Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Psalm 19:8 The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

CALLED TO SEE . . . AND SHARE

The story is told of a little girl lying gravely ill in bed. Her parents (who had brought her up to know Jesus as her Savior) were standing beside her, holding her hand and stroking her hair. She'd been sick with a high fever for many days, drifting in and out of consciousness. The doctors had prepared her parents for "the worst." Suddenly the little girl opened her eyes wide and said in a soft but clear voice: "Mommy, Daddy, do you see the angels?" Then she closed her eyes for the last time and passed away. It was as if she knew (and wanted her parents to know): Jesus had sent His angels to usher her soul into the joys of His heavenly presence.

The story may only be legend but reminds us of a real, important truth: the ultimate desire of every Christian is to be with Jesus and see Him in the fullness of His majesty. We all want to be ushered one day by His angels into the mansions He's gone to prepare, that we might live at God's right hand in the place of perfect rest, complete joy, and unending pleasure.

For us to experience this blessing of all blessings it's necessary that we first of all see Jesus during the time of our life on earth. See Him not with our physical eyes (which only a few living on earth years ago were able to do) but with our faith-eyes. We need to have the ability (Spirit-given) to see Jesus as our Messiah, the only Name under heaven given among men by which we are saved. What a high calling Jesus has given us-- we whom the Spirit has already blessed with faith-eyes to behold Him as our Savior-- to invite others to come and see Him too. May we always remember that it is the Word of Christ that possesses the power to give people such faith-eyes and to keep their faith-vision clear and bright until life's end.

I hear the Savior calling! The gospel comes to me.
My eyes once closed in blindness Are opened now to see
That I myself was helpless To live eternally,
But, dying, Christ did save me, And now He calls for me!

I hear the Savior calling! He gives this charge to me:
To serve the best I’m able, Whate’er the call may be.
Thus hand in hand with others Who share the gospel key
We spread the gospel tidings-- My Savior calls for me!
(Worship Supplement 2000, 770:1, 3)