A Day-by-day devotional

February 15, 2023

Clear eyes

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Mark 1-3

Scripture of the Day: Matthew 13:9-16

People who are near- or far-sighted, or astigmatic, need corrective glasses, lenses or laser treatment in order to see clearly. Otherwise, their vision is blurred.

During the time of Jesus, Israel and many other lands were under Roman rule, injustice and oppression. Jesus has set foot on earth and showed them miracles, signs and wonders. Most of all, He showed them His heart. Salvation has come to the world, although it was not yet. Still, however clear the evidence was, people failed to see. Their sight was hindered.

Today, at the time of this writing, there is an ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as continuing unrest in the Middle East states. In addition, devastating earthquakes rocked Turkey and Syria, as ecological disasters simultaneously take place across the globe. Apart from these, the world has just gone through the sudden emergence of what three years ago was an unexplored disease. Taken together, all these has contributed to economic regression.

Clearly, the world has been experiencing hardships of a great scale and magnitude. We see with our physical eyes that the entire world lives in turmoil. Yet, we fail to see how our salvation draws near.

In the midst of all the chaos, we ask: Where is God? Is He not seeing all that is happening? Well, in fact He does! Jesus actually forewarned us that all of this would take place (Matthew 24). However, just like Israel who saw Jesus with their physical eyes but still failed to see that the Messiah has indeed come, we are now also failing to see the fulfillment of all that has been promised – all that has been promised that leads to our redemption.

In the very words of Jesus, although seeing, we do not see; and although hearing, we do not understand (Matthew 13:13-14). This is because our hearts have become calloused and we have therefore closed our eyes (Matthew 13:15).

Reflection: What are we to do in these troubled and trying times? Looking at the news, it is difficult to see the hope that is ahead. And because this is so, we should all the more not lean on our physical eyes in order to see. We have to train our spiritual eyes to see that which seemed to be out of sight.

Prayer: Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I long to see your salvation. Let my hope and trust in you not be dimmed by whatever my physical eyes see. Amen.