Daily devotion – Open my eyes Lord…
The renowned hymn writer Fanny Crosby wrote more than 8,000 Gospel songs. Although blinded at the age of six weeks, she never allowed bitterness to take root in her heart because of her lack of sight.
One of her most beloved hymns declares:
Saved by Grace – Fanny Crosby
“And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace.”
A pastor once said to Miss Crosby, “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you!”
She replied quickly, “Do you know, if at birth I had been able to ask God one thing, it would have been that I should be born blind!”
“Why?” asked the surprised pastor.
“Because when I get to Heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Saviour!”
How often we, who have the blessing of sight, can live lives that are blind to the wonders of God—things that go completely unnoticed in the busyness of our days.
Today, as I entered the church car park, I watched many of the Calvary Women filter out from their Bible study together. My heart was filled with joy seeing women who love God’s Word dearly, serve one another faithfully, and desire above all to please the Lord.
I couldn’t help but think of our sisters in places like Nigeria, where gathering freely to study the Scriptures can mean risking one’s life. What a privilege it is to open God’s Word in peace and safety!
It was another great hymn writer, John Newton, who also knew what it meant to have his spiritual eyes opened. Once a slave trader, but gloriously saved by the grace of God, he penned those immortal words:
“Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”
As we read God’s Word can can open our eyes to see things we often overlook or neglect.
“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.”
— Psalm 119:18
Lord, open the eyes of my heart today. Help me not to take for granted the blessings You’ve poured into my life. May I see Your hand at work in every circumstance, Your beauty in creation, and Your grace in the lives around me. And most of all, may I never lose sight of Jesus—my Saviour, my joy, and the One I long to see face to face.
Amen.