Open Eyed God

God wants to use our eyes and shape our vision towards seeing Jesus more clearly. God's eyes are everywhere (Hebrews 4:13). They are roaming the earth, looking for someone whose heart is entirely his (2 Corinthians 16:9). It is also worth noting that over 28 times in the Old Testament, there is a link between God's favor and God's eyes being upon a person. There is a continual thread of characters receiving God's favor when his eyes were upon them and seeking to be found in God's sight so that he can bestow his favor upon them.

One thing that stands out is how our open-eyed God wants to open our eyes. Three times, three pivotal characters have their eyes opened by God, and wonderful things happen to them.

Firstly, God opens Hagar's eyes to reveal His provision (Gen 21:19). Under God's instruction, Hagar and her child (Ishmael) left their father Abraham to appease Sarah and Abraham's other son, Isaac. Despite leaving with plenty of water and supplies, these supplies quickly ran out, and Hagar quickly became anxious as to how she could provide for her child. Heartbroken, she fully expected him to die. As Ishmael was crying with hunger pains, God heard and reassured Hagar that things would be OK. After reminding her of his promise, God "opened Hagar's eyes" and showed her, right before her, a well. As God opened her eyes, he revealed his provision and that he was true to his promise. When you are worried, anxious, and without, the same God wants to open your eyes to see his provision.

Secondly, God opened Balaam's eyes to see the invitation to repentance. In the most bizarre "Mr. Ed" moment, Balaam and his obedient donkey find themselves in a strange game of cat and mouse. The donkey who sees the angel knows that Balaam needs to revere him, but Balaam – who doesn't see the angel – beats the donkey because of his disobedience. This strange episode concludes with God opening the donkey's mouth to assure his rider that he has his best interests at heart. Then God opened Balaam's eyes (Gen 21:33), and he saw his need for repentance. As God opened Balaam's eyes, he revealed an invitation to redemption. Oh, how we need this! When it comes to the sinfulness of our hearts, we are often the last person to know about it. We need God to open our eyes to see our brokenness, seek forgiveness and repent from it.

Thirdly, God opened the eyes of Elisha's servant to see God's protection. The Arameans are fighting against the Israelites. In this tactical war, it appears to the human eye that Elisha's men are surrounded and thus set for inevitable defeat and death. Elisha's servant is first up, and as he peers out of the tent, he spins around, grabs a 360-degree view of the land, and realizes that he is surrounded. He pokes his head back inside the tent and tells Elisha of their imminent peril. Confidently, Elisha assures his men that "those who are for us are greater than those who are against us" (which would have left the troops scratching their heads!), and then he begins to pray. His prayer was simply that God would open the eyes of his servant. And God did. And as his eyes were opened, the servant realized that although his enemy surrounded him, his enemy was surrounded by the army of God (who rather cleverly blinded the enemies so they couldn't see what they were doing!). God opened the servant's eyes to reveal his protection.

God is still in the "eye-opening business"! He wants to open your eyes. Perhaps to reveal his provision… or his invitation to repentance… or his protection… or maybe it's something else? Pray today that God will open your eyes. As the hymn writer pens, "Open my eyes that I may see, glimpses of truth you have for me."