“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.” Gen. 13:10

Lot “lifted up his eyes” to the delights of this world. He eventually succumbed to them, and ended up in Sodom. This world has much to offer the natural man, but it has little appeal to the spiritual man inside us; the spirit-filled man can say with the psalmist “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want”.

Be careful to guard your eyes; as the children’s song goes, “Be careful little eyes what you see”… it is nearly impossible not to see things today that offend our eyes, we can hardly say “I will set no evil thing before my eyes” and be honest about it, but we can be sure to turn our eyes away from evil once we see it! Often our eyes seduce us into sin, as Achan’s did when he “saw” the forbidden spoil of Jericho, and coveted, and took it. Coveting often begins with the eyes.


What are YOUR eyes upon?

“And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” Gen. 22: 13

On the other hand, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw redemption. We all know the story, how Abraham went up on mount Mariah to offer Isaac, his son as a burnt offering to the Lord. He was willing to do whatever the Lord asked him to do, even if it cost him the life of his only legitimate son, the son of promise. Abraham saw God’s mercy that day, and the Lord was satisfied with his faithfulness. We see in this narrative, a wonderful picture of Calvary, and the Lamb that God has provided for us. We merely need to “lift up our eyes” to see the mercies of God.

What a contrast to the seeing of Lot, as he looked to the fruitfulness of this world! Lift up your eyes unto the Lord, and see his wonderful grace and know that He is indeed a merciful and loving God.


What are YOUR eyes upon?

“And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?” Judges 19: 17

Lift up your eyes to the needy. There are many “wayfaring men” on our streets today; homeless; destitute ; forlorn and confused men that need a helping hand. You can be a comfort to them; I can be a comfort to them too, because the Lord Jesus Christ is a comfort to me! Let’s remember others in our daily walk.

Much is said in the Bible about helping the poor, but little is done in today’s churches to heed that calling. (add scriptures about giving to the poor)


“ And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.” 2 Sam 18:24

The watchman saw a man “running alone”. We need to be alert to the needs of others and realize that many are “running alone” in this world. Loneliness is a terrible thing; it is depressing; it is destructive to our nature, we were created with companionship, but thank God, we have a friend in Jesus! Men do not have to face this world’s woes alone. Though this man was a messenger, bearing tidings for the king, let us remember that many have no direction; they have no message, no hope of finding their way--they are running alone, with a message of futility and frustration; they need Jesus. Be a friend to the friendless, and a help to the helpless.


“And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:” Dan. 4:34

We will not accomplish all that we need to for the Lord until we “lift up our eyes unto heaven”; only then will we have the wisdom to do right, and the power to make a difference. Keep your eyes upward, and let your thoughts follow them unto heavenly realms.


What are YOUR eyes upon?

“And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.” Mt. 17:8

Finally, this is where our eyes ought to be. Jesus was transfigured before the disciples, and when they wanted to build tabernacles for Moses and Elijah, they disappeared, and only Jesus remained. The message is clear, “Keep your eyes upon Jesus” and Him only; only He is worthy of our attention, our praise. If we will do this, we will easily accomplish the other tasks set before us, for the glory of God. Look to Jesus for all your need, He is the Comforter, the Provider, the Friend that we all need and that we can share with others. Remember Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink in the waters of despair. (Mt. 14:29,30)

We need to see Jesus in all we do. If we keep our eyes on Him, we will see clearly the OBstacles in our way; we will live a fruitful life. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, the rest will fall in place.


What are YOUR eyes upon?

Give invitation.