Open my Eyes, Lord

“For whom the Lord loves, He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives.”
Hebrews 12:6

I had just come through the most painful, shameful trial of my life. And as I stood gathered with other Christians to pray, a man whose gift of prophesy began to say:

“God has delivered you from the pit of destruction, He has forgiven them all, and He will answer your prayers. The mountain has been removed!”

The interesting thing about receiving that word was that I was avoiding anyone saying a word to me, because I had fallen from a pinnacle of pride, and if the Lord had not held me, I would not be alive. So the last thing I wanted to hear, and this may sound strange, was any positive thing concerning myself, lest I fall in pride’s hole, again. 

But, I still hear that word, today, “ The Lord will answer your prayers.”  What followed after that was said, was the Holy Spirit’s interpretation:

“Not that you are worthy, that He would answer your prayers,  but the one in whom you trust is worthy to bring it about, that you will learn to pray according to His Word and that is His Will.”

 That word, spoken to me occurred 43 years ago. And it came about that for at least the last 2 years I have received a scourging upon my heart and conscience, that has left me shaken, in awe of God’s Holiness as He is at work removing those things not of Him.

 Before His heavy hand was laid upon my mind and heart to examine the patterns of failures, sins, denials, I heard in my mind’s heart, as I rose from my bed, that day;

“I am removing everything not of me.”

 I automatically thought of someone which I was fervently praying, but, no, it was me, And not at once but over a period of time, I saw my deceptive habits of hypocrisy, half-truths, and fear moving me time and time again against the Holy Spirit’s promptings, because of my prideful nature, raising its ugly head.

There is a cleansing the believer needs to go through of wrong motives and thoughts. I was long overdue. I would cry out to God to use me in circumstance after circumstance, but to no avail, while time after time I would fail.

So, He answered my prayer, by showing me myself, and how to let Him take-over in every instance to wait upon Him.

Now my prayers abide in His Word”, as I pray from spiritual insight, wiping away the cobwebs that get in the way; seeing His Heart’s perspective, in every circumstance, for the future and for the day.

And with eyes wide open and my plans laid still.
This is His consolation, as I become aware of His Love –
His perfect Will: