Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday March 23, 2011

For reasons eternity will reveal God has thrust upon me a ministry to hurting people who live, work, play, pray sometimes in all walks of life. Some are in prisons, some are sitting in court rooms watching loved ones in the early stages of heading to prisons, still others are wondering what went wrong with our marriage; we had such a gorgeous wedding?

The list is near endless.

Thus across the years I have gathered stacks of saying etc that help to comfort people who are "going through it." Today's piece is one of many. I do not know the author as it was written down on a piece of scrap paper as a prisoner was giving a speech in chapel. The prisoners were not allowed to preach, so they often gave "speeches."

"Do you doubt that He still loves you, through adversity and loss? Though the fire of testing rages, it consumes but only dross. When your heart is all bewildered and you heave a heavy sigh, hear these words of cheer and comfort, I will guide thee with my eye."

The saying is based on one of the psalms written by David, who knew a little about the battles of life, many that he brought on himself. He writes of "God’s Life University" in Psalm 32:8:

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

The verse is loaded with progressive meaning in that God takes charge of the entire process of educating His children via the circumstances of life. Instruct here is to "make to understand, cause to behave," teach is to "insist on throwing or shooting straight, being on target as an arrow," and guide is to "counsel with the eye," or "the look."

Christ demonstrated each of these wisdom communicating vehicles in His work with the disciples, especially Peter. He gave the original group on the job training as they followed Him about for approximately three years, and from His dealing with Peter in the Judgment Hall, the look as the cock crew, causing Peter to rush out weeping.

It is my humble belief, (I have to say humble) that this look conveyed to Peter several things, including, "Peter, I know you, I warned you, I still love you." Christ went to great lengths to reassure Peter of His undying love for him.

The practical lessons are many but two are primary: Christ's personal participation in your growth, even though this is often painful. And His intense, commitment to you as He tenderly watches over you as witnessed by His "Counselor's look."

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2011 Use with credit

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