We are visual creatures and must be aware of what the Bible calls the lust of the eyes. (1 John 2:16) This is our desire for the things of this world. The Bible, however, tells us to walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) If we are too distracted looking at all the things the world glorifies, our hearts may soon turn to them. We see this with the Israelites in the Old Testament and their struggle with false idols made by the hands of men. They wanted a God they could see. They wanted a God they could control, which then turned their hearts away from the One True Living God. So, to guard our hearts, we must remember God is greater than what is only seen. We must not make idols to fill the void in our hearts that only God can satisfy. We do this by looking to Him. We behold His beauty as King David, a man after God’s own heart, did in Psalm 27:4 when he says:
“One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4 ESV)
When we fix our eyes on Jesus, as we’re instructed to do in Hebrews 12:2, we guard our hearts against the fleeting and temporary desires of this world. Today, I encourage you to fix your eyes on Jesus and let Him lead you.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for helping me to focus my eyes on You. When I’m distracted with the things of this world, please forgive me and lead me back to Your beauty. In Jesus’ name, amen.