Word for Today, Thu, Jul 27 2006, Spiritual Blindness, or Illuminating Faith?
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Larry's message below cries out because of the sense of helplessness
we feel when we are blind. It got me to thinking about the depth of
spiritual blindness, and how sin blinds us from the truth - even that
we have sinned, if we allow it to go that far.
The Law of God does not save us from sin, as many ancient Jews, and
quite probably many Jews and Christians alike may think. No, the Law
of God does not save us directly. What it does do is shine a light
for us to see. If we allow the Law to do its job, we realize that
each one of us is a law breaker. We fall far short of the mark, we
come up needy.
I'm honest in this respect. That's me. I am glad for the Law,
because it showed me my need. Once I thought I was good. In one
sense, I was not a trouble maker. I did try to do my best to always
give my best effort and do what is right. This is noble, but it can
also be deceiving. I did not see the utter helplessness of my own
sin.
Fortunately, I believed in the God of love, even though I did not
fully understand or comprehend what He had done for me. But one day
it caught me. These days, I am constantly reminded, and I realize how
utterly reliant I am upon God for everything, not only each breath I
take and all things around me, but for my past, present, and future,
particularly my future hope.
Is your future hope in something you are planning? If so, I assert
that you are on the wrong road my friend. Instead, put your future
hope squarely on the shoulders of Jesus Christ, our lover and our
friend, the One who knew the sacrifice it would take to save us, yet
He did it - He sacrificed His sinless life to redeem ours!
We need not continue walking around blind. Yes, the Law is good, for
it reveals our need of a Savior, and by reading the Bible, we can know
that we have one in Jesus Christ, the hope of glory!
Yours in Christ,
Brian
Sowing Seeds of Faith...
"Help, I'm Blind..." Larry Davies
"Pick a partner. One of you will be blindfolded and the other
will be a guide," the teacher said. All went black as I slipped
on the blindfold and allowed my partner to nudge me forward and
lead me by the hand. A once-familiar classroom was now a breeding
ground of desks and chairs to bump into or trip over. No longer
self-secure, I was utterly dependent on my guide for directions
and safety. But, the worst was yet to come.
Leaving the classroom, we staggered down the hall. My other
senses, once ignored, began to provide clues as to where we were.
Laughter and talking meant other students were nearby. We must be
in the hall. Ouch! That must be a door. The hard surface under my
feet meant a sidewalk. Automobile sounds fading in and out,
suggested nearness to a road.
A road? Wait a minute! We're on a road... with cars? Isn't that
dangerous?!
"You are now stepping off the curb and onto the highway," said
the teacher. Suddenly, my body lurched out of balance as the
ground under my feet dropped eight inches. Imagine eight tiny
inches with the power to disrupt everything that was secure in my
life. Knowing exactly where I was never seemed to matter before
but now details were crucial. How could I take the next step if I
didn't know where that step might lead?
"Stop and listen," commanded the teacher. I heard the familiar
sound of an automobile engine only this time it was getting
louder. Alarms in my brain screamed loudly, "You idiot, run. A
car is heading straight toward you!" But the sound went safely by
only to be quickly followed by a similar sound from the opposite
direction. Again, the voice inside me screamed, "Run!" But again,
nothing happened. We removed the blindfolds rubbed our eyes and
found ourselves standing in the middle of a busy highway with
cars whizzing by every few moments.
I never before grasped the fear and helplessness that accompanies
blindness. This was a terrifying lesson for me.
Is this what God means by spiritual blindness? At first, you
think you can manage okay as other senses provide clues but
suddenly something shifts and you are thrown off balance. Alarms
in your brain scream out as you sense approaching danger. Your
spiritual eyesight now becomes crucial but you seem to be
blindfolded. How can you take the next step in life if you cannot
see where to place your feet?
Spiritual blindness can also produce feelings of helplessness and
fear? Psalm one seems to offer hope for the blind.
"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked
or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they
delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they
think about his law. They are like trees planted along the
riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves
never wither, and in all they do, they prosper."
"But this is not true of the wicked. They are like worthless
chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time
of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the
LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the
wicked leads to destruction." (Psalm 1)
God offers light to the blind. "Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked... But they delight in doing
everything the Lord wants..." (v1) Not a lighthearted promise of
joy as in eating ice cream. This indescribable joy can only come
from God. How do we obtain it? We begin to open our spiritual
eyes and carefully watch where we place our feet. No shortcuts
but begin to seriously look at the reality of our spiritual
blindness and the benefits of relying on God's light.
There are two opposing principles within Psalm One. First is the
promise: "They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never
wither, and in all they do, they prosper." (v3) In other word,
the storms still exist but God gives strength to withstand and
continue bearing fruit?
Second is the warning: "But this is not true of the wicked. They
are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be
condemned at the time of judgment." (V4) Most of us would not
quickly claim to be spiritual trees but none of us want to be
chaff either. So, what do we do? How can we improve our eyesight?
The experience of being blindfolded and Psalm one yields four
valuable aids:
1. Appreciate what you already possess.... The abilities God
has given you. "Oh the joys of those..." (v1)
2. Learn to develop other senses. Strengthen Godly
relationships. "They are like trees...
bearing fruit..." (v3)
3. Avoid crowded highways. Let go of damaging
relationships. "Do not follow
the advice of the wicked..." (v4)
4. Know and trust your guide. Learn Who is your real
Guide. "The Lord watches over
your path..." (v6)
Psalm One ends with a promise and a warning: For the Lord watches
over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to
destruction. Are you struggling with spiritual blindness? Has
your equilibrium been knocked around? Are you sensing approaching
danger? Maybe it's time for a new Light: From a Lighthouse that
knows exactly where you need to go and can be depended upon to
light your way to safety. What are you waiting for? Open your
eyes and pray for God's light to guide your journey. It sure
beats an oncoming car.
Read Sowing Seeds of Faith... everyday! Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/Devotions.htm
Are you receiving prayer concerns from around the world? Join our
prayer team today. Check it out by clicking here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm
How can I regularly support your ministry? Become a Sowing Seeds
Ministry partner. Click here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ministry_partner.htm
Jesus said: "You are the light of the world -- like a city on a
mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your
light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine
for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)
--
Brian Masinick, masinick at yahoo dot com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
mail.yahoo.com