An Eye Exam

I don't know if it is because of my eye appointment today or what, but my thoughts this morning went back to a passage the Lord began teaching me early this summer...Psalm 119:1-8. I began digging into Psalm 119 and teaching its truths to my children this summer. It has been such a sweet experience for all of us!

The psalm is an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet, with 8 verses per stanza...it provided easy memorization for the young Jewish boys.

The first segment 'Aleph', is such a beautiful picture of the psalmist refocusing his vision. It begins with him looking around him.."Blessed are THEY whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are THEY who keep his statutes and seek Him with all THEIR heart. THEY do nothing wrong; THEY walk in His ways."

It's as if the psalmist is standing among believers saying, "look at those blessed people of God..."

So, he takes his issue to the Lord...(v. 4-5) "YOU have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that MY ways were steadfast in obeying YOUR decrees!" In the midst of prayer, his focus shifts from 'others' to 'the Lord' to his own stand before God. He is even given a yearning for the truths of God in v. 5 that comes from praying and experiencing God's presence.

He goes on to stand as 'I' before His God..."Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all Your commands. I will praise You with an upright heart as I learn Your righteous laws. I will obey Your decrees; do not utterly forsake me."

Can you hear his heart's cry? "Lord, I yearn for You and Your word. I can be made right by it. BUT DO NOT UTTERLY FORSAKE ME...without You, I am nothing!!"

Is that a clear focus or what?? When we are looking around us at others, at circumstances, at defeats, worries or fears, our focus becomes blurry and we fail to see those realities in light of God's love for us, His mercy on us and His power over all that causes us anxiety.

So, how do we 'refocus'...follow the psalmist's example...take it to the Lord in prayer and ask HIM for a clearer focus and a new set of lenses!!