We need Spiritual Eyes to Really See

Then they said to her, “ Woman, why are you weeping?” John 20:13 

Mary Magdalene could vividly remember the day Jesus delivered her from her demonic bondage. She became His devoted follower that day (Luke 8:2). She watched Him heal the sick and teach people about God's love. Her life was transformed as she experienced the joy of being with Jesus. Then her world seemed to fall apart! Her Lord was arrested and brutally murdered. The crowds that had shouted “Hosanna!” at the beginning of the week cried “Crucify him!” by week's end. A final blow came when she went to anoint Jesus’ body at the tomb. She saw that His tomb was empty. Someone had apparently stolen His body. As she sobbed in despair, angels asked the poignant question, “Why are you weeping?” She was standing before an empty tomb! Jesus had risen, just as He had promised! Knowing that Jesus was alive put everything back into perspective, and Mary joyfully raced to share the good news with others. The Christian life is not always easy. There are joyful moments of walking with Jesus, but there are also times when nothing makes sense and when your world seems to be crumbling. The world will mock your Lord, and you may grow discouraged. At those times, you need to peer into the empty tomb. It is the abandoned tomb that gives you hope, for it symbolizes the life that is yours from your risen Lord. The empty tomb promises that nothing, not even death itself, can defeat the purposes of your Lord. Are you weeping beside an empty tomb? - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

I know of way too many times in my life when I panicked at the wrong time.  

I didn't have all the facts of a situation and I immediately cried out in despair and disbelief.   

How could things go as wrong as they did?

It took time for God to show me that if I would but listen to Him and calm down there was something else to be seen. 

It reminds me often of the servant with Elijah.  Who was greatly distressed by the armies that he saw.  Elijah prayed that the Lord would open his eyes to see the Spiritual battlefield.  

My friend we all live in a Spiritual battlefield.  Even when it looks all calm and peaceful.  When it's looking grim. It's all the same.  There's a war raging between the forces of the Kingdom of God and Satan over the lives of mankind. 

Overcoming fear isn't always an easy thing to do.  I am reminded of the very song that describes this, that I awoke to hearing in my head today. It's a song called Confidence by Sanctus Real

I'm not a warrior
I'm too afraid to lose
I feel unqualified for what you're calling me to
But Lord with your strength
I've got no excuse
'Cause broken people are exactly who you use

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence

You took a shepherd boy
And made him a King
So I'm gonna trust you and give you everything
I'll be a conquerer
'Cause you fight for me
I'll be a champion claiming your victory

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence
I'm gonna sing and shout and shake the walls
I won't stop until I see 'em fall
Gonna stand up, step out when you call
Jesus, Jesus

I'm gonna sing and shout and shake the walls
I won't stop until I see 'em fall
Gonna stand up, step out when you call
Jesus

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence, yeah

Give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence
I'll face my giants with confidence

Mary faced a giant cloud of doubt at the tomb.

We face clouds of doubt today with this virus.  Who is behind it and why.  People crying out that it's real some saying it's not.  

The truth is people still are wanting control of their lived when as believers we gave up that control to our Savior when we agreed that it's His Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  When we became His workmanship.  We gave up our rights to self.

Look no further than this hymn. He Lives!

I serve a risen Saviour; He's in the world today.

I know that He is living, whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He's always near.

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

My friend we have indeed reason to be fearful.  But also too we need Spiritual eyes to see what we do not.  We need to be able to see from God's perspective. 

My constant prayer is for God to show me more.  Only God can open your eyes and heart to what He is doing in and around you.

In Christ we have nothing to fear.  But it's learned.  Look at the lives of the Disciples. 

They had to learn to let go of self and live as Jesus was showing them. 

We are no different. We are the new Disciples that Jesus commanded them to make!  

We should be looking to the Bible for direction, not CNN or any other news service. We are to use the brain God gave us to make sound decisions.  He commanded us to pray for our leaders.  He said to pray for our enemies.  He said to obey those in authority over us, as long as they aren't commanding us to violate Scripture.  At times it is going to be difficult.   But remember our coming to Christ wasn't about finding peace and prosperity.  Scripture is replete with our job description and what the world would be like towards us.  Scripture has prophesies yet to be fulfilled and we are seeing the final ones coming around to be fulfilled. 

We need our faith more than ever right now.  Some indeed may enter into Heaven because of this virus, but also too, many have entered Hell.  Regardless of what you see or hear, souls are still on the line.  

Pray for those around you.  Pray for your leaders.  Pray for family and friends. Pray for strangers.  God's doing a miraculous work in this time and too many Christians are missing it.  They are finding themselves fighting God by their attacks on the very leaders that God established.

Prayer is what removes fear.

Prayer is what brings water to a thirsty soul. 

Prayer revives the man or woman of God. 

Seek first His Kingdom Jesus said. 

Not our kingdom.

His.