August 28, 2002
Reading
”I will guide you
with My eye” (8)
Most of us have either used or heard the statement, “He didn’t have to say anything, his eyes said it all.” A person’s eyes often express their feelings. When I reflect on my mother, I remember the look in her eyes; joy when I paid a surprise visit to home, sadness when I leave home, disappointment when, as a child, I was disobedient, determination when I tried to change her mind, and comfort when I hurt myself. All of this was possible because of the close relationship we enjoyed.
In our text, God says, “I will guide you with My eye.” There are many examples in scripture where God guided His people by other means. The pillar of cloud and fire when He led the Children of Israel out of captivity, and by voice, visions and dreams as He spoke through the prophets. But for those who enjoy a close walk with the Lord, He will guide them with His eye. The thunder and lightening of Sinai are no longer needed, neither are Gideon’s fleeces or the visions and dreams of the prophets. A new, closer relationship has been established by God with His children. It is more personal. No longer are we forbidden to touch the mountain of God’s presence or to enter the Holy of Holies, rather we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace (Heb 4:16), and to draw near to God (James 4:8). This is a privilege the Old Testament saints only dreamed of.
How is this close relationship gained? It is for those whose transgression is forgiven - Ps 32:1; those in whose spirit is no deceit (2); those who confess their transgressions (5), and those who pray to God (6). This is a way of life and the privilege is for those who walk in it. Such persons are called “godly” (6), and know the Lord as their “hiding place” (7). This is all possible because, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” Heb 1:1-2.
When Jesus lived
on this earth, “He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion” Matt 9:36.
When Peter looked into the eyes of Jesus he saw sorrow because of his denial,
and it broke his heart – Luke 22: 61-62. Today, the Holy Spirit is the Eye of
God. It is He who guides us, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
all things that I said to you” – John 14:26. “However, when
He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” – John
What a challenge to each one of us. Do we know what it means to be guided by the eye of the Lord? Or, do we, like horses, need to be “Harnessed with bit and bridle?” (9). Do we know the mind of the Lord because of our close relationship with Him – Phil 2:5, or do we need to be hit with the proverbial 2x4? If we are not sensitive to the will of God, we should retrace the steps found in Psalm 32. I have found the biggest hindrance to a close walk with the Lord is unconfessed sin. Remember, “I acknowledge my sin to You,” (5) comes before “I will guide you with My eye” (8).
“There is the throne of grace, And there the sprinkled blood;
There lives, before Thy face, Our great High Priest, O God!
His name our plea, We now draw near
In holy fear to worship Thee.”
Isaac Watts