Remarks From the Reverend

Author’s Note: This is the eighth of a series of devotionals from Psalm 146.

“The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;...” – Psalm 146:8a

We are living in a time when it seems that lies and deceptive notions are flooding every form of media – both conservative and liberal, Christian and non-Christian. The sad part is that there are many people believing the lies, the false narratives and ideologies that are leading this nation and even the world down the path of bondage, corruption and sexual perversion, including homosexuality, transgenderism and pedophilia; and even the “normalization” of cannibalism. Blindness to truth is great and in many cases willful. They would “not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:12; also, Romans 1:32; John 3:19-20). This blindness is not physical, but rather spiritual in nature. This is what is being referenced in this verse as another strong reason to put our trust and hope in the Lord God of Jacob, shifting our trust and hope away from a “prince,” or a “son of man” or “we the people.”

The Lord opens the eyes of those who are physically blind and gives sight to the spiritually blind. The gospel records tell us that Jesus, during His earthly ministry, gave sight to many who were physically blind (Matthew 9:27-31; 11:5; 20:29-34). This He did to demonstrate His authority, confirming that He is the Son of God, God come in the flesh (John 1:1, 14). In His day (just as today) spiritual blindness plagued everyone, including the religious leaders of His day. People preferred to follow the commandments and opinions of men than the commandments of God and the truths revealed in the Scriptures (Matthew 15:14; John 9:39; 1 John 2:11; Revelation 3:17; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6). Instead of embracing God’s salvation that is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, they sought salvation by their works and the keeping of the Law; yet, by doing so they added to their guilt before the only true and holy God (Romans 3:19-20). Their spiritual blindness also led them to reject Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, who died on the cross and rose again three days later, having paid the penalty for the sins of many and redeemed many from the bondage to sin by defeating death and obtaining on behalf of God’s people everlasting life. Their rejection would ultimately mean their eternal condemnation in hell, just as it would for all who reject Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross on behalf of sinners, like you and me.

Are you putting your trust and hope in those who seek to find solutions by man-centered commandments, seeking to solve the problems of this world by their own means? Their methods may seem to work temporarily; yet, they don’t change the heart corrupted with sin that blinds mankind to the truths revealed in God’s word.

Sadly, those who are spiritually blind don’t see it that way. In fact, unregenerate sinners will seek to justify their sins as they feed their sinful affections and passions. Embracing the darkness of sin as “good” or as a “right,” they will continue in their blindness to the truth, and remain under the curse and condemnation of sin (John 3:19-20). Even the world under the influence of Satan helps sinners to continue in their blindness, caters to man’s sin nature with the lies and deceptions of man-centered ideas; feeding man’s sinful wants and desires (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Are you beginning to see the truth of your own blindness and your inability to open your own eyes?

If so, there is good news! Only through the washing and regenerating work of the Holy Spirit will the sinner’s spiritual blindness be turned to sight as the truth of the gospel is proclaimed, according to Scripture. It is the Holy Spirit who gives understanding and faith to the soul made alive in Christ enabling sinners to turn from their sins and rebellion and turn to Jesus Christ for salvation and a new life of joy, peace and hope (1 Corinthians 2:9-16; John 3:3; Luke 17:21; cf. Romans 14:16-17).

Won’t you this day, cry out to God humbly begging Him to open your blind eyes to the gospel truth of God’s righteousness, God’s salvation that is only through Jesus Christ, the Lord God of Jacob? With a repentant heart, won’t you by faith call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation; having obtained for you the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. He is your righteousness before God.

Believer in Christ, are you finding yourself in a dark place? Are your eyes not seeing God at work? Then, go to the throne of grace where Jesus sits. Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit, to remove the veil of darkness blinding your mind; and He will give you eyes of faith to see, to understand and embrace God’s promises of His peace as He works His perfect and righteous will for your good and His glory (Philippians 4:6-7).

Jesus Christ is the only One to put your hope and trust in. “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Rev. Richard Stetler, of Hartley, is the CEO and founder of Reformation Gospel Ministries. Visit http://www.reformationgospelministries.org for more information.