“They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed” (Psalm 34:5).
“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Dear Praying Friends:
Some years ago, singer-songwriter Matt Papa wrote a book entitled Look and Live: Behold the Soul-Thrilling, Sin-Destroying Glory of Christ. Another book I read said, “We become what we behold,” meaning that what we focus our attention, especially our eyes, upon will gradually mold our outlook and character.
In our days of the relentless barrage of images, we tend to forget to gaze upon God as revealed in his Word. Our thoughts, feelings, and actions seem to follow what we see on TV and on our smart phones, rather than upon the truth of Scripture.
Even without the media, however, people have always allowed themselves to be shaped and governed by images, whether they were man-made idols, or human beauty, or the visages of others, especially those who are important to us. A smile or a frown can set the tone for our whole day.
Instead, Scripture urges us to fix our physical and mental “eyes” on the Lord, especially Jesus as he is portrayed in the gospels. Such concentration will guide our path and govern our hearts and our minds.
“Say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!'" (Isaiah 40:9).
Yours in the love and power of our Savior,
Wright