April 8 - In Your Eyes

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Samuel 3-5; Psalms 77; 2 Corinthians 8

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 Instead of us doing what seems right in our eyes,
let God do what is right in His eyes!

I love the comparisons and contrasts we see so often in Scripture. The theme of this era of OT history is repeated often in the book of Judges: there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes (17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). But notice the words of Eli, a priest in Shiloh: He is the Lord; let Him do what is good in His eyes (1 Sam. 3:18). The reason we should let God do what is good in His eyes is simple - He is the Lord! We are not, and what looks good to us may be really bad for us (like the chocolate peanut butter ice cream I had last night).

What is remarkable is that Eli made this statement right after Samuel prophesied that he and his family would die as a result of God’s judgment!  It’s one thing to trust God when things are going well but when circumstances are bad and may be getting worse, do we still want God in control? The answer is a resounding yes! God is good all the time; we are not. His heart is pure; ours is deceitful and wicked (Jer. 17:9). He sees into eternity; we are sadly very short-sighted!

Unfortunately, my prayer life consists too often of a list of things I see that God needs to do for me right now. But the words of Eli hit me between my self-focused eyes today. My prayers have changed: “God, You are my Lord - do what is good in Your eyes. Help me see what You see so I can pray for Your will to be done, not mine.”