602 Closing Our Eyes To See.

Key Scripture. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Relevance

Fanny Crosby, an American lyricist and composer known as the Queen of Gospel Song Writers, wrote over 8,000 hymns and gospel songs, of which more than 100 million copies were printed. Famous songwriter Ira Sanky attributed much of the success of the DL Moody campaigns to Crosby's songs, such as Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour, Blessed Assurance, and To God Be The Glory. 

Although blind from six weeks of age, Fanny Crosby saw more than most of us. 

When we close our eyes, we see through other senses. A young man and woman have their first kiss. Their eyes are closed as they absorb that stupendously memorable initial rush of love and emotion, which pours in as if a gate valve has been opened. 

Yes, I'm a romantic at heart. My wife says I must be the most passionate husband ever. Okay, maybe that isn't true, but I have a good memory. 

When someone wants to surprise us with something wonderful, they often say, "Now, close your eyes until I say open!" We close our eyes to rest and often do so when listening to a podcast or audiobook to be more transfixed by the narrator's words and tone. We also close them to meditate on God's Word after we've read a portion of it, sealing it in our minds. Of course, we also close them to pray. 

We close our eyes to see because seeing is what God calls us to do. Our inner eyes and ears must see and hear what the Spirit says to us. 

Another instance when we close our eyes to see is the time we die. But what do we see then? That depends on who we are when we die.

Let's make sure we die as Christians. Then, we see the amazing promises the Lord has in store for us. We will see a life so beautiful that we will have no inclination to leave. We won't see any deception, sin or iniquity, let alone be a part of it.

Neither will we remember the things that caused us pain or feel the regret from the pain we caused others. We will see the wonders of the workings of Heaven, those who run it, and what our part will be. And we will see our Saviour as He is. 

When our eyes are opened, we will see all this and more, but that won't happen until they're closed. 

Only our Lord could come up with such a strange way of introducing us to our next chapter.

Praise His Name. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, what wonders You have in store for your beloved children. Thank you for the unorthodox way you will be leading us through our changes. Only You have the power, imagination and thoughtfulness to do that. When we look at all the intricate designs in our world, we cannot wait to behold what you have promised us in the next.