January 20: LOCKING EYES
Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Psalm 91:8
The 91st chapter of Psalms is the ideal place for the believer to “camp out” as he or she contemplates the terrible trial that is coming upon the earth. As the final plagues are falling, there will be instance after instance of the lost and the saved in close proximity. Although the seal of God and the mark of the beast are not literal tattoos or tags, the first plague that falls will readily identify both groups. The saved will not have the foul and loathsome sore (Revelation 16:2) and will stand out as an additional source of irritation to those who accepted the beast’s mark. The word of God indicates that once these judgments of God begin to fall, no one repents of their sins. Therefore, now is the time to receive and demonstrate the kindness of the Lord who desires for all men to be saved. Now is the time to repent yourself and use your influence to lead others to repentance. Salvation is not only about you or me. Imagine what it will be to lock eyes with someone you know who says, “You knew this was coming and you didn’t tell me?”
After the unsaved are resurrected, Satan will resume his deceptive leadership in an attempt to marshal billions to join with him and take the city of God by force (Revelation 20:9). The walls of New Jerusalem are described as pure jasper and clear. What will it be like to lock eyes with people you know outside the city in the awful hours of the execution of the final sentence upon sinners? We must be serious and intentional—now—about redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16).
After Peter’s third denial of Christ, the Lord turned and looked at Peter (Luke 22:61). To be looked at by Jesus, even on His worst day, is not to be glared at or scowled at. In that moment when Peter locked eyes with Jesus, all he saw in the Savior’s eyes was tender compassion. Thank God for Peter’s repentance. He is a fascinating study and a marvelous, influential example of overcoming obstacles, the greatest of which can be our very own selves! With the help of the Spirit of the Lord, Peter overcame himself and was molded into a great leader in God’s kingdom.
Beloved, I hope you will lock eyes with Jesus. See the love there! He will say of you:
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16