October 8, 2020 (Thursday)
The Apostle Paul was so upset with the Galatians that he wrote them a letter letting them know in no uncertain terms of his concern because they were turning against the gospel of the grace of God. He was justified in his indignation because, as he wrote in his letter to them, they were believing in “another gospel,” a religion of works instead of faith. Whenever we read his letter to the Galatians, we are impressed once again of the gravity of the situation. To say he was “upset” is putting it mildly.
Sometimes you and I get upset with somebody for lesser reasons. People have been known to sit down and write letters to folks who have frustrated them in some way, and they really “let them have it!” Then they read what they wrote, and decide to wait until they have “cooled off” before mailing it. Looking at it in the cold light of the next day, they see that what they have written is much too harsh, and they tear up the letter.
I recently had a similar experience with one of these blogs. I was really frustrated with the “red tape” and regulations associated with a legal matter. So I sat right down and wrote a blog expressing my feelings, complaining about the injustices of a data driven world run by computers, a frustration fed by automated answering machines. So I wrote. And wrote. And planned to publish my complaints in a blog. I had already written blogs for the next couple of weeks, so I decided to write it out and append it to the blog I planned to publish the following day. Sometimes I do that, so that I publish two blogs on the same page.
I quickly added the new blog about my frustrations to the blog already written for the next day, but when I took a look at the blog I had already penned for that day, I was astounded because the title of that blog was “Love.” It was all about Love and the “Fruit of the Spirit.” I felt rebuked by the Lord. So I moved the new blog to a safe place where I could see it from time to time and remind myself that the flesh is always ready to fight the spirit. And none of us is immune.
I felt like Peter must have felt after denying the Lord three times, just like Jesus had predicted. For a fleeting moment, their eyes met and Peter felt so bad about himself that he wept bitterly. Love prevailed, as it always does.
My little episode reminded me that Jesus is always with me, helping me, encouraging me, and rebuking me when necessary. I must always remember before I speak that the first person to hear will be Jesus. So I will want my words to be acceptable to Him.
Open My Eyes, That I May See
Clara H. Scott
1895
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain 1:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Refrain 2:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my mind, that I may read
More of Thy love in word and deed;
What shall I fear while yet Thou dost lead?
Only for light from Thee I plead.
Refrain 3:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my mind, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain 4:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my heart, illumine me,
Spirit divine!