Channel Vision
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“The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.” (Psalm 11:4)
My father had a saying. When we thought he was dozing in front of the TV in the den, we’d tiptoe in with the intent to change the channel to watch cartoons. Almost every time, he’d grumble, “Don’t change that channel. I was watching through my eyelids.” He must have been, because he knew we were in the room, hand posed on the channel changer.
The Psalm says God always sees. Even when it appears as if God’s eyes have closed to our needs, that He has turned His holy head away from us, faith tells us He is all seeing and all-knowing. He is there, even when it just doesn’t feel like He is.
That is the test. He is watching through His eyelids, waiting to see if we’ll do what we want to do, or stick with what He has determined is best. Are we viewing our situation through the eyes of human kind (the children of men), or through God’s eyes as His children?
There were times I tried to change the change the channel all by myself. On the old TV’s before cable and satellite, every time you changed the channel you had to adjust the rabbit ear antennas to get the right reception. Inevitably, when I’d try, it wouldn’t work. Everything still was out of focus and fuzzy. Dad would get up, wiggle them and magically the reception would clear.
When we pray, do we want to change channels? We don’t want to see things God’s way, but instead want to persuade Him to see them our way. We want relief from our problems now. We want healing in the next ten seconds. We want someone we’ve been praying earnestly for to feel the hand of God on their shoulder when we think they need it. Then God comes and says, “Hands off. I’m watching the situation. Be patient. Sit and watch through Me.”
Amy Grant recorded a song long ago about wanting to see things through her Father’s eyes. Often times I thought I wanted that as well, but I have to admit, being human, when I approached the throne in prayer, I really just wanted permission to change the channel. And all the while, God is there watching – through His eyelids.
Father in Heaven, on Your Holy Throne, help me to see through Your eyes instead of trying to make You see through my own, out of focus and fuzzy perception. Forgive me for the times I have tried to change the channel on my own instead of sitting in Your lap and watching with You. In Jesus’ name, thy will be done. Amen.
Question: Whose channel are you watching?
5 Responses to “Channel Vision”
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I like what you are saying Trisha. I can relate to it because I have over the years struggled with not enjoying my jobs and I would let everybody know how displeased I was with it including God. Well, over the years, he has been very patient and kept me moving from job to jobs and I would keep with the same attitude until I finally gave in and admitted it was the best job I could have and now i like my job and have peace of mind and see positively through it. I came to the realization that he cares about where I am physically and emotionally and that was my turn around toward him….When I became aware that he loved me no matter what. Praise the Lord
Well, Julie this one really sparked some memories! First of all, my dad did the same thing…we kids would tiptoe into the living room b/c it appeared he was sound alseep yet the minute we touched that channel…he would always say,”Put that other channel back on, i’m only resting my eyes.” The other part of your devo that touched me was how God sees things as what’s best for us. i rem when i was 15 yrs old, i wanted to go out with a guy much older than me. My dad didn’t have a good feeling about it and when i asked if i could go out with him, my dad said, “No, it’s not the best thing to be with him.” Well, that wasn’t what i “saw” so i snuck out the bathroom window that night to be with him. Over the next few days, my dad decided to “look into” the situation and sure enough, he found out the guy was married and had 2 kids! i was devastated! Through MY eyes i wanted what i wanted and tried so hard to persuade my dad to let me go out with him yet through my Father’s eyes, he knew from the start it wasn’t the best idea. There were so many times i would beg God to see things MY way and ya know what? HE would send the person back into my life and it was only a matter of time when the same emotional pain would go on all over again. Yes, God will answer us with exactly what we want sometimes only to show us how right HE was. so i’ve stopped doin that with THE Father and only ask for what HE has for me, this way i know i’ll get the best whether i think so or not. Thanks Julie. Blessings you way.
I agree Brenda.I too identify with pain and suffering. In the Secret Place of the Almighty is in His loving arms. A beautiful verse to share with you. Song of Solomon 5:12 His eyes are as the eye of doves by the rivers of waters ,washed with milk,and fitly set…. This is where she (the bride) is describing her lover( bridegroom). A strange and beautiful change sweeps over her as she describes Him. Fruit of the Spirit flood her soul. The very remembrance of just a glance from His eyes brings renewal to her spirit and soul.
The thought that God never takes His eyes off of us is so soothing to me. Psalm 121 in The Message translation states,
“He won’t let you stumble,
your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s
Guardian will never doze or sleep.” [vv.3-4]
Such delightful reassurance for us that we are always taken care of and tenderly loved!
I know I long to be in the Secret Place of the Most High, Molly, and Psalm 91:1 is one of my favourite verses, too. Yet, when in the midst of intense emotional pain, I can certainly relate to Julie’s statement, that I want His response in my way and I want it NOW! It is true that I want to learn through my sufferings, but while I am squirming, I long to be back to the comfort of His loving arms where I can learn while I am looking into His caring eyes as He tells me a parable in the still, small voice.
It is such a paradox that I want God’s presence in such a powerful way in my life, still I have to confess that I fear that power when it comes in the form of great suffering. So my prayer today is that my trust grows, that I may know in a deep way that You are my Sufficiency in ALL situations and circumstances, O Lord, no matter how painful, and that I will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that Your eye is on me to bring the good out of every event, every situation in my life, for You promise “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose [Romans 8:28, NIV84].” Amen!
Ps. 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Loving Jesus ,praisen His Holy name and thanking Him for everything! Blessings to all!