Wondrous Things
“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” (Psalm 119:18)
Each year I read the Bible from Genesis through Revelation. Each year as I read, I am delighted to find a new “wondrous thing” as the Holy Spirit opens my eyes that I might receive a deeper understanding of something I have read numerous times before but, for some reason, have never quite seen the full wonder of that particular verse or passage.
When one experiences the salvation that Christ has purchased, one begins a new life, a new journey, a journey of leaving the old sinful self behind, a journey of spiritual growth in Christ, and a journey of drawing closer to Him. We begin to understand that we truly belong to Him. He says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isa 43:1)
As we get closer to the Lord, old verses become new. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps 37:4) That sounds good. The Lord wants to give me the desires of my heart. But, wait. Something wondrous has taken place. Christ has become the desire of my heart. All that I desire is in Him. The life, the peace, the joy, the love, the forgiveness, all of these that I desire are in Him. And, wonder of wonders, I discover that it is not really these gifts I desire, it is Christ, the Gift-Giver, that I desire, and all these gifts come with Him.
Now I understand the psalmist when he proclaims, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Ps 73:25-26) Having Christ makes everything else better, fuller, richer.
Now I hunger and thirst for righteousness. Now I hunger and thirst for Christ. Now I desire to spend more and more time in His presence. But, the world is a busy place. There is so much to do, so much that wants to occupy my time and my affections, so many worldly distractions.
Again, with the psalmist I pray, “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” (Ps 119:37) Soon, I discover that many of these things that take up my time, or tempt me to take up my time, are in fact worthless. What do I truly desire? Who do I truly desire? What truly are my priorities? Another wondrous thing takes place. I no longer desire many of those things, worthless things, that took up so much of my time. Now my time is being filled with my Savior.
I am reminded of that quote by Leonard Ravenill, “The more joy you have in the Lord the less entertainment you need.”
I pray that the Lord will open your eyes to behold wondrous things out of His Word and that you will experience that joy in Him which is inexpressible and filled with glory.
Pastor Haney
7/3/26
