Day 19 (Year 2)

Those Who Love the Lord Will Have Their Eyes Opened

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV)

For some believers, God’s “inheritance” (Ephesians 1:18) may feel difficult to grasp. This is because what God has prepared for us who love Him are surprises we have never imagined. Indeed, our loving Father in heaven expects it for believers to repay Him with love. If readers feel that after many days of reading they still have not sensed the eyes of their hearts being opened, the key may lie here: Because the love for God is not yet to full measure, the eyes of the heart have not been opened.

People easily love visible people, things, or objects, but loving the invisible heavenly Father is much more difficult. Therefore, for the eyes of our hearts to be opened by God continually, we must first clear away everything that wrongly occupies our hearts and cultivate an ever-increasing love for Him. The starting point can be first, to love Jesus, because Jesus is a living person who also has human emotions and thoughts. Note that loving God is not for the purpose of having our eyes opened, nor for any rewards. If that were the case, they would only love spiritual experiences or rewards rather than loving God. No, loving God is the end goal of all believers. Our love for God should be unconditional. His rewards granted to us are just bonuses. Even when God gives us different rewards, these should not distract us or make it difficult for us to love God wholeheartedly.

Genuinely having faith in Jesus is a way of life, and a challenge for all who claim to love God. Believing in Jesus not only leads us to challenges in faith but also into the unknown. For normal Christians, this situation is exciting. Conversely, if believers feel anxious or afraid when facing the spiritual unknown, then we must first anchor our sense of security firmly in the heavenly Father’s great love. Indeed, many people believe in God because they had needs, prayed to Jesus, received something, and then came to faith. God’s blessings should motivate us to love Him more enduringly, rather than merely become a motivation to constantly pursue more blessings. Loving God purely and unconditionally will not only open the eyes of our hearts but also the ears within, enabling us to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus, allowing our minds to understand many spiritual truths and gain insight into the spiritual world. But as believers increasingly see, hear, and experience spiritual things, we will face greater challenges. And this is how God gives us an exciting life.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you consider yourself to be one who “loves God” in His eyes? Or are there other things you love in your heart? If the latter, how do you change accordingly?

2) Do you feel excited and eager to understand and experience the spiritual unknown, all that God has for you? Why?