as He holds the rest of Creation in His hands (see Psalm 8, for example). And even though times are rough and likely to become rougher, we praise God, rejoicing in His sovereignty.