Day 6: Failing eyes
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked [the disciples]: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?" (Mark 8:17-18)
Father in heaven, You are good, and Your faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100.5). The psalmist exclaimed, Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men (Psalm 107:31)!
Lord, You created us according to Your design, and You know we can only have the right perspective—with everything in focus—when we understand and acknowledge our dependence on You, and when we honor You and give You our thanks and praise. You instructed Your people early in their history:
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them (Deuteronomy 4:9).
But they continued to be distracted, and fearful, and ungrateful—forgetting Your faithfulness, Your constant care, and Your lovingkindness. And in consequence they experienced many hardships.
Humans have continued the pattern of forgetting God through the centuries, and even when the Lord Jesus—God in flesh—dwelled on earth, those closest to Him—His disciples—also often "forgot." After witnessing firsthand His miracles, and the power and goodness of God, they still struggled with doubt, and misunderstanding, and perspective. They struggled with "failing" eyes and ears.
O Father, the pattern continues with us. You pour Your goodness into our lives, You show us Your compassions and Your unfailing love, You fill us with Your daily sufficient grace, You touch us with Your miraculous power. But still we forget and fret, and fear, and doubt, and question.
Father, forgive us! Deliver us from eyes that fail to see, and ears that fail to hear—from hardened hearts. Turn our focus away from worry and lack, and teach us to rely on Your provision. Turn our minds away from bitterness and gall, and help us to live in hope as we call to mind Your compassions, Your love, and Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-23). Help us to pray like the psalmist:
“To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out His right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:10-12).
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