25 Sep October 24th Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

FIX YOUR EYES ON WHAT IS ETERNAL

2 Corinthians 4:18 “. . . we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

We all have a set of eyes.  Except for those who are physically blind, our eyes work in coordination with our optic nerve and brain to present to us all kinds of images.  In fact, while awake, we are flooded with visual images.  These images help us to see danger and avoid it.  They enable us to select foods at the grocery store and see a golf ball or pickle ball to hit.

God out of His grace and mercy has given you a second set of eyes.  Not everyone has these eyes.  The things these eyes see are spiritual and heavenly.  The world says having these eyes and seeing through them is a figment of imagination giving false images, and optical illusions.  St. Paul, in today’s devotional verse says your spiritual eyes are real.  They are different than your physical eyes.  Your spiritual eyes see only things that are eternal. They look into heaven and see the glory God has promised you.

Your spiritual eyes are dependent upon your faith.  While your physical eyes need healthy optic nerves your spiritual eyes need faith in order for you to see the things that are of God.  Through them you see your guardian angels, the bountiful hand of God providing all you need to support your body and life, and the gates of heaven through which you will one day pass through for all eternity.

In 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 St. Paul wrote, “For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” While your physical eyes see only things that are temporary by your God given faith your spiritual eyes see what is eternal and holy.  They reveal to you the path of righteousness that Jesus has created for you.  And, they see Him as He leads you on this path to life everlasting.  Your spiritual eyes function through your prayer, worship, reception of the Lord’s Supper, and baptism.

Your spiritual eyes make you aware of God’s presence, reveal to you God’s purpose for you, through them you learn God’s truth, they guide you, direct your thoughts, receive God’s love and a host of other spiritual blessings.  By your faith your spiritual sight connects you to God, His will, and His eternal purpose for you.

Prayer:  Grant me daily, Holy Spirit, faith by which to see all that my heavenly Father has for me.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Forth in Thy name, O Lord, I go, My daily labor to pursue,

Thee, only Thee, resolved to know In all I think or speak or do.

The task Thy wisdom has assigned, O Let me cheerfully fulfill;

In all my works Thy presence find,

And prove Thy good and perfect will.

Thee may I set at my right hand,

Whose eyes my inmost substance see,

And labor on at Thy command, And offer all my works to Thee.

Give me to bear Thine easy yoke,

And ev’ry moment watch and pray,

And still to things eternal look, And hasten to Thy glorious day.

For Thee delightfully employ

Whate’er Thy bounteous grace has giv’n,

And run my course with even joy,

And closely walk with Thee to heav’n.

(LSB 854)